| A CN local momentarily fouls W. 2nd St. as it prepares to set out a string of cars at the former C&NW yard at Appleton Junction, WI on 30 Dec. '18. After completing their work here, the local willcontinue on to Little Chute, and Kaukauna. Carter's Caboose, 1428 W. 2nd St., a small, old, rail side tavern, stands to the right. It dates to at least 1930, when it was a soft drink establishment owned by Hubert J. Merkel and August F. Brandt (Prohibition was still in effect). By ’36 it was a tavern operated by Albert Giesen, owned by Mrs. Gretchen Merkel. By ’38 it was Bob’s Tavern, still owned by Mrs. Merkel. It was the Junction Tavern from at least ’43-’71, still owned by Mrs. Merkel until at least ’60 (there were at least two different owners between ’67-’71). At some point in the ‘70s it became Pete’s Junction (possibly Palomino Pete’s Junction). It was called Netticoat Junction ca. the ‘90s (owned by Joanne M. ‘Nettie’ Nett). The former Appleton Wood Products Co. factory, now part of the Miller Electric facility, can be seen beyond Carter's Caboose. Built in 1916, the walls include some intricate brickwork. The keystones above the windows (now concealed) depict bowling pins. Of course, all of the interesting brickwork, painstakingly crafted by skilled masons 102 years ago, has been defaced and obscured with cheap metal siding, which Miller Electric applied at some point after they acquired the historic facility ca. 1975. |