A nostalgic look at 'Forgotten Delavan'
Margaret Plevak |
February 3, 2015
Delavan residents walk down Walworth Avenue in a silent march mourning the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The photo is one of dozens in "Forgotten Delavan," a new book by local historian Patti Marsicano. "Just the fact that our community came together to mourn the loss of Dr. King, I thought that image and the story were moving," Marsicano said. Photo from "Forgotten Delavan," courtesy WGY
A man walks past Ray Morrissey's Bar/Badger Appliance/The Pub in Delavan. "I love the fact that you can see the old stuffed wolf in the window of Ray Morrissey's bar--look closely," said Marsicano. "On the Facebook site "You know you're from Delavan Darien If..." page, there has been a good deal of conversation about this block and these taverns." Photo from "Forgotten Delavan"
The Capitol Ballroom once stood on the northeast corner of South Shore Drive and County Highway O in the town of Delavan. It was built in 1929 but closed after the 1939 season because of steep competition from other local dance halls. "To the left of the building is a billboard advertising the Highlands subdivision," Marsicano said. "And in this photo you can see the lake behind the ballroom and it looks much closer than it does from that viewpoint today." Photo from "Forgotten Delavan," courtesy of WGY.
Marsicano's new book, "Forgotten Delavan" can be purchased at stores around Delavan or through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Photo courtesy of Patti Marsicano
The A& W restaurant located at the corner of Wright and Racine streets in Delavan. "It started as a shack," Marsicano said. Photo from "Forgotten Delavan"
Craig's Drive In once was located in the Delavan inlet along Wisconsin Highway 50. A glimpse of the Davy's Brothers Tavern is seen in the background on the left. The tavern is home to the Waterfront pub and eatery today. "I have heard so many stories ofa ll the businesses that used to be in the Inlet, but there is nothing left to show that," Marsicano said. "Even though I couldn't find a photo of Craig's Drive In iteself, this image of the sign and a glimpse of Davy's Brothers Tavern in the background is a great memory jogger for those who have been there." Photo from "Forgotten Delavan," courtesy of Craig Craig
"I have heard so many stories of the Tiger Lounge, and even though the building is still there, the front is so surprisingly different with the glass block and neon. All the business advertising makes you think the inside will be much larger than it actually was," Marsicano said. Photo from "Forgotten Delavan"
Tower Park has been a longtime landmark in downtown Delavan. "Look at the buildings in the background and the 'sidewalks' on the south side of the street," Marsicano said. "So many little details that are incredible to look at and take you back to that time period." Photo from "Forgotten Delavan"
An old photo reveals the inside of the auditorium on the Assembly grounds. "This is the only photograph of the inside of this building that I am aware of," Marsicano said. "How exciting is that?" Photo from "Forgotten Delavan"
Marsicano
DELAVAN — Among the dozens of black-and-white photographs of Delavan lakeshore resorts, downtown street scenes and landmarks that fill the pages of Patti Marsicano's new book, “Forgotten Delavan,” readers have found some personal memories.
“When I talked to people at book signings, each of them got excited about a different photo,” Marsicano said. “There was one picture — I had to laugh — of The Log Cabin.”
The photo, dating back to the late 1960s or early 1970s, shows the bar's exterior and parking lot, where a row of cars sit.
“(Former Delavan mayor) Ron Henriott laughed when he saw this picture and told me, 'That's my car,'” she said. Other people also have spotted their own former cars in the book's photos.
“Forgotten Delavan” is Marsicano's second book. Her first, “Delavan,” came out in 2004. Both were put out by Arcadia Publishing as part of its “Images of America” series, and both are heavy on photos.
“The first book was an overview of Delavan, and this one is nostalgia,” she said. “Whatever people's ages, from their 30s and 40s, up to their 70s and 80s, even 90s, they can pick up this book and get excited about a picture they're going to see that will bring back memories.”
Memories like those triggered by photos of Eat 'N Time, which got its start in 1946 and was at one time a popular hangout for local high school students, who congregated there over burgers and shakes.
Read the complete story HERE.
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