A Third of July to Remember
What do a barnstormer, human fly, and gambling raid have in common? They were all part of the epic day that was Saturday, July 3, 1920 in Cuba City. Forget about picnics, parades, and fireworks. One hundred years ago, Cuba City took its Independence Day celebration to another level.
The day began calmly enough as a lovely morning dawned and residents woke and grabbed the milk bottles off their porch--delivered early because of the impending festivities. Those who wandered downtown might have admired the businesses decorated for the occasion as they settled in to enjoy a Main Street concert by the Cuba City Military Band and a traditional Independence Day parade, complete with floats and decorated cars.
Shortly after, sports enthusiasts made their way to the ball diamond for what had been billed as "a red hot game of baseball" between Platteville and New Diggings. The game turned out to be a bit of a snooze, though, as Platteville won, 10-0.
Fortunately, plenty more thrills were on tap. A popular entertainment of the day involved stuntmen (like Harry Gardiner, pictured below) scaling the sides of tall buildings. Cuba City's "human fly" set his sights on the First National Bank. Though the daredevil claimed that he would climb using his hands and feet alone, according to newspaper editor Herman Goldthorpe, he was aided by a rope suspended from the bank roof. Goldthorpe's take on the stunt: "This feature, though risky, was not up to expectations."
What did not disappoint was the aviation portion of the day's festivities. Army-trained pilot Fred Curtiss of Dubuque's Star Taxi Co. arrived Saturday morning in his Curtiss JN-4 aircraft. The aviator performed hair-raising stunts for the audience, and then offered rides for the rest of the day. At least twenty brave souls took to the skies with Curtiss. At a time when simply seeing an aircraft was a rare treat, this must have been a breathtaking experience. The field belonging to Martin Rowe on the eastern edge of the village served as a landing strip. This would have been where Cody, Splinter, and Lincoln Streets are today.
For those needing something a little tamer, the afternoon portion of the Independence Day activities began with another concert by the Military Band, followed by speeches, musical selections, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The keynote speaker was Platteville Normal School President, Asa M. Royce.
While the day's activities were unfolding, Cuba City shops were open for business and hoped to draw revelers in, offering comfort and a safe space to store belongings.
Those still going strong after the morning and afternoon festivities were in luck, because the evening offered plenty more entertainment options. The Loeffelholz Bros. Auditorium hosted a grand ball, which was attended by many young people; free movies played in the city park; and fireworks wrapped up the impressive, day-long celebration.
If all of this wasn't enough, there was also some unadvertised entertainment in the form of a gambling tournament at George Wiederhold's saloon (now Doolittle's). The building was technically no longer a saloon, as serving alcohol was prohibited at this time, but the proprietor had come up with other ways to draw people in. Cuba City had gained a bit of a reputation as a gambling-friendly community, despite the activity being illegal.
While many pleasure-seekers in town for Independence Day may have been unaware of the tournament, the illicit activities did not go unnoticed by Grant County Sheriff Frank Heil, a Cuba City native. According to a Lancaster Herald article republished in the local newspaper, when Heil busted up the tournament, crowds of men fled the premises. In what was likely an unintentional nod to the holiday at hand, one fleeing gambler draped an American flag over a gambling wheel in the hopes that it might go unnoticed. It did not. The sheriff took into custody "the big wheel, a stack of coin and other devices." Saloon owner George Wiederhold and at least two other gentlemen were charged after the raid.
With its intrigue, adventure, and cultural pursuits, Cuba City's Independence Day celebration one hundred years ago certainly offered something for everyone, and likely held a special place in the memories of residents for years to come.
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| Advertisement for the festivities published in the Cuba City News-Herald (July 2, 1920). |
The day began calmly enough as a lovely morning dawned and residents woke and grabbed the milk bottles off their porch--delivered early because of the impending festivities. Those who wandered downtown might have admired the businesses decorated for the occasion as they settled in to enjoy a Main Street concert by the Cuba City Military Band and a traditional Independence Day parade, complete with floats and decorated cars.
Shortly after, sports enthusiasts made their way to the ball diamond for what had been billed as "a red hot game of baseball" between Platteville and New Diggings. The game turned out to be a bit of a snooze, though, as Platteville won, 10-0.
 |
| Baseball game advertisement published in the Cuba City News-Herald (June 25, 1920). |
Fortunately, plenty more thrills were on tap. A popular entertainment of the day involved stuntmen (like Harry Gardiner, pictured below) scaling the sides of tall buildings. Cuba City's "human fly" set his sights on the First National Bank. Though the daredevil claimed that he would climb using his hands and feet alone, according to newspaper editor Herman Goldthorpe, he was aided by a rope suspended from the bank roof. Goldthorpe's take on the stunt: "This feature, though risky, was not up to expectations."
 |
| Human Fly, Harry Gardiner, performing in New Jersey, 1915. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
What did not disappoint was the aviation portion of the day's festivities. Army-trained pilot Fred Curtiss of Dubuque's Star Taxi Co. arrived Saturday morning in his Curtiss JN-4 aircraft. The aviator performed hair-raising stunts for the audience, and then offered rides for the rest of the day. At least twenty brave souls took to the skies with Curtiss. At a time when simply seeing an aircraft was a rare treat, this must have been a breathtaking experience. The field belonging to Martin Rowe on the eastern edge of the village served as a landing strip. This would have been where Cody, Splinter, and Lincoln Streets are today.
 |
| The Curtiss JN-4 aircraft, nicknamed the "Jenny." Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
For those needing something a little tamer, the afternoon portion of the Independence Day activities began with another concert by the Military Band, followed by speeches, musical selections, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The keynote speaker was Platteville Normal School President, Asa M. Royce.
While the day's activities were unfolding, Cuba City shops were open for business and hoped to draw revelers in, offering comfort and a safe space to store belongings.
 |
| Advertisements published in the Cuba City News-Herald (July 2, 1920). |
Those still going strong after the morning and afternoon festivities were in luck, because the evening offered plenty more entertainment options. The Loeffelholz Bros. Auditorium hosted a grand ball, which was attended by many young people; free movies played in the city park; and fireworks wrapped up the impressive, day-long celebration.
If all of this wasn't enough, there was also some unadvertised entertainment in the form of a gambling tournament at George Wiederhold's saloon (now Doolittle's). The building was technically no longer a saloon, as serving alcohol was prohibited at this time, but the proprietor had come up with other ways to draw people in. Cuba City had gained a bit of a reputation as a gambling-friendly community, despite the activity being illegal.
While many pleasure-seekers in town for Independence Day may have been unaware of the tournament, the illicit activities did not go unnoticed by Grant County Sheriff Frank Heil, a Cuba City native. According to a Lancaster Herald article republished in the local newspaper, when Heil busted up the tournament, crowds of men fled the premises. In what was likely an unintentional nod to the holiday at hand, one fleeing gambler draped an American flag over a gambling wheel in the hopes that it might go unnoticed. It did not. The sheriff took into custody "the big wheel, a stack of coin and other devices." Saloon owner George Wiederhold and at least two other gentlemen were charged after the raid.
With its intrigue, adventure, and cultural pursuits, Cuba City's Independence Day celebration one hundred years ago certainly offered something for everyone, and likely held a special place in the memories of residents for years to come.
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