I'm impressed with the work of one of the Fox Valley's local historian, Chad Wolf, who has just launched a new website with historical information about Appleton. The site is AppletonHistoryClub1857.com. There is a great collection of links to information sites and photos, and some interesting tidbits such as photographic evidence from 1881 that Appleton's Waverly Masonic Lodge was probably the first Masonic Lodge in the world with electric light. (Chad writes that this "makes sense, since almost every individual involved in the purchase of the hydro-electric patent in Appleton were members of the lodge.")

One of the most intriguing gems in this site is a document providing Chad's original research into an intriguing mystery regarding the first Mayor of Appleton, Amos Story (link is to a Word document). Is it possible that the mysterious Amos Story was actually the former Supreme Court Justice, Judge Joseph Story? If so, this is a remarkable finding and an amazing story. Look at the evidence, then let me know what you think. I would love for this to be true - which makes it difficult to be unbiased. So help me out.

Thanks, Chad, for an important contribution to the Fox Valley!