Badgerland Journal

Harley Davidson is one of the most well-known businesses to come out of Wisconsin, but did you know it all started with four men in a small yard shed? Tune in to find out how Harley-Davidson became the best-known Motorcycle company in the world. We love feedback!

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“Arthur Davidson and Bill Harley.” Wisconsin Historical Society, January 5, 2016. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS14769.

Bosse, Paula. “Chasing Pancho Villa on the Border in Tricked-out Harley-Davidsons - ca. 1916.” High Shrink, September 7, 2020. https://highshrink.com/2017/07/18/chasing-pancho-villa-on-the-border-in-tricked-out-harley-davidsons-ca-1916/?fbclid=IwAR2kisU-meLWULV3mlLjN8kX2f1y_uiVnUmNX6hfiJxSGzIljLShnycYN4Y.

Harley Davidson: Making of a Legend. Harley Davidson Making of a Legend. Crackle, 2021. https://www.crackle.com/watch/cdf80db8-f5f9-4b41-a728-48746acbbc05/harley-davidson:-making-of-a-legend.

“Harley-Davidson--Only 34 Years Ago.” Wisconsin Historical Society, January 1, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Newspaper/BA9373.

“History of the Men Who Founded Harley-Davidson.” Harley-Davidson Insurance, February 23, 2023. https://www.insurance.harley-davidson.com/the-open-road/profiles/founders-of-harley-davidson.

The Machines That Built America: Harley-Davidson Transforms Motorcycles Forever. YouTube. History, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT__Ai80-7k.

O’Keeffe, Kara. “Harley Davidson Motor Company Factory No. 7 Listed in the State Register of Historic Places.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 27, 2020. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS16429.

Peoplepill.com. “E. J. Pennington.” peoplepill.com. Accessed June 13, 2023. https://peoplepill.com/people/e-j-pennington.

Staff, Motorcycle.com. “Harley-Davidson Motorcycle History: History of Harley-Davidson.” Motorcycle.com, January 1, 2010. https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-harley-davidson-motorcycle.html.

Van Mieghem, Jan. “American Motorcycles: Harley-Davidson, Polaris’ Victory, and Indian.” The Operations Room, April 22, 2011. https://operationsroom.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/american-motorcycles-harley-davidson-polaris-victory-and-indian/#:~:text=First%20some%20quick%20history%3A%20By,(first%20bike%20in%201905).

“The Wild WWI Stories of Harley-Davidson’s J Series Motorcycles.” Harley-Davidson Insurance. Accessed June 14, 2023. https://www.insurance.harley-davidson.com/the-open-road/profiles/harley-davidsons-j-model.

Did you know that an Eagle lived in the Wisconsin State Capital for 15 years? Old Abe became the mascot for the Wisconsin 8th infantry during the Civil War and saw thirty-seven battles and skirmishes during the war. He became a legendary eagle known throughout the country. Tune in to find out more about Old Abe. Don't forget to keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Sources:

“Chief Sky, Now Blind and Helpless Tells Story of ‘Old Abe’ War Eagle.” Eau Claire Leader, March 27, 1914.

WHS Online Collection https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/quiner/id/19464

Driggs, George. “Pets of the Regiment - ‘Old Abe.’” Essay. In Opening of the Mississippi or Two Years Campaign In The Southwest, 35–43. Madison, WI: W.J. Park & Co, 1864.

WHS Online Collection https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/quiner/id/23552

“Famed Bald Eagle Mascot ‘Old Abe’ Confirmed as Male DNA Testing of Mascots Feathers Answers 150 Year Old Debate .” Wisconsin Veterans Museum , January 4, 2019. https://wisvetsmuseum.com/famed-bald-eagle-mascot-old-abe-convfirmed-as-male-dna-testing-of-mascots-feathers-answers-150-year-old-debate/#:~:text=Named%20after%20President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%2C%20Old%20Abe%20served%20as%20the,Regiment%20during%20the%20Civil%20War.&text=Blake%20spoke%20of%20Old%20Abe,eagle%20was%20actually%20a%20female.

McLain, David. “The Story of Old Abe.” Wisconsin Magazine of History 8, no. 4 (June 1925): 408–14. https://doi.org/https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/wmh/id/4988.

“Old Abe the War Eagle: Road to Camp Randall.” Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Accessed January 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20160624080918/http://www.wisvetsmuseum.com/exhibitions/online/old_abe/?ID=32.

“Old Abe, the War Eagle.” Wisconsin Historical Society, October 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2541.

Roaring Dan Seavey was as colorful of a character as they come. He had connections to the Pabst family and the Chicago Mob. Adventure followed him where ever he went, but he was most well known for being the only man charged with Piracy on the Great Lakes. Tune in to listen to the life of Dan Seavey. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Dan Seavey, April 2014. https://hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/%202012/04/DanSeavey.pdf.

Schmitt, Gavin. Great Lakes Pirate: The Adventures of Roaring Dan Seavey. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2021.

What in the World is a Hodag? It's a demon, water panther and mascot all rolled into one. Tune in to find out how this mythical creature became synonymous Rhinelander Wisconsin. Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Sources:

Emily Bright, Emily. “The Legend of the Hodag.” Wisconsin Life, January 19, 2018. https://wisconsinlife.org/story/the-legend-of-the-hodag/.

“The Hodag.” Wisconsin Historical Society, May 26, 2020. https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS16353.

Kortenhof, Kurt. “Hodag.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2321.

Uhlig, Keith. “Hodag: The Outlandish Story of Wisconsin’s Mythical Beast, on Its 125th Birthday.” Wausau Daily Herald, October 17, 2018. https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2018/10/03/rhinelander-hodag-outlandish-story-wisconsins-mythical-beast-125-anniversary/806888002/.

“Who Discovered the Hodag?” Explore Rhinelander, August 25, 2022. http://explorerhinelander.com/what-is-the-hodag/who-discovered-the-hodag/.

We have had our first listeners request! Today we are diving into how Fish Fries became so popular in Wisconsin.

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“Fish Fry Fridays, 1997-2010.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 7, 2013. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS3968.

Johnson, Samantha. “History in the Eating: Popularity of Fish Fries Has Remained Steadfast for Decades.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 29, 2016. https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/food/history/2016/04/29/history-in-the-eating-popularity-of-fish-fries-has-remained-steadfast-for-decades/84960658/.

Ripp, Mel. “A Brief History of the Wisconsin Fish Fry.” Travel Wisconsin. Accessed June 14, 2023. https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/restaurants/a-brief-history-of-the-wisconsin-fish-fry.

Lake Michigan has taken countless ships throughout it's history. Despite this, ships would attempt journeys from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Chicago in the early winter months in order to bring Christmas trees to the city. One captain became so well known for this journey, he was given the nickname Captain Santa. However, his last journey ended in tragedy. Tune in to find out more about the history of the Christmas Tree Ship! Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Sources:

“Capt Herman ‘Frank’ Schuenemann (1865-1912).” Find a Grave. Accessed June 15, 2023. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15624716/herman-schuenemann.

Longacre, Glenn. “The Christmas Tree Ship.” National Archives and Records Administration, Winter 2006. https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2006/winter/christmas-tree.html.

“Rouse Simmons.” Wisconsin Shipwrecks. Accessed June 15, 2023. https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/541.

Trowbridge, Tony. “When the Christmas Spirit Foundered in Chicago.” Chicago Tribune, December 18, 2019. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-per-flash-christmastreeship-1111-20121111-story.html.

Old Fashioneds and fish fries are a staple at any supper club in Wisconsin. Have you ever wondered where Wisconsin got its unique spin on the Old Fashioned?

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If you are in search of a muddler check out Silverwood Arts

Sources:

“The History of Brandy.” The Brandy Bar + Cocktails, April 6, 2018. https://thebrandybar.com/brandy-history/.

Leahy, Colleen. “Wisconsin’s Old-Fashioned with a Twist.” Wisconsin Public Radio, April 18, 2019. https://www.wpr.org/wisconsins-old-fashioned-twist.

Nowakowski, Audrey. “The Real Story Behind Why Wisconsinites Drink Brandy Old Fashioneds.” WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee’s NPR, October 19, 2020. https://www.wuwm.com/podcast/spotlight/2020-10-19/the-real-story-behind-why-wisconsinites-drink-brandy-old-fashioneds.

Zielinski, Tyler. “In Wisconsin, a Distinctive Take on an Old Fashioned Cocktail.” Wine Enthusiast, May 8, 2023. https://www.winemag.com/2021/01/21/wisconsin-old-fashioned-recipe/.

Have you ever wondered why Wisconsin is the Badger State? It isn't because of the abundance of badgers... Join Badgerland Journal as we discuss how we became the Badger State. Let us know what you think on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Did you know 39 communities throughout Wisconsin housed German prisoners of war during WWII? Tune in to learn about these POWs and the relationships they had with different Wisconsin communities.

Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]

Did you know 39 communities throughout Wisconsin housed German prisoners of war during WWII? Tune in to learn about how they got here and how they played an important role they played in filling the labor shortage caused by the war.

Let us know what you think on Facebook, Instagram, or send an email [email protected]