A train depot and a few wooden store buildings were built.  The Union then advertised for immigrants in the Mid-West to move to a new Switzerland in America.  Union members had the first opportunity buy the lots; however, many lots were sold to immigrants from countries other than Switzerland.

 The first settlers lived in temporary barracks built on what is now South Park Avenue.  At first, many new arrivals could only afford to build two room houses, just enough for their families to survive the first year.  Additions were soon added.  The style of the first generation houses was similar to the late Victorian and Colonial revival houses that were common for that era.

By 1899, the New Switzerland Township merged with the small town of Hohenwald and assumed its name.  The Kursheedt Manufacturing Company of New York bought a large central portion of the District in 1901, and built an embroidery factory and houses for its supervisors.

Each lot in the District was fenced and animals were allowed to roam free on thew streets until the 1920's.  Most lots were small farms, complete with a garden patch and a barn for horses, cattle and chickens.

Hohenwald began to prosper in the 1920's, and second generation houses were constructed in the District in the Arts and Crafts style.  Three of the oldest houses were "modernized" in the 1920's by adding a stucco facade and bungalow features.

The next major wave of building in the District occurred during and immediately after World War II.

Be sure to look at the full story on our website, and download the tour and map so you can do the walking tour of the Historic District when you are here.  Start your journey at the Lewis County Museum of Natural History where you can purchase the booklet and learn more about Lewis County and its settlement in Hohenwald.