Adapted from "Timmer's, Land Bearing Witness to an American Century," which appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of Water Line
Photo courtesy of Matt Krueger
Creating
A Landmark
By Mary Jo Joyce
Many things have changed since Mathias Timmer first laid claim in 1864 to 80 beautiful and busy acres that stretched from the shore of Big Cedar Lake to the crest of Fox Hill. Much of what changed contributed threads to what wove the fabric of an all-American tale. Yet the inherent splendor of the property that initially attracted a young Matthias so many years ago will now remain forever. All who love this area should celebrate that the naturally beautiful Timmer property, a local landmark, is preserved for generations to come. Excerpts from a Timmer family publication describe a bit of its colorful history:
"In 1863 Mathias and Margaret Timmer settled in the Town of West Bend...in 1882 the (main) building opened as a hotel....Loggers were met at the (then) Schlesingerville depot by buggies and horse-drawn carriages...All food was grown and raised on the surrounding farmland...Electricity and running water were installed in 1926...During Prohibition, beer was obtained by concealing it in a neighbor's pie truck. Ironically, the depression saw Timmer's prosper and grow...By 1940 John and Beryl Timmer assumed the responsibility...Much of the (war) time was spent bartering ration stamps and otherwise improvising...In the 1940s, the Milwaukee Ski Club cleared what is now Fox Hill,...one of the first ski hills in operation in the Midwest...Throughout this period, slot machines provided a major source of income."
Surviving Development
Just as the spirit of Timmer's survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, two world wars and high speed chair lifts, so, too, has this land survived today's thoughtless and even threatening development trends. Geoffrey G. Maclay, the president of the Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation, began working with the Timmer family to preserve natural areas in these watersheds in the mid 1980s.
Some original Timmer acreage was protected in 1989 when development rights to 18 acres of slopes at Fox Hill were purchased by the Foundation. This innovative transaction kept skiers happy while moving the red ink of the hill's operations to black and simultaneously kept the bulldozers at bay.
Subsequent purchases and agreements with other land holders, initiated by the Foundation, eventually surrounded the ski hill with what is now the 145-acre Klingler Fox Hill Nature Conservancy. Today, the entire preserve is enjoyed by hikers, skiers and anyone with eyes to see.
Final Agreement
Agreement
ratified on January 8, 2002, completed the project of legally
securing the Timmer family's wishes for the future of what,
through generations, became seven individual parcels. Back lands
were purchased and lakefront properties were deed restricted to
prevent development beyond the family's election to reserve two
possible
future home sites. Timmer's Restaurant and cottages
will remain active for as long as the family wishes.
During a conversation with Geoff Maclay, Beryl Timmer, John's widow, rejoiced that she had satisfied a dream she had shared with her late husband.
"I have always known that what we truly hoped for was some way to preserve this land without burdening our children. When I look across the fields, I want them to stay just as beautiful and natural as they are today," she said.
Since 2002, the Foundation has undertaken several projects designed to improve environmental conditions on the Timmer's property. Many invasive species along the road way have been removed as have stands of Box Elder that grew along the fence lines. The soft maple is known for its invasive characteristics. Other than these efforts, little will change at Timmer's. Tales of slot machines and bootleggers may grow older and richer yet the beautiful natural areas of Timmer's will simply grow better--until the end of time.
Cedar Lakes
Conservation Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 347
West Bend, Wisconsin 53095
AskCLCF@clcf.info