THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

February 9, 1995

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            Richard Lea came to Waupaca in 1864 and in 1865 had purchased the old Judson store on the corner of what today is South Main and West Fulton streets.  This old wooden structure was the largest store in Waupaca at that time.

            By the late 1870s fires had destroyed all of the buildings between West Fulton and West Union streets.  It was at this time Richard Lea built the brick structure that stands today.

            By observing the appearance of the outside structure, it can be seen that a newer brick building was added adjoining the west end of the Richard Lea building extending to the alley.

            This one half, or part of Lot 1, Block K, has become the oldest continual eating establishment in Waupaca.

            My oldest confirmed location giving proprietor names and dates was found in the “Waupaca Record” newspaper dated April 22, 1909.  It shows that John Peterson sold his popular New England Coffee House to John Mortensen.  The “Waupaca Record” for September 7, 1911:  “John Mortensen retired after two years and sold his business to Amos Rice.”  Then in 1912, Amos Rice sold out to Fred Larson and Arthur C. White.  This is the same Art White who later became partners in the pool hall on Main Street with Henry Buedding.

            Mr. White dissolved partnership with Mr. Larson and moved his New England Coffee House to 118 South Main Street.  Here he had a formal opening on Sunday, Oct. 17, 1915.  Fred Larson remained at their old location and it became known as Larson’s Dairy Lunch.  Mr. Larson sold out to L.W. Davis in 1918.

            The next proprietors at this location were Guy H. McLean and a Mr. Anderson. In December of 1922.  Guy H. McLean bought out his partner and became the sole operator of the Modern Restaurant.  It was still called the Modern Restaurant for several years after, under the proprietors of Dave Allen, then followed by Reid McLean and Douglas Paulson.

            Dave Allen purchased the restaurant property from the Farmers State Bank September 30, 1939, who had just purchased all of Lot 1, Block K, from the Richard Lea Estate.  Warranty Deed volume 137 page 589.  “Dave Allen and wife Gladys Allen purchased from the Farmers State Bank the West 29 feet of Lot 1, Bock K for $5,000 subject, however, to the right-of-way across that part of the West 29 feet of Lot 1, Block K, which lies south of the building now located on said premises being a strip of land approximately 7 feet in width off the south of the west 29 feet, which right-of-way is for the purpose of access to the remainder of the lot.  Subject also to the right to use as a party wall, the east wall of the building erected on the premises herein described by the land lying immediately east of, and adjoining the tract herein described, but permitting no enlargement or extension.”

            Turning back the time to an old Waupaca newspaper dated September 1, 1904.  It stated in effect that James Paris was moving his barbershop from his present location in the Hebblewhite building on Main Street to the Richard Lea building on Fulton Street.  His new quarters were repainted, repapered and a new floor was installed.

            The “Waupaca Record,” April 1, 1909, carried a large ad:  “White’s Restaurant meals at all hours, full line of confections and cigars.  We make a specialty of our 25¢ dinners served at noon.”  I found no further reference to this restaurant, or a Mr. White.  Could Arthur C. White possibly have operated here before 1912?  This restaurant and the James Paris barbershop ties in with the following newspaper information.

            The “Waupaca Post” for April 23, 1908:  “The business at White’s Restaurant has grown to such proportions that a larger room must be provided and to this end the room now being used by J.M. Paris as a barbershop has been secured and work will begin at once to take out the partition between this and the restaurant and the rooms will be thrown together. The front of the building will be remodeled and plate glass windows will be installed.”

            Reid McLean was the next one after Dave Allen to run the Modern Restaurant.  It was about 1952, when Reid McLean sold his restaurant business to Mr. and Mrs. Bob Schwarz, who renamed it to the Capawa Café. Effective on or before September 15, 1957.  Mr. and Mrs. Bob Schwarz sold the Capawa Café business to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Campbell.  From here on this restaurant has been known as the Waupaca Café under many different operators.

            I have contacted several of the former operators of the Waupaca Café to find out the proper order of the various operators.  After the Campbells, there was Merle Schultz, Irene Mertz, Darrell Lipke, Rita Waush, Tom Cornelly, Mrs. Carlisle Olson and Jeffrey Olson, Paul and Lillian Kubisiak, Maurice Depuis, Pat Arnold and Kathy Kotavak, and lastly Pat Arnold as Pat’s Waupaca Café.