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Nutterville, Village of

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Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 29 N. - R. 8 E., Sec.11 & 14, Township of Wausau

Founded:
1878

Background:

 Many people purchased land along the ridges after the lumbermen left. Most sold out when German immigrants came into the area. One early farmer who stayed was James W. Nutter, whom the village is named after. He converted his land into a good farm. In 1878, Nutter deeded small tracts of land to non-farmers and a busy little community developed, serving the needs of the settlers.

Post Office Established:
December 21,1899

First Postmaster:
Ernst Schmidt - spelled 'Ernst Schmitt' in another source

About The Post Office:

The P.O. in NE 1/4 Section 14, was closed on July 31, 1901 with service from Wausau.

Churches:

See Township of Wausau

Schools:

See Township of Wausau

Business:

See Stories

Industry:

See Stories

Stories:

Nutterville was a thriving crossroads with a blacksmith shop, post office, grist mill, sawmill, cheese factory, saloon and dance hall. The dance hall was the hub of social life as early as 1878. By 1991, only the Homestead Inn and the old Eric Kell House (site of the blacksmith shop) remained along Hwy. 52 near Cty. Hwy. J.

According to one account, in the early 1900's everybody knew where Nutterville was, and it was "where all the dances were,." The saloon and dance hall had been a constant since 1878. Locals gathered there, walking or riding their horses, for weddings and to hear political candidates. "It was a dark day when 'election beer', provided by those candidates, became illegal." Dances at Nutterville Hall were held on the shaky second floor. Underneath was the ice house and "rats as big as cats" according to the account.