Explore Highland Illinois & Its History
Looking for something to do this weekend? Would you like to learn more about Highland’s history?
“Highland is often a must-see for day tour groups from throughout the Midwest. The community offers a number of interesting tour stops for people of all ages.
For example, the Louis Latzer Homestead is a great tourist stop! The Helvetia Milk Condensing Company was founded in Highland in 1855 (the name was later changed to Pet Milk). Today, visitors can tour the restored Victorian home Mr. Latzer built in 1901. This house is unusual for its age because it features a telephone, running water, a manufactured gas light system and speaking tubes between many of the rooms.
The Kaeser Park and Museum was originally a stagecoach stop built in 1840. Today the brick structure houses a museum with historical items from Highland’s business community, city government and civic/social organizations.”
excerpt from Highland Illinois Chamber of Commerce website:
https://www.highlandillinois.com/tourism.html
Louis Latzer Homestead
The Latzer Homestead is a 78 ½ acre farm property located at 1464 Old Trenton Road, south of Highland, in rural Madison County IL.
Immigrating in December 1846 from Tyrol Austria, Alois Latzer would settle in Helvetia Township on the land that would eventually become known as the Louis Latzer Homestead in 1847. Alois would receive his naturalization papers and citizenship on May 13th, 1847. He would go on to marry Margaret Caduff, who had recently immigrated from Switzerland, in 1847. The union of this marriage would result in the birth of Louis in 1848 and John in 1852.
Alois would become heavily engaged in farming and built a comfortable home adjacent to the future site of the current homestead residence. Louis would take over the family farm in 1869 after Alois Latzer returned to Austria.
The current farmhouse, sitting center-east on the property, was constructed by local Highland carpenter Martin Ulrich in 1901 at the request of Louis Latzer for his family. The quintessential late Queen Anne Victorian residence is of a wood frame construction with Greek revival style influences while featuring an asymmetrical floor plan and stained glass windows. At the time of its construction, Martin Ulrich incorporated many of the modern technological developments of the time into its design. These technological developments include running water pumped by hand to a holding tank in the attic, a manufactured gas light system, speaking tubes between rooms, and one of the first telephones in the community.
Maintaining the same parcel boundaries since the homestead was established, the Latzer Homestead grounds are available for rent, with the proceeds going towards the upkeep and preservation of the property. We have hosted various events including weddings and showers.
Tours of the homestead, the Pet Milk Museum, and rentals can be arranged by contacting the caretaker at 618.654.7957. Groups of eight or more are preferred for tours, however, smaller groups can be arranged.
Active months for tours and rentals are from APRIL to NOVEMBER.
Kaeser Park (History Museum)
The Highland History Museum (housed at Kaeser Memorial Park) is open on the first Sunday of each month for tours. The museum has many items from businesses important to Highland history as well as items from Highland organizations. Tours are conducted from 1 to 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month from April to Novemeber. A $3 donation is suggested.
Kaeser Park is named in honor of Dr. Albert F. Kaeser, a prominent Highland, Illinois physician. It is considered a city park but was renovated by the Highland Historical Society in 1986. The house itself was built in two sections. The first was built in 1835 and the second in 1875.
At one time, the house was used as a stagecoach stop. It contains a kitchen and bedroom from the 1800s time period and additionally contains two Highland History rooms. Many of the home’s original features remain intact. The barn has been restored as an exact replica of the original, including the use of old barn siding.
The upstairs houses the log cabin building museum with original tools and a display explaining how each tool was used. Though not period correct, the home now also has an indoor restroom.
The building also houses many Highland artifacts.
Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library
“After the death of the late Louis Latzer, one of the most prominent and helpful men that ever figured in the industrial life of Highland, his six children erected as a monument to his memory the Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library. Louis had made his fortune after he perfected the formula for canning milk which was sold through his company PET Milk. The cornerstone was officially laid in 1928, and the building was dedicated in 1929. It is an elegant stone structure of imposing design and built to stand the test of time. The building cost more than $100,000 and was endowed by the builders to the extent of $25,000. Later, there were two additions to the library which included the opening of the Jennie Latzer Kaeser Children’s Library in 1983. The Latzer family still remains dedicated and involved in the library that was built in honor of their great-grandfather.
Today, the library is busier than ever, offering not only over 40,000 books but also DVDs, CDs & BCDs. True to our motto “more than books,” we offer the checkout of telescopes, binoculars, ukuleles, record players, cassette players, an electric guitar & amp, etc.”
The library also features a Genealogy/History room with access to dozens of pieces of genuine Highland history! That’s not to mention the online resources and access to ancestral databases available to library patrons who wish to explore their own ancestry.
excerpt from Highland Illinois Chamber of Commerce website:
https://www.highlandillinois.com/library.html
More Historical Sites!
Schiller Chapel
12301 Koepfli Lane, Highland, Illinois 62249
City Hall Belfry & Fire Bell
1201 BROADWAY HIGHLAND, IL 62249