Canning Company

## Columbus Canning Company/Antique Mall

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The Columbus Canning Company was one of Wisconsin's many Canning Companies that primarily operated throughout the 20th Century. Columbus' company was founded in 1900, and later became known as the Stokely Canning Company, before finally being shut down in 1977. Beginning in April 1983, the remaining building of the factory, constructed in 1910, began serving as the location of the Columbus Antique Mall, which is today Wisconsin's largest.

## History

The company was founded in 1900, and as its name suggests, it produced various canned fruits and vegetables. The original structures consisted of a giant grain silo, the Horicon Branch Viner Station building, and the main factory buildings. several barn styled buildings were also located near the grain silo. In 1910, the factory area was heavily expanded with new buildings. The majority of the 1910 additions are what currently survives today. By the 1930's only one of the original three smokestacks at the back of the building was still standing, this also survives today. At-least two smaller smokestacks were also originally located near the front of the factory, and according to an illustrated 1905 postcard, a large one was also once present here. Between 1942-1945, roughly 370 German POW's worked here, as-well as at the city's Dry Milk Company. The Canning Company became a "Branch Camp" location, meaning that they were only occupied by Prisoners of War when work was available nearby. Only German prisoners worked at these locations, whilst Japanese prisoners and others would be stationed at base camps. Two prisoners escaped from Columbus' location one day during their shift, 19-year old Otto Gorschluter and 30-year old Wilhelm Ermeling. They were free for approximately 16 hours, before Gorschluter was tired and decided to wander back to the camp. Ermeling was apprehended after stopping at a farm for water and being recognized. Few Wisconsin prisoners tried escaping, because they were usually given comfortable living conditions and treated fairly. In 1977, after almost eight decades of operation, the Columbus Canning Company finally ceased operations. On July 1st of that year, the Fire-Department had to come to put out a massive-fire that engulfed the Horicon Branch Viner Station building, the only remaining building of the site left from 1900, destroying it in the process. By April 1983, the remaining roughly 82,000 square-feet building was turned into the Columbus Antique Mall which soon became Wisconsin's largest, and still operates today. For many years it also contained the small Christopher Columbus Museum, which was finally removed from the site in late 2022. In 2003, the nearby building formerly used as an office for the Canning Company, was turned into the short-lived "Bookstore Cafe". This building has since sat unused for many years.

## Gallery

The location in a 1905 Postcard.The Canning Company in 1911.A 1911 Postcard from the viewpoint of the nearby dam.Another Postcard from about 1911 of the nearby mill and dam, with the canning company in the background.The Power Plant & The Canning Company as seen from the Railroad in 1912.The Canning Company and the Railroad in a 1915 photo.The Horicon Branch Building in 1920.The Canning Company in the background of a photo of the nearby Dam.The Plant's July 1st 1977 fire.A Modern illustration depicting the original buildings.A Tin Board Ad Reproduction.