Books

"Verona Centennial" by Alice Kunstman, 1947.

Librarian and longtime resident Alice Kunstman gave us a real gift when she wrote this book for Verona's centennial in 1947.  She interviewed residents about their families memories dating back to the mid 1800s and combined those with important dates and events around town.  We are forever grateful this work was done and these stories were not lost.  It is made available here with permission from her son William Kunstman in sept 2016.

"Verona Area History, Quasquicentennial 1847-1972", by Ken Behnke.

In 1972 Ken Behnke continued the work of Alice Kunstman's earlier book, adding 25 more years of events and also a wealth of earlier photographs and stories collected for Verona's 125th anniversary.  The magic of 1972 is there were still enough people around who remembered the late 1800s that their photos added here came with first hand accounts and identifications!  The book was published by the Verona Press and is sometimes identified as the author having the Press' editor at the time Hank Schroeder.  It is made available here with the permission of Ken Behnke and the Verona Press / Unified Newspaper Group from January 2020.

"A Sesquicentennial History of Verona, 1847-1997", by Karl Curtis.

Another great anniversary saw another great local author update the 1847 and 1972 Verona history books above!  This time it was Karl Curtis, who also wrote for the Verona Press for many years.  Karl mixes in quotes and stories from the preceding works, fills in the next 25 years, and adds his own observations, research, and style to Verona's story.  It is made available here with the permission of Karl Curtis and the Verona Press / Unified Newspaper Group from January 2020.

"Down at the Nest" by John Scharer.  2011.

   Lifelong Verona resident John Scharer records memories and stories from "The Eagles Nest" hotel / restaurant / bar which existed in Verona's main intersection from around 1850 to1970. His family owned and operated the nest from 1936 to 1966.

    Journalist Judy Oppert wrote of the Eagle's nest "...tales about this building will linger for a long time.  It was once a doctor's home, stage relay station, saloon, hotel, home of a lady of poor character, 'speak easy', front for Chicago gangsters, and popular college hangout".

    This PDF file includes four extra chapters not found in the original printed version.  It is made available here with permission from John Scharer.

"Verona, Wisconsin Civil War Veterans 1861-1865" by Edward Faber. 2011, revised 2014.

    Verona citizen and history enthusiast Ed Faber presents the results of his research into Verona's 106 Civil War veterans.  This book contains both rosters and short summaries of events in the lives of these soldiers.  It is made available here with permission from Ed Faber's son.

"St. James Lutheran Church, Verona, WI, 1886-1986" by Ruth Jensen, 1986.

     Written on the Centennial anniversary of St. James Lutheran Church in Verona, WI.  An inclusive and detailed look back at the church's first hundred years, drawn from multiple sources including old church minutes in German.

"Dane County Hospital and Home, Verona, Wisconsin" by Walter Kietzke, et al.  1993.

    A collection of research related to the Dane County Poor House / Home, Poor Farm, and Asylum/Hospital done by longtime Verona residents in the early 1990s.  This group was organizing information and assistance in erecting the plaque that still stands on the site of the old House and Home cemetery B/C on East Verona Avenue, next to Gus' Diner.  Included are names of people buried in this cemetery and another lost cemetery "A".