River History~  

Leroy Gates was the first known Dells River Pilot  in the Wisconsin Dells.  He once wrote an ad in the Kilbourn Newspaper: "For Recreation Resort to the Dells!  Where depressed spirits can be alleviated, gloom and melancholy soon be dispelled, and the mind become greatly invigorated.  LEROY GATES has purchased a pleasure boat for the purpose of penetrating the numerous occult caves of the Dells."  It is said that Gates wore a Prince Albert coat and patent leather shoes.  He carved and painted onto a cliff in the Narrows: Leroy Gates, Dells and river pilot 1847-59.        

Pictured on the right you will see a group of ladies with parasols and gentlemen with umbrellas making it's way down the Wisconsin River on one of the first Upper Dells river tours.  Yes folks, the customers had to do all the rowing!                                                                                      

 

Pictured to the right you can see the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul passenger train on the Kilbourn railroad bridge around 1880.  The Apollo No. 1 steamboat can be seen beneath the bridge.  Various launch boats are along the Wisconsin River shore. 

The first railroad bridge across the Wisconsin River at the Dells was built in 1857 by the LaCrosse and Milwaukee Railroad at a reported cost of $100,000.  Byron Kilbourn's bridge was destroyed by fire in 1866.  The second bridge was also made of wood.  It stood until it was replaced by an iron model in 1877.  Trains ran on the upper deck, while wagons & pedestrians passed below.  Although built primarily to carry railroad traffic, the Dells bridge became one of the first and busiest automobile bridges in the state bringing in tourists from all over.

 

Acknowledgements:

Many thanks to those who helped us with our "River History" page.   We would like to thank...

The H.H.  Bennett Studio/Wisconsin Historical Society
All photos and the majority of the information listed is in courtesy of the H.H. Bennett Studio/Wisconsin Historical Society.  We highly advise all of those interested in this page to go directly to the H.H. Bennett Studio while visiting the Dells.  They have a remarkable selection of river history and old-time photography.  A Wisconsin Dells stop you don't want to miss!  

We would also like to thank The Dells Country Historical Society for their book, "Others Before you." And Sara Rath for her wonderful book named, "Pioneer Photographer, Wisconsin's H.H. Bennett." Both copies are  filled with fascinating Dells history and well-worn in our house.

~Fleet of Rowboats~

One of the first Upper Dells River Tours!

 

 

 

~Bennett's Leap~

Henry Hamilton Bennett made photographic history in 1886 when he took this photo of his son Ashley leaping through the air across the top of Stand Rock.  Using a rubber band-powered shutter he named, "The Snapper," Bennett became a pioneer in stop-action photography.  Nineteenth century audiences were awed by the technical marvel.

H.H. Bennett's photographs, and their distribution in catalogs throughout the eastern US, made the Dells of the Wisconsin River a tourist destination known for it's scenic beauty. 

 

 

     
~Kilbourn Bridge~

The first railroad bridge across the Wisconsin
River was built in Wisconsin Dells in 1857.

 

Take our 1 hour tour and learn
fascinating legends & lore about the
Wisconsin Dells & the beautiful
river that runs through it!