This geocache is part of the West Bend GeoTour:
Twenty geocaches have been hidden throughout our historic city that highlight the best of West Bend in any season!
To earn a geocoin, teams must pick up a West Bend GeoTour Passport from the Chamber of Commerce (preferred method) or download a passport. Collect 25 points as detailed in the passport. See complete details at visitwestbend.com/geocaching-2.
Remember to record the password from this cache in your GeoTour Passport!
GeoTour Stop #18: Historic Timmer's Resort
In 1863, Mathias and Margaret Timmer emigrated from Germany, ultimately settling in the Town of West Bend. They purchased the property that is now known as Timmer's Resort on January 4, 1864.
The first building was completed and opened in 1882 as a hotel. Their daughter, Mary, acted as hostess and greeted guests as they arrived from Schlesingerville (Slinger) by buggies and a horse drawn bus. The rectangular "TIMMER" stone near the parking area served as a step to be used when arriving in carriages. This stone is still there today.
In 1907, Leonard and Rose Timmer became the owners and additional cottages were erected, with electricity and running water added in 1926.
The Resort survived during both Prohibition and the Great Depression. The Prohibition years forced the owners to have beer smuggled into the resort from a Chicago brewery via a neighbor's pie truck. And bartering became a way of life during the depression years to assure that guests were properly fed and housed.
The property continued to be managed by the Timmer family until 2007. For more information about its history, visit Timmer's Resort.
The Geocache: You are looking for a regular-sized container with room for some swag and trackables. This cache is available any season, but may be tricky with a lot of snow. Permission was granted to hide this cache.