This image shows a different side of the Wisconsin Dells: the children’s playground and amusement park called Storybook Land. The object shown is an animated clock representing the children’s nursery rhyme “Hickory, Dickory, Doc.”

The caption states:

HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK!

You can bet your life Mr. Mouse is “in the swing” at

S T O R Y B O O K L A N D

on Hwy 12, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

— The clock, having only one hand, is no doubt not intended to keep time, but simply to swing the mouse back and forth while the clock spins the hand around on its face.

Storybook Land is still in operation, and the clock shown above is still on display, though no doubt updated or replaced with a more modern version. The park train now runs directly past the clock, and there are paths in front and on the right, not present in this picture due to the park’s ongoing expansion and updates.

This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is a well known formation visited by boat tours through the Wisconsin Dells. Called by the fanciful name Sugar Bowl, due to its rounded and tapering shape, it is an example of many such free-standing formations in the waters around the Dells.

The caption states:

Here at the Wisconsin Dells, a lavish display of sculptural wonders in their primeval state of undespoiled natural beauty are found. Traveling along the winding shores of the river one has the thrilling feeling of being transported back through thousands of timeless years when nature first began to carve mystic shapes and forms for her gigantic outdoor museum. One of these formations, the “Sugar Bowl”, stands amid the swirling waters of the stream, boldly battling with the force of erosion.

— This image is also represented in a folio posted earlier on this site. In fact, the two pictures are identical and come from the same publisher, differing only in the colorizing and sky illustration applied. The white line in the middle of the image is damage caused by the card being folded.

This image likely dates from the 1940s.

The building shown in this image was the home of the first kindergarten held in the United States, which was founded by Margarethe Schurz in 1856 in Watertown, Wisconsin.

The description states:
First Kindergarten in the United States — founded by Margarethe Meyer Schurz in 1856 in Watertown, Wisconsin. Building moved from original site to Octagon House grounds in 1956 and restored by the Watertown Historical Society in 1957. Open to the public daily from May to November.
–There is an extensive and detailed history of this building recounted here.
Since the description states the dates of transfer and restoration, it is probable that this card dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the front entrance of the Octagon House, located in Watertown, Wisconsin.

The description states:
438X
OCTAGON HOUSE, WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN
The Octagon House is the most interesting landmark of early Watertown. It was built by the Hon. John Richards and completed about 1852. There are 57 rooms built around a spiral stairway. It was presented to the Watertown Historical Society in January, 1939.
 
–This image is unusual in that it was taken while the building was incomplete, and not representative of the original construction. Over the years, the wooden porches around the first and second floor became unsafe and were demolished in 1938, leaving the building in the condition seen here. The porches were reconstructed in the 1970s and again in the early 2000s.
This card is dated 1951.

This image shows several children feeding a family of tame white-tailed deer at the Boettcher Deer Farm in Hayward, Wisconsin.

The description states simply:
E-116 BOETTCHER DEER FARM
HAYWARD, WISCONSIN
—From information available on the web, this farm has long since closed.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the front of the Northway Motel in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and to the left, the associated Schrener’s Restaurant for the convenience of the motel guests.

The description states:
NORTHWAY MOTEL
Hwy. 41 between Hwys 23 & 151 on Grove Street
Fond du Lac’s newest and finest. One Mile to City. Excellent restaurant adjoining. 24 air conditioned rooms. Phones, free T.V.s, Sealy Posturpedic Mattresses, Hot Water Heat, All Tiled Tub and Shower Baths. Open year around.
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Shaw – Owners and Operators
Fond du Lac, Wis.  Phone: Walnut 1-7975
—This establishment still exists on the current site, along with a restaurant with a new name.
This postcard was dated when printed as 1959.