Appleton Post Office, 1876

 In the Appleton Crescent of 9/16/1876 there is a notice regarding the opening of the city’s new post office which was located on the west side of N. Oneida and Mid Way.  The missive reported that nearly the entire population of the city turned out to receive their mail and goes on to laud A. L. Smith for his lavish expenditure on the building.  Also mentioned in the report is the work of contractor Louis Bates who faithfully carried out the design of Architect William Waters of Oshkosh. 

The new Appleton post office bore a slight resemblance to the Oshkosh post office designed by Mr. Waters the year before.  The Appleton office was a study in classical architecture, five arched openings grace the first floor of the front elevation.  While three arches filled the center of the second floor flanked by windows.  An elaborate cornice capped the façade with a pediment center on which was inscribed “1876”.

The Residence of S. K. Wambold

Appleton in the latter part of the 19^th century was well established as a center of industry, commerce, government and education all of which made for a vibrant community.  Captains of industry grew wealthy and built dwelling that displayed their status.  One such person was S. K. Wambold, an entrepreneur and civic leader he served as alderman for many years.  His business venture included the Briggs and Wambold sash and door factory, the Lawrence flour mill and ultimately general manager and treasurer of the Fox River Paper Company. 

On May 29^th, 1879, the Appleton Post printed a short notice announcing that Mr. Wambold was to build a new house on the corner of Lawrence and Durkee streets and William Waters of Oshkosh was to draw the plans.  By that time Mr. Waters had designed many building in the city and had gained a reputation as thorough and amiable.  The house was a large frame structure with a brick veneer.  The front porch wrapped around the side allowing access to another door.  Double windows on both floors filled the space below a gable on the front elevation.  A hipped roof caped the building with decorative iron work along the ridge.  Inevitably the neighborhood changed and was the death knell for the residential structures in the area.

Vilas County Courthouse

Vilas county was partitioned from Oneida county in 1893 and was named for William F. Vilas a onetime senator from Wisconsin.  Almost immediately plans for a courthouse were called for.  A notice in the Neenah Times in 1893 stated William Waters was awarded the contract to plan the new $15,000 structure.  The courthouse was ready for occupancy the next year and was a symmetrical Romanesque design.  The building was of limestone blocks with brown stone courses and trim.  A central tower was flanked by identical wings of two stories with gable ends which featured fan lights.  For whatever reason the building was replaced in 1936.