In the early twentieth century, the city of Whitewater earned the moniker Second Salem due to rumors surrounding the existence of witches and demons in the region. This legend likely originated from the Morris Pratt Institute, a spiritualist organization located in the town.
During the mid-1800s, Pratt and his brothers relocated from upstate New York to Wisconsin. Possessing a strong inclination towards spiritualism, Pratt established the Pratt Institute in 1888 and officially opened its doors in 1889. Throughout his tenure as the institute’s director, Pratt maintained a discreet demeanor. He personally undertook the design and construction of the building, which stood at the intersection of present-day Center Street and Fremont Street. Over the years, the Whitewater Register reported various aspects of the institution, including its curriculum encompassing psychic research, comparative religion, evolution, and the study of the Bible in connection with spiritualist principles. Additionally, weekly séances took place in the all-white room located on the third floor of the school.
Morris Pratt passed away in 1902 at the age of 81, but the school was handed over to the Morris Pratt Institution Association, which transformed it into an institution offering both general studies and spiritual studies. Operating in Whitewater until 1946, the school experienced a temporary closure during the Great Depression. Subsequently, the institute relocated to Milwaukee and continues its active presence to this day. In the 1950s, the original building was purchased by AT&T and subsequently demolished.
As time passed, a series of additional curious occurrences breathed new life into this captivating narrative. The town became infamous for its connections to gatherings of witches at the enigmatic Witchtower, a water tower nestled within Starin Park. Furthermore, the community was plagued by baffling murders, unsettling encounters with unearthly beings in the depths of the lake, and a host of unexplainable phenomena that only deepened the enigma surrounding the place.
Whitewater has its fair share of haunting tales, and some of them strike close to the Whitewater University campus itself. In an article published by The Week in 1996, the spotlight was on Myrtle, a cook for boarding students at our university. Myrtle’s life took a dark turn when she entered into a marriage with Edward Shaude, the proprietor of a local milk business. Their union appeared blissful until Myrtle’s heart became captivated by a Whitewater student, compelling her to commit a heinous act. In 1922, she resorted to poisoning her husband, forever earning the notorious moniker of the “poison widow.”
Author Linda Godfrey highlights the existence of the witch’s triangle in her book titled “Haunted Wisconsin, Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Badger State.” This peculiar triangle is formed by Oak Grove Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, and Calvary Cemetery, situated in close proximity to the Williams Center and Fischer Hall. It is believed that all areas within this isosceles triangle are haunted, with spirits frequently traversing between the cemeteries. Interestingly, the Pratt Institute used to occupy the exact center of these three burial grounds.
This region of south central Wisconsin also encompasses the territory of the Beast of Bray Road, a creature resembling a werewolf, which was frequently sighted in the early 1990s. Additionally, there is the enigmatic figure known as the Wild Man of La Grange, who was apprehended by local authorities in 1929. These peculiar occurrences, notable figures, and unique architectural landmarks constitute an integral part of our shared history, endowing our locality with its distinctiveness.
Second Salem capitalizes on the rich history of Whitewater and its legends by offering a range of craft beverages that pay homage to its heritage. Their diverse selection includes enticing choices such as The Beast of Bray Road Amber Ale, Wytches Brew Coffee Porter, Black Mass Stout, Old Main Golden Ale, Witchtower Pale Ale, Bone Orchard IPA, Killer Hill Winter Ale, The Reaper Pale Wheat Ale, the Wild Man of La Grange Hefeweizen, and many more. These brews come in various styles, with some being their signature offerings and others available seasonally, ensuring a wide array of options throughout the year.
Christ G. Christon is a first-generation immigrant and a native of Whitewater. His journey began at the tender age of 8 when he started washing dishes at his father’s restaurant, Novak’s Family Restaurant. As the years went by, Christon gradually worked his way up to become a short-order line cook during the day, while also honing his skills as a pizza maker at his father’s pizzeria, Gus’ Pizza Palace, during the evenings.
After completing studies at UW – Whitewater in 2003, he took on the role of full-time manager of Gus’ Pizza. In May of 2010, an exciting opportunity presented itself when he bought out his father’s share of Novak’s Restaurant. Novak’s went through a significant transformation and reemerged as Lakeside Pub. Meanwhile, Christon’s family continued to manage Gus’ Pizza, which was conveniently situated across the street. The creation of Lakeside Pub provided Christon with the perfect opportunity to pursue his true passion: brewing craft beer. With a vision in mind, Christon remodeled the back banquet room into a pub. The renovated section of the establishment was named Lakefront Pub and proudly opened its doors in 2011.
Forward to 2014, Christon and Thayer Coburn, also a resident of Whitewater, along with fellow supporters renovated the building so that it now includes the brewing area, the pub area, a meeting room and a new Tap Room, and launched the Second Salem Brewing Company as a craft brewery and restaurant.
Thayer Coburn, is a fourth a fourth-generation Whitewater native, who drank his first craft beer while attending college in California during the West Coast’s craft brewing explosion of the early 90’s, is a retired opera singer. Thayer divided his time between Second Salem and The Coburn Company, his family’s wholesale farm equipment and printing business founded in 1925.
The brewery has a one-barrel nanobrewery. Second Salem’s has a variety of brewing equipment, including a 1-barrel BrauKon brewhouse, a 7-barrel fermenter, and a 3-barrel brite tank. The brewery also has a canning line, which allows them to distribute their beer throughout Wisconsin. Recently they added a second barrel.
According to the employees of Second Salem, they firmly believe that the establishment is haunted. This building has stood since the 1800s, serving various purposes over the years, including a blacksmith shop, a furniture store, and a boiler unit company, among others.
The Tap Room boasts a generous space that offers plentiful seating and a lively ambiance, ensuring patrons can thoroughly enjoy their visit. For those desiring a more exclusive affair, an additional room is available to host special events. Moreover, guests can unwind on the patio, where they can soak in the picturesque vistas of Cravath Lake, adding a delightful touch of serenity to their experience.
The Taproom’s vast interior is adorned with prominent posters meticulously detailing the unique characteristics of their diverse beer selection. Christon holds a special fondness for the visual representation associated with his light-colored wheat beer, known as “The Reaper.” The imagery showcases the Grim Reaper atop an Esterly Reaper, a historic wheat harvesting device pioneered by the Esterly family in Whitewater during the mid-1800s. To enhance the connection to eerie mythology, the reaper (including the Grim Reaper!) is depicted being pulled by a spectral dark horse amidst sheaves of wheat.
Second Salem Brewing Company offers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, and ales. It also has a full kitchen that serves up pub fare, such as burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas. The brewery is open seven days a week and has a taproom with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.
