WALES HISTORY AND MORE
Did you know?
The community of Wales began in 1882. A centennial anniversary was held in 1982. In August 2022, a celebration of 100 years of the Wales Village was held.
Wales originated on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad track splitting the Elias farm (now a bike trail). A train depot was constructed and lots were platted to form a settlement. The Elias' also constructed the Wales Victorian house (pictured right), later owned by George Webb (George Webb Restaurant entrepreneur)
The community was named Wales because the Elias' and most of their Welsh farm neighbors had been born in Wales, Great Britain.
Wales had a downtown consisting of a bank, Cracker Barrel-type-store with produce and meat, blacksmith shoe-maker, grain elevator, creamery, lumber yard, hardware store, post office, hotel and more.
The first Wales bank is now a coffee shop. A second bank is now the Village Hall.
The above information and more can be found at: visitwaleswi.org.
Photo credit: Village of Wales