Ask Abe Archives - Madison Landmarks

Sheley Miller-Peetz '97 asks Abe: “During my college years, I worked at State Street Brats. During the years since graduation, I have met many others that worked at the old Brathaus/State Street Brats during their college years. My question is: Any idea how many other UW alums have served up red brats and beer at 603 State Street?”

Answer: Since 1953, State Street Brats has been a landmark where students and alumni frequently gather to watch the big game or relax and have a beer. Many students in Madison have earned their way through school by working the grill, serving beer and bouncing at “Brats.” The manager attests to having about 70 people on active duty at all time, and around 100 students working there throughout one year. You can imagine the large number of students who have worked behind that bar since 1953 — 100 students a year times being in business for over 50 years amounts to more than 5,000 students!

Diane Milkowski '69 asks Abe: “What is the thickest the ice on Lake Mendota has ever gotten?”

Answer: According to Emeritus Professor Reid Bryson, who compiled ice thickness measurements from the 1870s through the 1930s, the ice on Lake Mendota has been over 30 inches thick a few times. At one point during the 1870s the ice was recorded as 35 inches thick, which appears to be the record. On average, the ice on Lake Mendota is approximately 20 inches thick at its peak.

Dave Sparr JD'78 asks Abe: "Why can't I buy Union Terrace chairs in the colors that are used on the terrace?"

Answer: The Memorial Union has a trademark on the yellow, orange and green chairs that color the terrace's landscape, and, unfortunately, the Union currently has no plans of making them available.

However, for those who desire a miniature version of the memorable chairs, the Alumni Store sells Terrace Mini-chairs that stand 4 inches tall and are available in the familiar terrace colors.

If you want full-sized chairs or tables, perhaps for your own terrace, contact Betty Federer at (608) 263-2543. She sells the chairs and tables in red and white, and orders can be picked up at the Memorial Union gift shop or shipped for an additional fee.

Bill Staudenmaier, '83, asks Abe: "Your recent question regarding Rennebohm's drug stores reminded me of the fact that when I was at UW in the late '70s, we often irreverently referred to the statue on top of the State Capitol building as "Mrs. Rennebohm." What is the real name of that statue and what is its significance for the capitol and for the state of Wisconsin?"

Answer: The statue atop the state capitol building is named "Wisconsin" and was placed on the capitol dome as a symbol of the state's motto, "Forward." Daniel Chester French, who also created the fabulous Abraham Lincoln statue for the Lincoln Memorial, sculpted "Wisconsin" to symbolize the spirit of Wisconsin progress. She looks toward Lake Monona with her right hand outstretched, while her left hand cradles a globe with an eagle perched on it. On top of her helmet is the state animal, the badger. French sculpted the15 foot, five inch, three-ton statue in 1914 for a cost of $20,325.

For those who don't know why the statue was referred to as "Mrs. Rennebohm," we'll let you in on the joke: People suggested that "Wisconsin" was actually Mrs. Rennebohm, the wife of Oscar Rennebohm, the owner of a large Madison drug-store-chain. It was said she was on top of the capitol looking for a site for the newest drug store.

Daniel Finerty ’94 asks Abe: “When I was an undergraduate, we were told by the seniors that Otis Redding died when his plane crashed into Lake Mendota. We used to toast to his memory when enjoying a few beers on the Union Terrace. Is it true or were the seniors pulling our leg?”

Answer: The seniors were almost right. Otis Redding was on a chartered plane that crashed into Lake Monona on Dec. 10, 1967, killing Redding and four members of his backup band, the Bar-Kays while they were flying to a scheduled performance. A native of Georgia, Redding’s gritty vocals became the measure of 1960s great soul artists. His only number one single, “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” shot to the top of the charts in 1968 after his death at age 26.

Mike Keeling '98 asks Abe: "During my time at Madison there was a store on State Street that sold men's hats. Is that store still there?"

Answer: There is only one shop on State Street that comes to mind when someone mentions "the hat store," and that's the Sacred Feather. It first opened in 1975 in the basement of a building on the 500 block of State Street (where Buraka is now). Owners Tony and Annie Badame moved the shop to its current location at 417 State Street in 1980. The Sacred Feather specializes in fine-quality leather goods, but it offers every variety of hat under the sun, from women's styles to rugged Stetsons to foamy Cheeseheads to bright red Turkish fezzes. Many of the Sacred Feather's hats are handmade by local artists, and most of its customers are tourists who stop in while window-shopping.

Robert Weintraub ’48, LLB’52 asks Abe: "When I was a student at the UW in the late 1940s, I frequently spent many pleasant hours at Picnic Point. While there in the late fall, I had the chance to taste the small russet-colored apples which grew on the apple orchard that covered the point. I have been away from Wisconsin for over fifty years, but have never forgotten the sweet but tart, blossom flavor that came from the first juicy bite. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to ask about that apple's name and history. It is strange how certain memories never quite leave us. Can you tell me the name of this apple, and whether anyone knows of a grove with such a variety from which I might order some for shipment?"

Answer: The old apple orchard at Picnic Point has been a favorite destination for generations of Badgers. The apples there trace their roots to a well-to-do Madison lumberman and entrepreneur named Edward Young. After he purchased the property in 1924, he planted a large apple orchard at Picnic Point. Young loved to work the land, eventually renovating the farmhouse and building a network of bridle paths and the stone gateway at the entrance of Picnic Point.

Although many of the original Picnic Point apple trees were lost to time, some remain, and they still produce fruit each fall. The fragrant fruit you recall is the McCoun apple. First introduced in 1923, they are a cross between the McIntosh and Arkansas black varieties. The sweet, crisp, aromatic McCoun apples are only available during the October and November harvest, and can be purchased online through a number of vendors.

Mary Jesko MS’86 asks Abe: “In 1987 I purchased a poster of the Memorial Union Terrace with the caption, ‘Let us linger here awhile in the foolishness of things. Author unknown.’ in the bottom right corner.

The picture was taken following a rainstorm showing an empty, rain-slick Terrace. I have searched high and low for a replacement but with no luck. Can you help me determine where I can find one?”

Answer: The poster you’re describing can be found at Fine Posters & Prints, 645 State Street in Madison, or online at finepostersmadison.com (under Madison Posters). Snapped by photographer Jerry Capps in 1974, the image was first published in Wisconsin Alumnus Magazine in May 1985. The 24-by-19-inch poster has been a sentimental favorite for years and can be purchased, unframed, for $25.

Mary Jane Langer ’79 asks Abe: “When I attended the UW from 1975–79, there were several Oakhouse cookie carts on campus. One was always parked on the corner of University Avenue and Charter Street and I believe there were a couple of others. I remember buying four cookies in a package for a dollar. I think it later changed to three per package, but the cookies were great and it was a treat to have homemade cookies after a day of classes. Whatever happened to the original Oakhouse cookie bakery?”

Answer: The oven’s still warm at Oakhouse Bakery, thanks to the UW grads who rescued it from bankruptcy in 1981. The business partners continued to sell cookies on campus until 1995, when sales dipped due to a boom in food carts on Library Mall. By that time, Oakhouse had become a full-line bakery supplying grocery and convenience stores with more than 200 products in addition to custom baking, and the business moved in to a new 25,000-square-foot production plant in Madison.

Today, Oakhouse has a devoted following at the Farmers’ Market on the Square, where the bakery peddles delicious donuts, pastries and breads on the corner of Main and Carroll streets. UW alumni hankering for a three-pack of Oakhouse cookies made from the original recipes — chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, molasses, double chocolate chip and sugar — can satisfy their craving by ordering directly from Oakhouse at oakhousebakery.com.