Ben Wellenstein graduated from UW-Madison in December of 2023 majoring in English with a certificate in History. Ben continues to pursue his interests of history, literature, and music both in his career field and freetime. Thank you to all of Wisconsin 101 for helping to publish the essays.
By this author:
Object History: Hawks Inn
Standing at two-and-a-half stories, the image of Hawks Inn would have filled travelers with hope and relief during their trek along the stagecoach route from Milwaukee to Madison, as the inn served not only as a place of refuge but also of entertainment. During the mid-1800s, stagecoaches became the main mode of transportation, and stagecoach inns were simultaneously constructed to serve as lodging for overnight travelers.
Nelson Hawks and Delafield’s Beginnings
When Nelson Hawks first arrived in the area that is now Delafield, there were no hotels, no mills, churches, or stores of any kind—only a few cabins and the pioneers that occupied them. This would greatly change in the twenty-three years that he lived in this area. Hawks had come to the area because he recognized the potential of Delafield's location along stagecoach routes, which made for the perfect place to construct a stop to cater to travelers.