Avalanche

Written by Mrs. Albin Neprud about 30 years ago.

Avalanche is a village which, “Old Timers” say got its name from a landslide when the point of a high bluff slid down into the valley and formed a nice building spot. It is located on the west branch of the Kickapoo River at the junction of county roads “S” & “Y” At the present time there is very little activity here. At one time it boasted of having a cooperage factory, a feed and flour mill, a wool-carding and knitting mill, a wagon and blacksmith shop, a saw mill, a large general store including a full line of farm machinery, buggies and sleighs, etc., a post office, a creamery, and a one-room school. Some years later this school house became too small so a two room state graded school house was built. This closed its doors in the sixties like most rural schools did. The building now houses a country store. The co-op creamery was located across the river on the east side of the village. The farmers brought their cream here where it was made into butter. This building was swept away by the flood in 1907. The buttermaker and Brown Borreson were in it at the time. They somehow managed to get on the roof and rode it down stream until it hit the bridge at the Tink Caldwell farm, where they managed to escape to safety. A new creamery was built on the west side of town, where butter was made for many years. When cheese became more profitable it became a cheese factory. By the year 1946 the cheese factory was not doing very well. Larger factories were paying higher prices to the farmers for their milk so many started to deliver elsewhere. With this condition prevailing, the farmers voted to file bankruptcy. In 1947 the building and lot were put up for sale.

It was about this time that the government sent notices that church related activities could no longer be held in school houses. After that happened, the Ladies Aid and Sunday School joined and bought the old cheese factory building for $1,500. There was much interest in this so the whole community pitched in to help remodel the building. Those who were unable to help brought lunch for workers and others brought money. This remodeling was finished in time so they were able to hold their first Christmas program there in December 1947.

Today as you drive through Avalanche you will see the nice white little building with its back up against the west bluff. The willow tree shading the front entrance was planted by Stanley Hoilien. The sign over the front door reads, “Avalanche Lutheran Chapel”. Sunday School, Ladies Aid and an occasional service were held there until 1986. Then the Sunday School closed its doors. This was not for lack of willing workers but like the little rural school, for lack of pupils.