Our History | ||
Altona is a famous suburb of Europe that was founded by unhappy citizens of Hamburg, Germany who decided to start a new town. According to the legend, they blindfolded one of their members, and agreed that wherever he tripped and fell, they would establish their city. He had not gone very far from Hamburg before he fell. The fellows accompanying him were disappointed and cried out in Platt-Deutche, "Nein, das is Al-to-na!", which means "No that is all too near." (to Hamburg) In about 1840, Ferdinand Ostenteld, with some companions, left Schleswig-Holstein, Germany for America. | ||
They made their way by boat to Sheboygan, from there, with ox teams, to Plymouth, Greenbush, Fon du Lac, and north to Calumetville. Much impressed by the land and conditions, he journeyed back to his home in Germany to coax friends to venture back with him. Because of political unrest and impending war, many came with him. On the morning of May 29, 1848, Mr. Ostenteld and his group walked 11 miles east of Calumetville and established their homesteads. They named their new settlement New Holstein in honor of their home in Germany. Shortly thereafter, a group of settlers built their homes a short distance west of New Holstein. The new community covered the large triangle from the Triangle Tavern, west to Plymouth Street, north to Hwy 57 and southeast to Wisconsin Avenue. The new community was named Altona in honor of Altona, Germany. With the coming of the railroad in 1872, it was found that the railroad, which was then a large carrier of mail, had much confusion between Altona and the existing community of Altoona, located near Eau Claire. Because of the pressure from the railroad, the name Altona was dropped and the community became part of New Holstein. | ||
In 1937, Herman Muenster built a restaurant in New Holstein and named it Altona in honor of that past community. The Altona opened for business in November of 1937 and was run by Otto and Malanie Muenster (Trempe). The establishment was sold to William (Whitney) Wright in 1954. Edna Lodes, a long time employee of Mr. Wright, purchased the then much expanded Altona from Mr. Wright in February of 1968, and resold it to Harlee Suttner in November of 1971. | ||
Mr. Suttner deeded the property to his family trust in September of 1981. His son, Jeff and wife Therase Suttner operated the Altona until 1993 at which time it was purchased by Sharon Hertel. Sharon ran the Altona until 2004 and then sold it to Michael (Sharon) Steiner who operated under the name Hunter's Rae. | ||
Hunter's Rae was open for a short time before closing for business, and the supper club sat vacant for approximately a year and a half. On February 15, 2006, the legendary Cedar Lake Resort in the neighboring town of Kiel, that had been in business for 82 years and had been owned and operated for the last 21 years by the Glenn and Bridget Braun family, was completely destroyed by a tragic fire. The Braun family lost their business as well as all of their possessions and their home. |
||
Shortly after the fire, the Braun family purchased Hunter's Rae and came to New Holstein to re-establish their lively-hood. They restored the name of the restaurant back to the original historical Altona. Brauns brought with them their super staff and some great additions to make the Altona Supper Club a first-class restaurant and banquet facility. After one year in business, in 2007, Glenn's son, David Braun and Glenn's employee of many years, Jason Hunsader, took over the Altona Supper Club. They promise to provide their customers with delicious food and great service. |