Horn Feeds, Inc.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

This grain handling facility at 728 Clarendon Avenue in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, was built around the turn-of-the-century.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The granary was originally operated by Buell & Goodman.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

It was built adjacent to the Wisconsin Central Railroad tracks, providing farmers with a method to ship their products to distant markets.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

Over the years, the facility was expanded to handle other material, such as with these tanks to handle a variety of fuel supplies.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

Additional newer tanks are at the northeast corner of the property.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The grain handling operation has also been modernized over years, with newer buildings added alongside the historic wooden structure.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

These tall metal grain silos form the central part of the modern facility.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

Structures were added at various times, creating a disjointed appearance.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

This shed provides covered parking for grain trucks.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

This brick building is the public entrance to the business.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

This facility has been Horn Feeds, Inc. since 1978.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

This structure appears to be fuel-related, with a Mobil Pegasus sign and gas pumps outside.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The fuel tanks at the northeast corner of the property are a fueling station.

Horn Feeds, Inc. Volvo FE6 in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

Based on the Volvo FL first introduced in the summer of 1985, the Volvo FE6 was introduced for North America in 1986. Usually powered by a Volvo TD63 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, they were also available with a lower-priced 6.6-liter Caterpillar 3116. Also available was the FE7 model, with a larger 7-liter Volvo TD73 diesel engine for heavy-duty applications. The Volvo FE received a minor facelift for 1992, with the front turn signals moving to the corners of the bumper, and continued to be offered in North America through 1998.

Horn Feeds, Inc. in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

These small grain bins sat at the northeast corner of the property.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Co. Mukwonago Lumberyard

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The W.S. Heddles Lumber Company was established on this site at 616 Grand Avenue in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, in 1897. It was the third lumberyard to open in Mukwonago within 10 years. It was purchased by the Alexander Lumber Company of Chicago, Illinois in December 1924. Their first manager at this location was Peter Christisen.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

John Alexander was the youngest of the Alexander family who came to Wisconsin from Scotland in the 1870s. In the 1880s he was hired by the Stewart family of Wausau, Wisconsin, to open a lumberyard in Aurora, Illinois. In 1891, John Alexander opened his own lumberyard in Aurora, the Alexander Lumber Co., with the help of partners Tom Brittingham and Joe Hixon and a $5,000 loan from the Continental Illinois Bank of Chicago.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The company continued to expand and by the 1920s Alexander operated more than 100 lumberyards. In 1929, he bought out his partners and acquired the Brittingham & Hixon lumberyards in Wisconsin, which he continued to operate using the Brittingham & Hixon name as a subsidiary.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

During the Great Depression, Alexander continued to expand by purchasing additional lumberyards. His son, John Alexander, Jr., was named president of the company in 1932, and starting in 1940 the day-to-day operations were managed by vice-president Otto Unteed. John Alexander, Sr. died in 1944 and his son assumed full control of the company.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

The Soo Line passenger train depot was located next to the lumberyard at 610 Grand Avenue. It was demolished after the Soo Line discontinued passenger service on the line in 1961, and the lumberyard appears to have expanded onto the former depot property.

Brittingham & Hixon Lumber Company in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001

Following the retirement of Otto Unteed in 1966, control was passed on to the third generation as Walter Alexander became company president, a position he would hold for 45 years until his retirement in 2014. This lumberyard closed between May and September of 2008.

Mukwonago Railroad Bridges

Bridge over State Highway 83/South Rochester Street in Mukwonago, Wisconsin on November 20, 2001

The Wisconsin Central Railroad completed its line through Mukwonago, Wisconsin, between Chicago and Waukesha in 1885, and this trestle over Wisconsin State Highway 83/South Rochester Street was built in 1920. This bridge was the last known rail-related historical resource in Mukwonago when it was replaced by a through plate girder bridge by 2007.

Bridge over the Mukwonago River in Mukwonago, Wisconsin on November 20, 2001

Just south of the bridge over Wisconsin State Highway 83/South Rochester Street is a deck plate girder bridge over the Mukwonago River.

Railroad Bridges in Mukwonago, Wisconsin on November 20, 2001

The Wisconsin Central Railroad was reorganized as the Wisconsin Central Railway in 1897 and was leased in 1909 by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway, which itself was controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway. On September 1, 1944, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway was reorganized as the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. The Wisconsin Central Railroad entered receivership in 1932, declared bankruptcy in 1944, and was reorganized as the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company in 1954. On January 1, 1961, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad and the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company were merged with the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad to form the Soo Line Railroad. On October 11, 1987, the Soo Line spun off the former Wisconsin Central line to the new independent Wisconsin Central, Ltd. The Wisconsin Central was purchased by the Canadian National Railway on October 9, 2001.

Mukwonago River Bridge Footings in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, on November 20, 2001