West Racine

Racine Times-Call, November 14, 1924.

HISTORY OF WEST RACINE READS LIKE A ROMANCE OF BOOM DAYS OF WILD WEST

A Decade or So Ago It Was Farm Land, Today It Is One of Most Flourishing Business Centers in City

The history of West Racine reads like the romance of a boom town in the wild west.

A little more than 10 years ago West Racine was almost a wilderness as far as cities go. Land on which imposing business structures and residences have since been erected were still being used for farming. The North Shore station which is now almost the eastern border of what is now known as West Racine was all considered far out in the country a decade ago.

And there are any number of streetcar conductors on the Washington avenue and Sixth street lines who occasionally mutter when their trolleys are jammed to capacity with a strap-hanging public: "I can remember when we only had six or seven passengers that went this way 10 years ago."

History of the streetcar company shows that one motorman on the west Sixth street line which is now one of the heavy "feeders" for West Racine had so few customers that he knew them all by heart and occasionally stopped his car in front of their homes in the morning and hollered, "All aboard!" He knew them so well that if they missed his car they would be late for work.

Needed Advice to Go West

A score of years ago the Junction was considered the western limits of Racine. But pioneer merchants and residents began to heed Horace Greeley's advice, "go west, my son, go west," until both the residential and business districts encroached more and more upon the farm lands. But it was not until many years later that the first houses and first stores were erected west of the North Shore tracks.

Today Racine extends for nearly a mile west of the North Shore railway. It has its cement roads, public schools, hardware, drug, grocery and clothing stores, bake shops, barber shops, garages, contractors bank, and business clubs.

The Twelfth Ward Boosters club, organized a few years ago was instrumental in obtaining many civic improvements for that section of the city. As that part of the town was built up sewers, water and gas mains, telephones and electric light lines were extended. The Twelfth Ward Boosters club, however, was not the only organization that brought many of these matters to the attention of the city council and also has produced many street improvements.

Businessmen of West Racine organized a year or two ago.

The first newspaper carrier boy in West Racine was Norris Hall, son of John Hall, now a traveling salesman. "My route then was mostly a swamp," says Hall in recounting his experiences. "Today it is one of the best sections of the city."

Higgins' Hardware Grows

When the Higgins Hardware company was founded in West Racine a few years ago friends of the hardware men were skeptical of his success. "Too far out," they told him. "You will never get any trade." Today the Higgins Hardware company is one of the largest in the city and business has expanded to such an extent that it became necessary to add a sporting goods department to the hardware store.

The Huber drug store is another West Racine institution which reflects the growth of that part of the city.

Almost every year "Jack" Huber, owner and proprietor of the store, has found it necessary to not only enlarge his stock but also to enlarge and expand his headquarters and equipment.

Then there is George Nelson, bank director, garage and automobile agent.

It was only a few years ago that George Nelson opened a "stand" in West Racine where he sold gasoline, oil, tires, and automobile accessories. Business was good and that part of the city grew. And as business improved Nelson expanded his business. He built one of the largest garages in the city and acquired the agency for two well-known automobiles. When the West Racine bank was organized...
Racine Times-Call, November 14, 1924
organized Nelson was elected one of the directors.

Proof of Growth

The most recent proof of West Racine's growth is furnished by recent growth of Christensen dry goods store. A few years ago Miss Dagmar Christensen and Alfred Christensen were working for other establishments. After obtaining sufficient experience they established a shop in West Racine. As time passed they made more and more improvements and built up their stock and patronage to such an extent that it became necessary for them to establish new headquarters. Now they are moving into the Jorgensen building.

As West Racine's population increased the streetcar company improved its service to meet the demands until now there are cars operating over two miles from West Racine every seven minutes. A bus was added to the equipment a year ago to provide additional transportation facilities for those residing several blocks from the streetcar lines.

Washington avenue, the principal thoroughfare in West Racine, is being built up so rapidly that within a few years it will extend all the way to Mysgats Corners. Twelfth ward boosters say that from the present time scores of homes have been built along Highway 20 until the road between Mysgats Corners and the city limits resembles a street more than a country highway.

Prominent in the recent history of West Racine is the Neilson pharmacy, established a few years ago on Washington avenue west of the North Shore railway. Growth of that part of town is reflected in the increase in patronage of the Neilson pharmacy, which is already regarded as one of the established concerns of that neighborhood.

Another merchant who has taken an active part in the development of West Racine and whose influence has helped to obtain improvements for that section is Roy Hilker, who conducts a market on Washington avenue. Hilker says that the increase in his business in recent years is proof of the constant growth of West Racine.

They Boost West Racine

Art Matson of the Matson Auto Supply company has contributed his share toward the improvement and growth of West Racine. Matson is regarded as almost a veteran business man in his neighborhood. "West Racine has a wonderful future," he told an inquiring reporter. "I'm not in the real estate business," he added "but if you want to make some money buy property out here, for I

will double in value within a few years."

Sufficiently well known to be mayor of West Racine is William Hueffner, garageman and agent for the Moon automobile.

"I can see West Racine grow every day," Mr. Hueffner said, "and if I live for another 10 years I know that I will live to see this become the biggest and most important section of town." And with a grim, "I'm going to sell a Moon automobile to every new family that moves out this way."

Within a few families in West Racine are many from there explain, it has become a habit to say, "I'm going over to Krogh's" instead of "I'm going to the store," they say in most other sections of the city. Krogh's is known as one of the largest clothing and dry goods stores west of the North Shore railway. Nels Krogh, manager and proprietor of the establishment that bears his name is prominent in civic affairs of West Racine and one of the most optimistic boosters for and believes in the future of that part of the city.
Racine Times-Call, November 14, 1924
Store Nears Completion -- The new Higgins hardware store at West Racine is rapidly nearing completion. The building is of red brick. It is a double store; one side will probably be occupied by a meat market, while James Higgins, the owner, will run a hardware store in the other half.
Higgins Hardware store nears completion, Racine Journal-News, July 22, 1913
Free Souvemors Free
Grand Opening
New Hardware Store
Sat., Nov. 1st
A full lines of first class new goods at honest prices. Come and get a souvenir.
Higgins Hardware Co.
3121 Washington Ave. West Racine
Souvenirs Phone 1484 Souvenirs
Higgins Hardware Company Grand Opening, Racine Journal-News, October 30, 1913