About



My name is Garrett Wall. At the time of making this website, I am a full time student at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. I major in Media Arts and Game Development and I grew up in Darlington, Wisconsin.

Darlington, Wisconsin; a small,quaint town situated in southwest Wisconsin on the banks of the Pecatonica River. It is the county seat of Lafeyette County and has a population of about 2,000 people. It is in this town that I grew up, went to school, and made friends.

Because the town is very sentimental to me, I decided to take my knoledge of web development to commemorate the history of the town that raised me. While it looks like a regular town, it has a rich and vibrant history that is portrayed here through photography. These pictures capture what makes Darlington the town it is from major events to moments that capture what it means to live in a small town.

Main street circa 1920s.
Livery

The Livery

A livery was a business that took care of people's horses. This is not to be confused with a blacksmith who would make horse shoes This picture shows some townsfolk including a little girl in front of the local livery.




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Old Bridge

Old Bridge

The town of Darlington is split in half by the Pecatonica River and the easiest way to get to the other side of town has always been to take the bridge from downtown into Galena St. This was the original bridge that stood there; much different from the one that stands today.


Taken 1887


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Original School

Original School

Going to school was a normal part of every childs life in Southwest Wiscoinsin whether you live in the country or in town. There used to be a series of small schools that housed a few grades for those who lived in the country and the surrounding villages. If you lived in town, you could go to a bigger school much like the school in this picture.


Taken circa late 1800s


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Main Street 1880

Main Street 1880s

Darlington is known as the "Pearl of the Pecatonica." This is because there was a flourishing button business that was driven by the abundance of oyster shells that they would use to make buttons. The railroad ran through downtown Darlington. For these reasons, Darlington was a huge hub for business for Lafeyette County.


Taken circa late 1800s


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Original Court House

Original Courthouse

Darlington is the county seat of Lafeyette County. It was decided when they drew an "X" through a map of our county which is rectangle shaped. The middle of the "X" landed on Darlington (word around town is Shullsburg is still a little ticked about it). This is the original courthouse that stood next to where the current one is.


Taken circa 1890


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Playing Croquet

Croquet

Darlington is a great town to live. There the pace is slower, more laid back. We have a police force that always upholds the law and gives back to the community. This has always been true. In this picture it shows the law enforcement relaxing the best way a man of the law knows, by playing their daily game of croquet.


Taken circa 1890


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Fine gents in a bar

Men in a bar

Just as it is today, many Wisconsinites enjoy to go to bars and pubs whether it be for a quick drink, to spend time with friends, or to forget your problems for a little while. This picture shows bar patrons and the bartender posing for a picture.




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Passing Train

Train

For a long time, the railroad was the lifeblood of not only Darlington but the whole county. There was a station at every village and town. These trains brought in goods, sent out goods, and transported people from town to town. This picture shows one of the trains passing by.


Taken circa 1900


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Flood

Flooding

In the city of Darlington, it isn't a question of if the Pecatonica floods but when. It is almost an anual event. Some years are worse than others. When the river floods, it adds nutrients to the soil and makes it more difficult for townsfolk to get across town.


Taken 1906


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Old Court 1907

Out With the Old, In With the New

In 1905, construction began on a new courthouse for the city of Darlington. The courthouse was to be on the other side of town originally, however they decided to put it next to the old courthouse. The old courthouse no longer stands. This picture shows the old courthouse in front with the nearly finished courthouse in the back.


Taken 1907


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Courthouse Steps

Courthouse Steps

In 1905, construction began on a new courthouse for the city of Darlington. The courthouse was to be on the other side of town originally, however they decided to put it next to the old courthouse. The old courthouse no longer stands. This picture shows the old courthouse in front with the nearly finished courthouse in the back.


Taken 1905


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Finishing Touches

Finishing Touches

This picture, taken on a hill overlooking the town shows the old lumber yard (now a public campground), the peaks of houses in a residential area, and the courthouse on its final stages of construction. Notice that the clocks are missing for they have yet to be installed.


Taken 1907


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Fire of 1917

Fire

As smoke rises in main street Darlington, an old man watches as townsfolk scramble to put out the fires and the flame consumes several brick and wood buildings.


Taken 1917


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Fire of 1917

Aftermath

In 1917 a fire ravaged through downtown Darlington taking out several blocks. This picture shows the aftermath of the destructive fire.


Taken 1917


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Original Grandstand

The Grandstand

The fairgrounds in Darlington are a huge place for events whether it is the county fair, relay for life, stock car races, or the Beowulf Party (what happens there, stays there). This picture shows the original grandstand in which patrons could watch horse races and rodeos. Today there is a more up to date grandstand where people watch stock car races, rodeos, and live concerts (if country is your thing).


Taken circa early 1900s


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Main Street 1917

Main Street 1915

This is Main Street Darlington 1915. Cars have started making their appearence in this decade and the use of the highway would eventually make the railroad that ran through town obsolete. The old train route is now a senic trail where people can take their dirt bikes, ATV's, bycicles out for a ride (walking is cool too).


Taken 1915


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Soldier's Camp 1912

Soldier's Camp

Today on mainstreet there are two memorials to our veterans. One is the civil war memorial and the other is a more recent memorial that lists the names of those who served. This picture shows soldiers setting up camp as an exercise in order to be ready to defend our country.


Taken 1912


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Main Street 1920

Main Street 1920

Main Street 1920. The widespread use of cars called for paved roads. Here you can see a neatly paved Main Street.


Taken circa 1920


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Olson's Hotel

Olson's Hotel

This picture shows the interior of one of the hotels around int the early 1900s; the Olson Hotel. This hotel is no longer in business.


Taken circa1920


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Letterman's Club 1929

Letterman's Club 1929

Darlington takes pride in its Redbirds. This picture shows the lettermans club in the year of 1929. Rather than wearing sleek leather coats. These gentlemen show off their stylish letterman sweaters.


Taken 1929


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Racing

Racing

It is hard not to know when the stock car races are taking place; everyone can hear them. This picture shows a race taking place down at the fairgrounds.


Taken circa1920s


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Racing

Eating Dust

Picture of the back of the cars in the same race.


Taken circa 1920s


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Munincipal

Munincipal Building

The current municipal building used to be a school that housed the elementary and middle school grades. This picture shows the construction of the school. Today there are offices for local government as well as a fitness center, a daycare, and a gymnasium.


Taken circa 1930s


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Soldiers

Soldiers Posing

A picture of local recruits posing for a picture by what appers to be the old lumber yard.


Taken 1939


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Courthouse 1942

Soldiers Posing

The courthouse in the middle of World War II.


Taken 1942


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Play 1947

Soldiers Posing

Darlington's schools and community have always shown an intrest in theater be it the High School Play, Musical, or the Pop Factory Players. This picture shows the 1947 Production of "Brother Goose."


Taken 1947


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Champs

Southwest Champs 1953

Everyone in Darlington takes footbal very seriously. Everyone comes out of school and sometimes work early just to see the Redbirds play against other high school teams and to hear the pep band play on the sidleines and during their halftime show. This is some artwork taken from a pamphlet for a football game.


Taken 1953


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Legion Parade

American Legion Parade

This picture shows an American Legion Parade held May of 1955. This picture includes the Junior High Band.


Taken 1955


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Santa's Shack

Santa's Schack

In Darlington during Christmas time, Santa would come to town in the back of a firetruck and would hand out bags of candy to children. Then the children would be treated to a free movie. This picture shows the temporary of residence for Santa who would visit every Saturday afternoon.


Taken circa late 1950s early 1960s


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