Pipe, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pipe, Wisconsin
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Pipe, Wisconsin
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 Pipe, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Pipe, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Fond du Lac County |
| Elevation | 804 ft (245 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip codes |
53049
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| Area code(s) | 920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1571550 |
Pipe, Wisconsin is a small community in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. It's not an official city or town, but a group of homes and businesses. You can find Pipe about one mile east of Lake Winnebago, a large and beautiful lake.
Contents
History of Pipe
Early Days and Native American Village
Long ago, in 1817, a traveler named Samuel A. Storrow visited this area. He saw a Native American village near Lake Winnebago. The village was home to the Fals Avoines people, who were known for gathering wild rice. Storrow described it as a beautiful place, well-chosen for its warmth and good soil. The land showed signs of being farmed for a long time. This village was called Calumet, which means "Pipe."
How Pipe Got Its Name
Pipe used to be known as Calumet Harbor. In 1837, a man named George White came to the area. He opened a hotel and bar along a main road called Military Road. White helped move the town of Calumet from Calumet County to Fond du Lac County. When this happened in 1842, he became the first leader of the town.
The Famous Stagecoach Inn
In 1846, Henry Fuhrman built a large stagecoach inn. This inn became a very important stop on Military Road. It was a three-story building. The second floor had a dance floor, which was a popular spot for young people. The third floor was a place for guests to sleep, especially fishermen.
Later, in the 1940s, Tom Brown bought the building and named it Club Harbor. He added a modern sign and a big dining hall. Club Harbor was a well-known place until it closed in the late 1970s. The building was sold in 2004 and is now called Capone's.
Old Buildings and Businesses
Many old buildings in Pipe have interesting stories. A large brick house built in 1858 still stands today.
The Farmers State Bank was built in 1914. It closed during the Great Depression, a time when many banks struggled. In 1937, the building became a butcher shop owned by the Groeschel family. Later, the Endries family took over. They were known for their special meat cuts and steak sandwiches. They even helped local hunters prepare their wild game. The old bank vault door, made of oak, is still used as the entrance to a meat locker!
Another important building was a concrete block garage. For nearly 50 years, it was run by Edward Halfman. People thought he was the best mechanic in the area. He even assembled new Ford Model T cars that were shipped to his garage in crates. When he retired, he fixed kids' bikes and taught young adults about car care. This building was later taken down to make space for a fire department parking lot.
On another corner, there used to be a small bar and a community hall with a basketball court. These were replaced in the 1980s by a modern bar and grill. The southeast corner of Pipe used to have a grocery and hardware store. It was run by the Schubert family and then the Hemauer family for many years.
Local Businesses Today
Just south of Pipe, you'll find Groeschel Company. This company is a big employer in the area. They work with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. They also make things out of sheet metal.
Wind Power Near Pipe
About two miles east of Pipe is the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm. This is a large farm with many windmills that make electricity. In the past, people thought wind power here might not be worth it. But with new technology and support for clean energy, these windmills now help power homes and businesses.
Getting Around Pipe
Pipe is located right on U.S. Route 151. This road was once called Fort Howard Military Road. It was one of the first marked paths through the wild areas of Wisconsin. Another important road is County Highway W, which runs east and west. This road leads to the shore of Lake Winnebago.
County Highway W ends at Calumet Harbor. This public harbor is a popular spot for fun activities. People enjoy camping there, launching their boats, and even ice fishing in the winter.
