MILTON — Explore the vibrant narrative of Milton’s past as Doug Welch unveils his latest work, ‘Milton Historic Musings,’ during a book launch at the Milton College Preservation Society, on Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.
“I like to say we have the most unique history of any city in southern Wisconsin, if not all of Wisconsin,” Welch said. Recognizing the history of the Milton House as an Underground Railroad site, acknowledging the preservation efforts of Milton College and commemorating the merging of two villages. As a Milton native, Welch has gained so much knowledge about its history and is excited to share it with others.
After contributing essays for local blogs, newspapers and magazines, Welch has carefully curated his collection into a 200+ page book with over 350 images. After beginning the project in August 2023, the book, his “labor of love” has been officially printed this month. During the book launch, guests can buy a copy and get it signed. Welch will also be available for conversations. “I wanted to get all the information in one place so people could access it,” he said.
Considering the growth of Milton, “this book would be of great value to newcomers and people who didn’t grow up here. Some people wonder, why does this town have two downtowns?” Welch said. Guests can dive into the history of the merging of Milton and Milton Junction in 1967. Two railroads were built in what was then called West Milton in the 1850s, becoming Milton Junction.
Extensive research has led Welch to learn that the two towns had very distinct backgrounds. Joseph Goodrich founded Milton on Seventh Day Baptist values, which included higher education and no alcohol. Whereas the junction had taverns and was more blue collar, Welch said. After the railroads were built, large hotels like the Morgan House went up. There are multiple photos of the outside of this hotel, but only one photo of the inside.
His book takes readers through the process of settlement and growth on a personal level. Learn about Lawrence Dickhoff, Milton’s first mayor, or Hosea Rood, a Milton College student and teacher who became the commander of Wisconsin’s Grand Army of the Republic, a Civil War veterans organization. The book sections are: Old Milton, a Milton Landmark, Village of Milton, Milton Junction, Milton College, Milton at Play and Stories and People.
Retiring from editor of the Milton Courier, Welch went on to work as assistant director at the Milton House for five years. During his time there, he wrote a blog and scanned the archived photos. He then became the administrator of the Milton College Preservation Society, where he writes the bi-monthly magazine and scans archived photos. He currently writes a history column for the Courier every week. His work has also appeared in the Wisconsin Magazine of History.
There has not been a comprehensive book about Milton since 1976, he said. When the bicentennial of Milton’s history was written by a historical society committee. “The research was great but there are very few photos and they’re small,” Welch said. He is proud to have included so many authentic photos. He believes it will give people a true sense of what the villages were like back then. “The Milton Junction photos are outstanding. There was so much activity there” he said.
Welch would like to give thanks to his editor, Jeff Churchwell who was an AP English teacher at Milton High School back when Welch was an editor. Churchwell was also a Milton College student. He was student body president when the college closed in 1982. Welch would also like to thank an old Courier coworker, Susan Angell for designing the front and back cover.
Now that his book is finished, Welch is going to spend more time working on the civil war room exhibit at the Milton College Preservation Society. Both the Milton Historical Society and the Milton College Preservation Society will receive proceeds of books sales.
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