Within a few years after completion of the Old Military Road, other roads came into being.  In some instances, it was merely the widening of and old Indian Trail. In others, actual surveys were made to establish a nearly direct route, taking into consideration, of course, avoiding natural  obstacles like bluffs,lakes and marshes along the way. Travelers from either Madison or Milwaukee going to Stevens Point and beyond, usually came up what is now highway 73 northwest of Markesan. With Lake Puckaway and the marshes along the Fox River to the west, and with Green Lake and marshes to the east, highway 73 travels a natural and narrow isthmus north and south.

Henry Dantz was born in Essex County, New York State, on Sept. 8, 1804 in a backwoods cabin.  His father John Dantz,was a Hessian soldier in the Revolutionary War and during the conflict was either captured or deserted. He married an English girl and settled in upper state New York, where he cleared land and engaged in farming. His son, Henry Dantz emigrated to Columbia County, Wisconsin, in 1850 when so many from New York State were coming this way. He bought  160 acres in what was later the village of Randolph and is believed to be its first settler. Later in 1850 he sold out and moved to Green Lake Township(which was then called Dayton Township) where he purchased 80 acres..

A home was built by Henry Dantz on what was called the "four corners" of the main traveled, cleared road between Milwaukee or Madison to Stevens Point. The building was soon enlarged to serve as a Tavern or Inn,with food,drink and lodging for man and beast. It became known as Dantz'sTavern and was also a Way Station on the stagecoach line which regularly traveled this route. Henry operated the tavern until 1870 when he moved to Princeton.

The former Dantz Tavern rural school, located about a half-mile to the east of the Innn, housed the scholars of the district for many years until the annexation by the Markesan District No. 3. 

Dantz Tavern & Inn on "four corners"

 

 The new Dantz Tavern School.

 Ed Buchholz, teacher, with his students. Circa 1919.

  Mabel Affeldt is pictured in this photo...which girl?

 

 A good number of former students of Dantz Tavern School came together to share memories of their time at the school.  Reunion was September 14, 1997.

 

 According to Jerry Boelter, this photo shows the  last group of  students to attend Dantz Tavern School. The school was formally closed June of 1963..

 Mrs. Claire Cotter, teacher, with her students.

 The Original Dantz Tavern School was located about a half mile to the east of the Dantz Tavern & Inn along the north side of Cty BB. This photo was taken by Otto Affeldt. When the school closed, Otto with his team of horses moved the building to the corner of the lot to open-up the area for construction of a new Dantz Tavern School.  The new school was built around 1919. Recent teachers were Mrs. Avis Carley, Mrs. Petersen, and Mrs. Carol Groose. The old school functioned as a machine shed and a place for dances for a period of time.

According to Jerry Boelter, the school built in 1919 closed in 1963 when he was in the fourth grade. Faith Lutheran Church purchased the school building and held services in it until a new church and school were constructed on Hwy 73 south of Manchester. The school was sold and is now the residence for Mark Rude.

 Pupils of Dantz's Tavern School

 

 Pupils of Dantz Tavern School

 

 Early photo of the original Dantz Tavern School.

 

 Pictured is Avis Carley who taught at the Dantz Tavern School after Mrs. Thelma Petersen transferred to Markesan Elementary School.  Avis Carley was from the Berlin area.

Christmas Party( December1954) at Dantz Tavern School. Photo provided by Kurt Petersen.

Thanks to Chuck and Jean Daye and Arwin Moldenhauer who have helped identify some of the students in this photo.

Front row: (L to R) Nancy Sell, Ann Affeldt, Jean Prochnow, Bill McAfee, Chuck Daye, Eldon Moldenhauer, Dennis Prochnow, girl, Joe Guderski.

Second row: (L to R) Girl with glasses could be Arlene , Arlette Moldenhauer, Alan Affeldt, next three students unidentied.

Third row: (L to R) Tagatz girl, Curt Prochnow, Judy Tagatz, Eldon Boelter, Elwood Severson, Harold Wuerch, Jr.

Back row: (L to R) Lawrence Randall, Fran Guderski, Betty Wagner, Teacher-Jane Wallschleger, Donna Tagatz, Arwin Moldenhauer, LaVerne Randall.

  Mrs.Thelma Petersen taught at Dantz Tavern School from 1953 to 1957. She was hired by Wilmer Gorske.She then moved to Markesan Elementary School where she taught for two years.  She died in an auto accident in June of 1959.

(Thank you to Kurt Petersen, Thelma's son, for providing correct information about his mother.)