Historical Marker 52: Masonic Home
Hwy. 18, near Dousman, Waukesha County
In the fall of 1836 Elisha Edgerton and his wife Belinda came here in their wagon drawn by oxen. They cleared the land and built their farm home, with buildings recognized as a Wisconsin Premium Farm by the State Agricultural Society. Episcopal services were held in a small chapel over the carriage house for early settlers of the surrounding area. In 1865 Edgerton sold the farm to inventor-manufacturer George Washington van Brunt, who built the tall mansion in 1873 and made the Premium Farm a showplace. After van Brunt's death his children operated the farm as Springdale Resort, but the popularity of resorts dependent upon springs soon waned. Ajalon Spring still provided water for the entire installation. In 1905 Willard van Brunt, nephew of George, took over the farm, made extensive improvements, and presented it to the Masonic Grand Lodge as a home for old members.
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[Source: McBride, Sarah Davis. History Just Ahead (Madison:WHS, 1999).]