History Alive Project, Inc.

Call Directions Website

History Alive Project, Inc. Our organization creates "out of the box" projects to discover and maintain our areas history for community members of all ages.

NOW YOU KNOW! History Alive Project teaching volunteers October 21, planned another great day spent with all the freshme...
10/22/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

History Alive Project teaching volunteers October 21, planned another great day spent with all the freshmen at Westby High School teaching them a little more about the history of why Norwegians first thought about immigrating to America.

Each student had received a mystery name of someone in early Westby, C**n Valley and Chaseburg's history; all students, using their Chrome books, researched and documented that mystery name's biography. Each student then introduced themselves as their mystery person to the entire class.

Following this, the students discussed reasons and life conditions of the Norwegians in the early 1800s such that many felt that immigration was a possible option in their lives.

History Alive Project really enjoys the interest that the students show in these discussions. This is a year-long program that HAP volunteers conduct in its effort to have students today, relate to what their ancestors were doing, thinking and deciding as an early chapter in the Norwegian immigrant saga.

HAP is really looking forward to next month's classes, as they continue this study of the entire immigrant story of so many that came from Norway, to include those that eventually settled in the greater Westby area.

Do you know why the mystery names of Erna Solberg and Jens Davidson were especially chosen and then researched by these students? Can you name others that might very well be on the list of names given to all freshmen?

NOW YOU KNOW!Around 1916, Westby was a thriving little village with automobiles and horses sharing the streets. Left is...
10/20/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

Around 1916, Westby was a thriving little village with automobiles and horses sharing the streets. Left is Ramsland Brother's Dry Goods and on the right is Stevlingson & Call Hardware. The church steeple in the background is the old Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Our Savior's was moved about 1921 to its current location and is Mike's Feed Supply on East State Street today.

Installed only a short time before this photograph was taken, street lights lit Main Street in the downtown area, but for many years they were turned off at 11 pm. Westby at this time produced its own electricity and it was shut off at 11 pm for everyone. The person running the generator would blink the lights a few minutes before 11 pm to let people know that the electricity was about to be shut off.

The second photo was donated to History Alive Project awhile ago and gives a good look at what the Stevlingson & Call store looked like.

KNOW YOU KNOW!The beginnings of the Westby Feed & Seed, the Ben Logan Feed Mill, began in 1904 when William Cargill, own...
10/18/2026

KNOW YOU KNOW!

The beginnings of the Westby Feed & Seed, the Ben Logan Feed Mill, began in 1904 when William Cargill, owner of Cargill Grain Company bought land for his La Crosse and Southeastern Railway that would be operational in January of 1905.

Sometime before the fall of 1905, a 75-foot elevator was built in preparation for the grain harvest. The elevator was torn down in 1977.

H.E. McEachron Company with P.J. Hagen as manager, was the first to own the Cargill Company when it was sold in 1910. While it was the McEachron Company, the first of the buildings were built. Primarily the two-story 28-foot by 50-foot feed storage building that fronts Second Street, was seen.

In 1917, the Farmers Cooperative Exchange took over ownership of the mill and sold it to Ben and Olga Logan in the fall of 1940. During their ownership, Westby as well as the rest of the country, enjoyed the roaring 20s and endured the depression of the 30s.

Of all the owners of this property, the Logans are the most remembered and loved for their mill. Logan turned the business into a true "feed mill" by putting a 28-foot by 50-foot addition on the north end of the feed storage building and installing feed grinding equipment.

In 1962, Ben Logan retired at the age of 72, selling his mill to John Hundt of Cashton who operated the mill until 1969 when FS Cooperative purchased the property. All milling operations ceased in 1992.

Stumper Saturday answers to #439:1. 20042. see photo3. Student Board Rep4. Westby District School Board
10/18/2026

Stumper Saturday answers to #439:

1. 2004
2. see photo
3. Student Board Rep
4. Westby District School Board

Stumper Saturday # 440:1. Where was this building located?2. What was the initial name given to this building?3. What w...
10/18/2026

Stumper Saturday # 440:

1. Where was this building located?
2. What was the initial name given to this building?
3. What was the purpose of this building?
4. In what year was this building replaced with a newer building?
5. Where is the newer building now located?
6. What happened to this newer building in 1958?
7. What did Francis Sveum, Ruby Egness, Donna Sanwick and
Lucille Cox all have in common?

NOW YOU KNOW!The History Alive Project Board is thrilled to add Carter Compton to its group as its Westby High School St...
10/16/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

The History Alive Project Board is thrilled to add Carter Compton to its group as its Westby High School Student Board Representative! The current HAP Board enthusiastically voted on his being officially accepted at its latest Board meeting in October 2026.

Carter, currently WHS Sophomore, currently has a very full academic schedule that includes classes in Art, Geometry, World History, Biology, Choir, English and Costume Design.

When not at school, Carter volunteers at Westby's Bethel Buttik as well as events associated with Westby's Syttende Mai Celebration. He currently serves as the Westby High School and Westby Middle School's Theater Costume Director as well as working with the Viroqua WI Theater's costume department.

He has auditioned with the Westby High School State FFA Choir but did not attended at State as he was so involved with the WHS Musical that year. He recently concluded a year-long reign as King and Mr. Congeniality of the local Cashton "Fall Festival" in 2025 and 2026.

Squeezed into his waking hours, he loves to sew, thrift, and work as a cashier at Hanson's IGA in Westby. He assists doing spa, makeup and hair at the "Backstage Beauty Salon and Boutique" in Westby, helping wedding parties get ready for their special day.

When asked why he was interested in serving on the HAP Board, he replied "students can often see things differently than adults and our perspective can be a real help when doing History Alive Project activities and classes."

Carter's parents, Patrick and Jessica, brother Kaston and sister Juliana, round out his family all of whom live in Westby.

"HAP's Board and volunteers are very excited to incorporate Carter's work ethic, enthusiasm, confidence and genuine love of Westby's historic Norwegian past," added HAP President, Dave Amundson. "Our Board just wonders, at times, when does this guy ever sleep," asked Amundson.

NOW YOU KNOW!You may have noticed an important building in Westby that is currently being refreshed. The City is in the...
10/15/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

You may have noticed an important building in Westby that is currently being refreshed.

The City is in the process of bringing our Stabbur back to life with a new color combination. The work on this will continue into 2027.

If you would like to see photos of how this building was put together from its first day started on the Monroe Johnson farm until it was delivered to its present site, just call 608-634-3034 or email to make arrangements to visit our History Hus at your convenience.

In the past, the Stabbur has been open from April 1 to October 31. New hours will be available when it is open again.

NOW YOU KNOW!On October 10, 2026, History Alive Project volunteers conducted an inservice program for some of the employ...
10/12/2026

NOW YOU KNOW!

On October 10, 2026, History Alive Project volunteers conducted an inservice program for some of the employees of the Westby Area School District.

History Alive Project was very pleased to be asked to work with the District to provide important information on Norwegian immigration to the United States as well as some history of early settlers to our area.

Mr. Steve Michaels, the District's Superintendent, in contacting History Alive Project members stated "it's very important for our staff to know the history of this area,, especially the new-to-the-system teachers.

The day began with a light breakfast followed by a tour of the 1886 year-old "History Hus" located at 218 N. Main Street, Westby. The balance of the forenoon time was used to view a power point program created by HAP volunteers, dealing with the beginnings of organized Norwegians to America as well as the first settlers to the Westby area. This session generated many great questions from the entire group.

A quick lunch taken on the front porch of the "History Hus" preceded a school bus ride through Westby. The group thoroughly enjoyed this "Then and Now" tour that highlighted everything from the location of Westby's two sets of railroad tracks to identifying Westby's oldest home.

Much of the detailed information mentioned at each stop came from History Alive Project's images and artifacts in its Collection.

HAP is now creating another requested program for staff and employees to be held in November 2026.

If you or your group/organization would like HAP volunteers to share parts or all of the day's activities at YOUR meeting, just call 608-634-3034 or email HAP at to decide on a good calendar date.

Shown: some of the WASD inservice participants that found themselves remarking many times "well, I never ever knew about THAT!"

"Push vs Pull Factors" provided staff to fully expand on details referencing Norwegian immigrant history.

"Then and Now" images were used on the tour at each stop.

The statement concerning "Community" provided a complete rationale for why this inservice was so meaningful and important!

Stumper Saturday answers # 438:1. 18802. 18813. 18834. 1910 (photo below)5. 19146. The Courier7. Near the current Westb...
10/11/2026

Stumper Saturday answers # 438:

1. 1880
2. 1881
3. 1883
4. 1910 (photo below)
5. 1914
6. The Courier
7. Near the current Westby Cooperative Creamery

Stumper Saturday # 439:1. What year was this picture taken?2. Name all the individuals, by row, left to right.3. What r...
10/11/2026

Stumper Saturday # 439:

1. What year was this picture taken?
2. Name all the individuals, by row, left to right.
3. What role did the person on the very far left have with this
group?
4. What was the official name for this group?

Address

Westby, WI
54667

Telephone

(608) 634-3034

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when History Alive Project, Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share