The Schroeder family lived on the upper farm on the east end of Walnut Street in North Freedom, Wisconsin, during the 1950s and 1960s. Carolyn’s maternal grandparents lived on the adjacent lower farm. The farms were operated together by Carolyn’s parents and grandparents.
The property sat along the Baraboo River that served as the south and east boundaries. The railroad tracks were the north boundary. The family also owned 40 areas 3 miles south of the village in the Baraboo Bluffs. It was a combination of pasture and woodland referred to as The Forty.
A half-mile road connected the two farms. The upper part of the road belonged to the village. The lower part of the road belonged to the family.
The small barn on the upper farm housed youngstock during the winter. These young cows were transported to the Forty during the summer because there was not adequate pasture for grazing on the upper farm.
Most farm operations took place on the lower farm including milking the cows. Pigs, chickens, and work horses were housed at the lower farm.
Neither farm had a windmill like other farms in the area. The upper farm was on village water. The lower farm had a unique ram system that provided water to the house, milk house, barnyard, and pig barn.
In her book, North Freedom, Carolyn takes readers on a descriptive tour through her home providing a visual concept of what family life was like in the 1950s and 1960s.
To read more about North Freedom, WI, buy the book here.
This is a test.
I bought your book! I lived in North Freedom in 2 different houses while my Dad was a medic in WW2. My Grandfather (John Ahrens)rented and operated both gas stations. We lived North of the track’s. When my Dad came back from the war he built a home in Baraboo. I graduated from Baraboo High School in 1961. Eventually became a Barber. I owned the Kut Hut Barber Shop. My son still operates it. I found your Book very interesting. I had so many friends from there over the years. EXCELLENT Job! John McNabb
Growing up in North Freedom was a wonderful life for a child. I realize, and appreciate, this more as I get older. I did not plan to write, let alone publish, a book back in 2015. I was working on a huge project for my 50th Baraboo High School reunion. Talking with my North Freedom grade school classmates brought back many memories which I added to a list of family memories I started collecting after mom died. After the reunion, I started to write from this list.
One day my 7-year-old grandson said, ” You are so lucky. I can’t do those things. Life is different today.” It was then I first seriously thought about ‘a book’ to capture my childhood for my grandchildren. My brother, Allen, was a tremendous resource in doing research to confirm the accuracy of dates, names, and places. He is a retired WELS Lutheran pastor living in Mesa AZ.
If you are interested, Allen just published a book “The Lost History of North Freedom.” It covers the early history is North Freedom, from the mid-1850s through 1920. It is 177 pages, a collection of short, individual articles covering a wide variety of topics. His research is extensive. The Sauk Country Historical Society is the only place selling it. He had only 100 copies printed and does not plan to print more. This is a link to the overview.
https://saukcountyhistory.org/merchandise-schs/the-lost-history-of-north-freedom-wisconsin-1846-1919
What years did your grandfather, John Ahrens, own the gas station?
Did you live on High Street?
Thank you for your comment!
Carolyn Dallmann