Property Record
279 ESTEY RD/SCALES MOUND RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | VAN MATRE BROTHERS MINE |
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| Other Name: | BADGER MINE |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 74852 |
| Location (Address): | 279 ESTEY RD/SCALES MOUND RD |
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| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Shullsburg |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1827 |
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| Additions: | 1936 |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | mining structure |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Board and Batten |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | THE BADGER MINE IS A TYPICAL LEAD MINE WORKED BY ONE OR TWO MEN. THE MINE WAS WORKED BY THE VAN MATRE BROTHERS,(A) WHO CAME TO SHULLSBURG DURING THE LEAD RUSH BEGINNING IN 1827.(B) THE MINE SHAFT IS 60 FEET DEEP AND THE DRIFTS GO IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION 1/4 MILE.(A) THE MINE HAD A LIFE SPAN OF ABOUT TEN YEARS BEFORE IT WAS FLOODED OUT. THE MINE REMAINED CLOSED FOR 100 YEARS.(A) IN 1936, MAYOR HOESLEY AND DR. HANIFAN PROMOTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD MINE SHAFT ON THE SOUTH EDGE OF BADGER PARK. THE SHAFT AND DRIFTS WERE CLEANED OUT. A STAIRWAY WAS BUILT AND ELECTRIC LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED. GUIDES WERE PROVIDED TO GIVE TOURS.(D) SOME YEARS LATER A MUSEUM BUILT NEAR THE MINE, WHICH FEATURES ARTIFACTS ASSOCIATED WITH MINING, EARLY FARM TOOLS, A GENERAL STORE, A DRUG STORE AND TOY SHOP. IN 1963 THE LAFAYETTE ASSOCIATION OF RETARDED CHILDREN TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MINE AND MUSEUM.(A) IT IS NOW RUN BY THE BADGER HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE CITY.(A) |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. DORIS HODGE, DIRECTOR AND TOUR GUIDE OF BADGER MINE AND MUSEUM. B. "COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD," 1901, P. 215. C. "SEQ. HISTORY OF SHULLSBURG, 1827-1977," P. 14. D. "LAFAYETTE COUNTY BICENTENNIAL BOOK," 1977, P. 163. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |