05/24/2026
This post is about our Oconto Falls Main Street historical buildings and businesses. A good Share of our information is from a 2018 history that our own Jim Moynihan wrote from his own recollections and some from Dale Seeling. A big help were the 1904-1911-1919 Sanborn maps which are online.
We used Google maps especially on street view and old pictures. Please help us with your pictures and information which would be gold. Our goal is to reasonably determine the age of the buildings and the businesses that were in them without extensive investigations.
Per online information John and Almira Volk came to Oconto Falls in 1846. Oconto Falls became a village in 1903 and city in 1919. The 1871 Peshtigo fire burned all but two houses and the saw mill in Oconto Falls. It didn't mention that Oconto Falls like other cities was founded on an Indian village.
Keep in mind some of these buildings had very long lives. Some had fires and were rebuilt. Others had remodels, additions, removal, and replacement. Businesses came and gone some moved to other buildings. Several buildings had more than one business at a time. In the 1950's addresses were changed too. Since this is a big post we'll divide it into four separate posts. We are using Jim's original numbering system starting with the east side of the north end of Main Street where BP is to Caldwell Street. We will post historical pictures that We have of the buildings We're highlighting. The Sanborn maps blur badly when increasing them so we will only show one. 1 Presently BP. Had Canning Factory it was built 1911 and closed 1962.
2 Presently K.D.S. Had a canning factory building.
3 Presently S&L Ford Repair and body shop. We're guessing this is where E.J. Balza & Co Pickle Factory was. Shown on the 1911 map and also had Peterson coal shed.
4 Presently S&L Ford. Had Barcome Store and home. (On 1904 map) and moved in 1950's.
5 Presently S&L Ford. Had Graham home. (On 1904 map) moved in 1950's.
6 Presently S&L Ford. Was Peterson Ford. Was Laporte Ford. Was Wolfe. Was Huisam.
Was Landin Brothers. Per older information We have. A very poor picture showing what is then new Oconto Falls Ford Motor Company building: Oconto Falls Herald 6/24/1921.
7 Presently Saint Anthony's Grounds. The Lincoln Public School (on the 1904 map).
Saint Anthony's started in 1891 became a parish in 1896. Saint Anthony's built a School on Franklin Street in 1909 grades 1 thru 8 then built and a newer school in 1957 on Franklin. Saint Anthony's bought the Lincoln school and tore it down in 1958.
8 Presently Saint Anthony's Grounds. Had Tarlton Butcher Shop built in 1933 (1904 map shows a building?). Later Ole's Pizza. It burned in 1983 and Saint Anthony's bought the property.
9 Presently Advanced Dental Health ( shown on 1904 map as a General Store with a single story Meat Market attached. The single story building was removed?) Was Dietz Dental. Kiser Dental Not in order O' Niell Furniture, CO-OP Grocery, D.H.I.A., and Skelgas. May be Original.
10 Presently Coach Light Motel unknown when built. (1904 map shows 3 dwellings/businesses south building states Tailor) North building Hayes Caldwell House. Middle building John Meyer house.
South building had several businesses including Griener Bakery in the 40's.
11 Presently The Flower Shoppe (1904 map shows 2 buildings. Remodeled into 1 later or newer?)
Was Lipscuth Cloths, Russel Sager TV, Lil Mc Dougal Grocery, Vic Peterson Beauty Shop, and Sara Vanden Busch Bakery. Possibly original.
12 Presently Ron Magee/Edgar Fisher Retired Gas/Service Station (1904 map shows a building closer to the road). Was Toby Peterson's. Was Alfred Peterson Gas Station 1940's and part of 1950's.
13 Presently very nice old house. ( looks like the 1904 map house) Was Gerhard Photography who retired in 1960's. Should be original.
