Bethesda Park Historical Tour

Bethesda Park Spring Water launches Waukesha's "Springs Era"

Bethesda Park became official city property in 1937, but its role in the city dates back to 1868.  Colonel Richard Dunbar discovered the “miraculous healing powers” of the Bethesda Mineral Spring in 1868 when he visited his in-laws.  He had recently been diagnosed with diabetes and was overcome with thirst while visiting his sister-in-law’s property. He drank six tumblers of water from a nearby spring, rested under an oak tree and then drank six more.  He felt he was cured. He and his wife purchased the spring from his sister-in-law and advertised his cure back east as “Dunbar’s Wonderful Discovery - Bethesda Mineral Spring.” 


1

Original Bottling Plant Location

Col. Dunbar needed a place to prepare the barrels, demijohns and bottles of water for sale and for shipment. Early photos show the barrels stacked around the spring. One photo from 1871 showed a bottling plant/office located approximately where a bathhouse was later built.

See #5 for the second location of the Bottling Plant.

2

Bethesda Spring

According to early reports, the natural mineral spring housed in this octagonal building was used by Native Americans before European settlement. From the arrival of the pioneer settlers in 1834 until 1868 it was an unremarkable spring on land used for pasturing horses. In 1868, a man named Richard Dunbar was told by his New York doctor that the was dying of incurable diabetes. While getting his affairs in order, he was called to Waukesha by the death of his mother-in- law. During this visit, his sister-in-law showed him the land she had recently purchased. Dunbar was overcome with thirst, and drank 6 tumblers of water from the spring. He rested under a nearby oak tree and then drank 6 more glasses. He immediately felt better. He returned to the spring the following day and drank the water again. He felt he was cured of his diabetes.

Dunbar and his wife Catherine purchased the spring from her sister. Dunbar began advertising his cure as “Dunbar’s Wonderful Discovery.” Soon others came to Waukesha seeking a cure.

Over the years, several springhouses were constructed to protect the spring. The most ornate structure opened in 1891. It was demolished in 1949 and replaced by the present concrete block structure.

Bethesda was the first spring to bottle Waukesha water (1869) and the last. In 1997 bottling operations ceased.

3

Dunbar Oak Tree

When Dunbar rested under an oak tree in 1868, little did he realize how much that tree would mean to Waukesha. After his death in 1878, each year a portrait of Dunbar was placed on the tree on the anniversary of his discovery. At the time the tree was decorated with hundreds of American flags and the flags of all nations.

In 1991 a windstorm toppled the tree. It was estimated to be more than 300 years old at the time. Pieces of the tree were distributed to all of the schools in the district with one currently residing at the EB Shurts Environmental Center.

The city forestry department secretly rescued several shoots from the tree the following year. The shoots were grafted at a nursery resulting in the creation of several exact genetic copies of the Dunbar Oak.

In 2006, one of the trees (dubbed “Baby Dunbar’ or “Son of Dunbar”) was planted in the exact location of the original. Fourth grade students used water from Bethesda Spring to help the tree grow. The tree is still growing in the park - a tribute to the history of Bethesda Spring.

4

Five Springs surrounding Bethesda

After his miraculous cure, Dunbar returned to his home in Washington D.C. He suffered a relapse the following January and visited his New York doctor. Dunbar wrote:

“He (Dr. Parker) then told me there would have been a foot of grass on my grave if it had not been for that water and then advised me to send for a cask of the water. I told him there were several other springs adjacent to the spring from which I drank and that my friends might make a mistake. One of these springs was twenty feet from the Bethesda on the same level and boiling up out of the earth; on the other side, about fifty feet, was another large spring, boiling. I told him I would go to Waukesha. He said that was well and keep him posted on the effect of the water on me. If it had the same effect as before, it was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard of, and if it could be purchased, to spare no time in obtaining it. I arrived in Waukesha. In due time I hastened to the spring, and I found the same effect as before. I, then, made the beneficial effects of the water known, and people crowded here, drank the water and were healed.”

“I called the spring Bethesda, because the Lord was merciful to me in leading me to the healing fount. The word Bethesda signifies the house of mercy and was the name of a pool at Jerusalem, which had five porticoes, piazzas or covered walks around it.  The five springs encircling the pool of Bethesda, I compared to the five porches at the ancient pool - the five porticoes, or covered walks, all are built. Of those springs, so far, we find but one curative; the other four I filled, as they were worthless. What those curative properties are seems to be beyond the comprehension of all scientists. I drank of the modern Bethesda; I was healed of an incurable disease, one that baffled the skill of the most scientific men, at home and abroad.”

There are no photos of the actual surrounding springs, but they are recorded on early maps. But, even that is inconsistent. The 1859 and 1873 maps showed only Bethesda. The 1871 map showed the 5 springs. There are also photos of the porticos or gazebos Dunbar built around those springs.

As Dunbar mentioned, he felt that only Bethesda had curative properties, so he had the other springs filled, and all trace of them is lost to history.

5

Pond behind the Spring

When Richard Dunbar drank water from Bethesda Spring, the excess spring water drained into a small pond which in turn emptied into the Fox River. It is not known when the pond was lined with stones and improved, but is was done prior to 1868. Early photos prove this. The shape and size of the pond changed through the years. Early maps show that it was located behind and to the right of spring if one is standing on Dunbar Ave. At one point it appears that there was an island in the pond and at another it appears that there was a small “peninsula” in place of the island.

Another interesting feature of the pond was that concrete letters were placed upon the bank. “1868 Bethesda 18” was featured in white. The end year was changed each year - thus giving us the ability to date photos which show the pond.

At some point in the mid 20th century the pond was filled with dirt and eliminated. This was done to prevent water from backing up into the spring during floods. Today there is no evidence that points to this pond.

6

Bath House (used for concerts, baths, sales)

The 1874 and 1880 Bird’s Eye View maps shows a bath house (Bath Rooms) at the entrance to the park at the corner of West Ave. and Dunbar Ave. That site now contains newly built private homes.

In 1880, the second and larger bath house and office building was built in the park - from maps it appears that the bath house replaced the former bottling plant/ office, but this cannot be determined for sure. Photos of this facility show that a porch was used as a bandstand. It also looks like souvenirs were sold from this bath house.

7

Scenic Walkways in Park

Although there is a paved pedestrian/bike path in the present Bethesda Park, there previously were many walks and carriage paths in the park. The present trail has no relation to the previous walkways.

The walks are first shown on the 1880 Bird’s Eye View maps. According to Waukesha historian Gib Koenig, (June 18, 1984 column) the Freeman reported that the Dunbars improved the park:

“From Dodge St. (now West Avenue) to the spring an avenue for pedestrians has been laid out. In the vicinity of the spring there is a maze of walks which are so labyrinthine as to bewilder the casual observer. They have been designated as ‘Grand Promenade, Bachelor’s Walk, Invalid’s Walk, Old Maid’s Walk and Lovers’ Walk.’ Rustic seats have been placed at convenient distances and a bridge thrown across the stream which flows from the spring to the river.”

It is not known who designed the original paths, but we do know that in 1887, W. S. Cleveland’s plan improved the walkways and paths.

8

Tennis Court

The first mention of tennis at Bethesda Park appeared in an August 30, 1883 Freeman ar- ticle:

“The grounds comprise an area of about forty acres, tastefully laid out with numerous walks and avenues, also grounds for various games and amusements, such as croquet, cricket and lawn tennis, where the youthful visitors have an opportunity to enjoy their liberty to the fullest extent, as is attested by their peals of merry laughter.”

In 1887, Long Jones hired H. W. S. Cleveland of Chicago, the man who had designed South Park in that city, to create a design for Bethesda Park. Cleveland surveyed the park into fifty foot squares and devised a more attractive layout of the paths, fountains, gardens, etc. Cleveland also designed croquet and tennis courts, popular games of the day. It is believed that the tennis court in the park sits at the same site.

9

Dunbar's Bethesda Hotel Cornerstone Monument

In 1870, convinced that the thousands of visitors to Bethesda Spring needed a nice place to stay, Dunbar planned to construct a hotel in the park. Village officials were skeptical of his plans and were not cooperative in Dunbar’s efforts to construct the hotel and spa in his new spring park. Nevertheless, Dunbar persisted and in 1871 held a lavish ceremony to dedicate the cornerstone of his planned Bethesda Hotel. Scores of dignitaries - railroad officials, public officals and newspaper reporters gathered in the park for the cornerstone ceremony. The most prominent guest was Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.

By June of 1872, no progress was made and the cornerstone stood by itself near the West Ave. entrance. It was then disclosed that R. C. Robley, proprietor of the successful Railroad Eating House at Minnesota Junction was planning the hotel. He promised that construction would begin in August. But by August, Robley had refunded his advance and it was disclosed that one of the reasons was that Mrs. Dunbar refused to allow Bethesda water to be served in the new hotel.

Harsh criticism of the Dunbars ensued, and they decided to take an extended vacation to Europe. The hurt feelings healed and when the couple returned to Waukesha they were met by a brass band.

The cornerstone stood in the park until at least 1880 (shown on a Birds-Eye-View map). There is only one known image of it - a glass slide at the Waukesha County Museum.

The fate and whereabouts of the cornerstone is unknown.

10

Jones House

Located at 520 Dunbar Ave.

This Queen Ann home was built by in 1895 by the Jones family. Members of the family lived there until the 2010s.

As with many homes, the wood siding of the Jones House was replaced with aluminum, and the single-family residence converted to apartments. Queen Ann shapes like a broad porch, asymmetrical façade, and prominent gabled roof are reminders of architectural tastes of when the house was built 127 years ago.

11

Boarding Houses

Between 1880 and 1887 houses were constructed along the south side of Dunbar Ave. Among these private homes were also several boarding houses. Two of the houses were named on the Sanborn maps - the Wardrobe Boarding House (515 Dunbar Ave. presently 525) and the Lyons Cottage (509 Dunbar Ave. - presently 517). The Lyons Cottage was used as a branch of the Keeley Institute for a short time after a 1914 fire partially destroyed the Waukesha branch located in the old Park View Hotel on St. Paul Ave.

Further to the east on Dunbar Ave., several other boarding houses are shown on Sanborn maps. These included the Davis House, Bethesda Cottage, and Dunbar Ave. Cottage.

12

Terrace Hotel Site

Even though Colonel Dunbar did not succeed in building his Bethesda Hotel in 1871-72, his successor, “Long” Jones was able to construct a hotel for visitors to the park. Known as the Terrace, it stood on Dunbar Ave. where the road jogs to the south. The hotel was built in two phases in 1891 and 1893. It was an impressive building. The dining room was 75’ by 35’ and could hold 200 people. There were rooms for 150 guests. The landing on the elegant main staircase was as large as one room.

Photos show that the same style of concrete letters used at Bethesda park were also used in the grass bank outside the Terrace.

The hotel continued to be operated successfully until the 1920s. In December of 1926, it was announced that the hotel and its contents were going on the auction block.

On Saturday, January 8, 1927, the Terrace was purchased by John B. and John C. Imig of Waukesha. They paid $10,650 for the building, and with back taxes the total was $11,000.

The Imigs needed to clear the hotel of the contents. They held a huge rummage sale in February and March. An ad in the Freeman stated “The Terrace Hotel, Dunbar Ave., will be open all day Saturday to close out what is left in carpets, bed springs, mattresses, stands, chairs, dishes, electric and bathroom fixtures, etc.”

In what would be considered a “green” move today, the building materials were saved as the hotel was demolished. The Imig’s advertised on March 17, “If you want a home built just for you in one of the best locations in Waukesha, we are now ready to take plans for building five houses on the Terrace Hotel site.”

13

Entrance Gate

Alfred Jones had constructed a beautiful entrance gate constructed opposite the Terrace Hotel. Uniformed attendants collected the 5¢ fee when guests entered through the gate. The gate can be seen in many postcards and photographs. Wooden numbers formed the year “1868” on the top of the gate. It is not known when the gate was demolished.

Pictured on the left is an unusual photo of the Bethesda gate showing that it stood at a carriage path entrance to the park. Dunbar Ave. is to the left of the gate. Bethesda Spring is framed in the gate (no tent). The bathhouse and office and pond are also visible.

The second picture shows the beautiful detail of the gate and springhouse in the 1897 photo. Attendants at the gate wore crisp blue uniforms with white gloves. The hats they wore featured the word Bethesda in gilded letters.

The admission price was 5¢, but free to guests at the Terrace Hotel.

14

Bethesda Letters

Located slightly outside of the main park - on the land between Dunbar Ave. and the railroad tracks - is a small berm. On the north and south side of the berm, the word “Bethesda” was formed with concrete and embedded in the earth. The letters were clearly visible to passing trains and were also visible in many photos taken with the camera pointed towards the bottling plant from the spring.

These letters did not change much through the years, but they did suffer from deterioration. In 1984, to honor the sesquicentennial celebration, the springs day committee asked the city to repair the letters. The result was that while the letters became more visible, some were distorted. Since that time, a group of volunteers has kept the letters cleaned of debris and painted.

15

Bethesda Bottling Plant

In 1885, Richard Guenther, president of Bethesda Co. had a new bottling plant constructed outside the park on the south side of the railroad tracks. The water was piped underground - under Dunbar Avenue and under the railroad tracks to the new bottling plant. "Bethesda Bottling Works" was painted in the shingles. Many additions were made to the original plant. In 2021 the oldest part of the plant was demolished, but parts of what later became the Bon Ton Beverage Co. remain.

16

Bridge Footings - Waukesha Beach Electric Railroad

Alfred Long Jones realized that visitors to Waukesha and Bethesda needed more to keep them entertained. In 1894, he and five other Waukesha men - T. E. Ryan, J. Buckley, G. B. Harris and W. P. Sawyer - purchased a parcel of land on the southeast shore of Pewaukee Lake. They developed it into an amusement park, calling it Waukesha Beach. To transport the large groups of people out to “The Beach,” they built an electric railroad that started at the Northwestern Depot in Waukesha.

The original route of the railroad paralled the Northwestern tracks as it traveled west from the depot. It crossed the Fox River and then headed around Waukesha to the west. A few years later, the route was sold to The Milwaukee Electic and Light Co. (TMERL), which rerouted the trains through downtown Waukesha. The original route was abandoned, but the footings of the bridge which once crossed the Fox are still present.

17

Borden's / Thompson Malted Milk Plant

  Thompson’s Malted Milk Company was begun by L. A. Thompson in 1913. Thompson capitalized on Waukesha County’s reputation as Cow County USA.

Milk was brought to the Waukesha plant by farmers in horse-drawn wagons, and even by schoolchildren on their way to classes in the morning.

  School groups frequently toured the plant - and at the conclusion of the tour were treated to a malted milk candy treat.

Thompson was an early advocate of conservation. He advocated with city government and business to clean up the Fox River.

 In 1928, the company merged with the Bordens Milk Co.. For a time, the Waukesha plant manufactured all of Bordens' malted milk products. The entryway to Grede Park off of Wisconsin Ave. has the original columns and gate from Borden's that was part of the entrance to the facility. In 1959, the plant employed 75 people. It closed in the late 1960s.

The site of the former Thompson’s plant is now occupied by an apartment complex.