NEW GLARUS - Kim Tschudy is proud to call Green County home.
In the introduction to his book "Green County," Tschudy explains why the county is special to him and his family:
"Its hills in the town of Exeter have nurtured my ancestors since 1846," he wrote.
Tschudy's book, comprised of hundreds of photos, features every community in Green County. And it includes memorable images of the Albany Coronet Band, "Lover's Lane" in Juda, and the covered bridges of Green County. It features images of buildings that are still standing - and others long gone.
The photos, including those of street scenes and businesses, provide an insight to the narrative on daily life in Green County. The were culled from historical and private collections.
But what made the book especially interesting for Tschudy was the fact he was able to find photos of Green County's "ghost towns," as he called them.
The villages of Exeter, Dayton and Attica were once thriving communities with stores and homes. But today, there is little left to remind rural residents of those busier times.
"The old general store, the first floor of the hotel and the old school are the only things left in Exeter," Tschudy said.
The general store in Exeter, built in the late 1850s, was once used as a dance hall, Tschudy said. The store's grand-opening attracted people from as far away as Janesville, Beloit and Rockford, Ill.
Dayton is another example of another village that once bustled with activity. It had a main street with several stores, a mill, a tavern, even a car dealership - hard to believe judging from what's left.
"Imagine Dayton would be large enough to have a car dealership?" he said.
He added that he could almost do an entire book about Green County's ghost towns.
Tschudy is no first-time author. He wrote a book about the Swiss in New Glarus, and also wrote three books about railroads.
The man who has written more than 500 historical articles over the past 20 years says he first became interested in history as a young boy.
"History is the one subject that I could concentrate on when I was in school," he said.
Tschudy, who is president of the New Glarus Depot Preservation Society and New Glarus Town Hall Society, is a maintenance supervisor at the University of Wisconsin.
Tschudy said he still isn't sure where the book will be sold. It's published through Arcadia Publishing.
The publisher will determine where the book is sold in Green County, but Tschudy is sure it will be sold in New Glarus.
Meanwhile, anyone interested in buying the book can contact Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665; or visit them online at arcadiapublishing. com. It will be available Nov. 1.
In the introduction to his book "Green County," Tschudy explains why the county is special to him and his family:
"Its hills in the town of Exeter have nurtured my ancestors since 1846," he wrote.
Tschudy's book, comprised of hundreds of photos, features every community in Green County. And it includes memorable images of the Albany Coronet Band, "Lover's Lane" in Juda, and the covered bridges of Green County. It features images of buildings that are still standing - and others long gone.
The photos, including those of street scenes and businesses, provide an insight to the narrative on daily life in Green County. The were culled from historical and private collections.
But what made the book especially interesting for Tschudy was the fact he was able to find photos of Green County's "ghost towns," as he called them.
The villages of Exeter, Dayton and Attica were once thriving communities with stores and homes. But today, there is little left to remind rural residents of those busier times.
"The old general store, the first floor of the hotel and the old school are the only things left in Exeter," Tschudy said.
The general store in Exeter, built in the late 1850s, was once used as a dance hall, Tschudy said. The store's grand-opening attracted people from as far away as Janesville, Beloit and Rockford, Ill.
Dayton is another example of another village that once bustled with activity. It had a main street with several stores, a mill, a tavern, even a car dealership - hard to believe judging from what's left.
"Imagine Dayton would be large enough to have a car dealership?" he said.
He added that he could almost do an entire book about Green County's ghost towns.
Tschudy is no first-time author. He wrote a book about the Swiss in New Glarus, and also wrote three books about railroads.
The man who has written more than 500 historical articles over the past 20 years says he first became interested in history as a young boy.
"History is the one subject that I could concentrate on when I was in school," he said.
Tschudy, who is president of the New Glarus Depot Preservation Society and New Glarus Town Hall Society, is a maintenance supervisor at the University of Wisconsin.
Tschudy said he still isn't sure where the book will be sold. It's published through Arcadia Publishing.
The publisher will determine where the book is sold in Green County, but Tschudy is sure it will be sold in New Glarus.
Meanwhile, anyone interested in buying the book can contact Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665; or visit them online at arcadiapublishing. com. It will be available Nov. 1.