Bryant, WI

Bryant is a small town located in Dane County, Wisconsin. The population was 1,868 at the 2010 census. Bryant is home to the Bryant Cheese Factory and the Bryant Homestead Museum.

The history of real estate in Bryant can be traced back to 1836 when John and Margaret Bryant settled on a tract of land near what is now the cheese factory. In 1845, they built a log cabin on their property which served as their home until 1851 when they erected a frame house. The Bryants were among the first settlers in what would later become Dane County.

In 1865, James Fenton purchased 160 acres of land north of town from John and Margaret Bryant for $1,000. This land would eventually become known as Fentonville. In 1872, James Fenton sold his land to George Wirth who constructed a sawmill on it that year. The mill operated until 1916 when it was destroyed by fire.

In 1870, Charles Haines purchased 320 acres of land east of town from James Fenton for $6,000. Haines built an inn on this property which he operated until 1890 when he sold it to Jens Jensen who converted it into a dairy farm. Jensen sold his farm in 1895 to Aage Nielsen who continued to operate it as a dairy farm until 1922 when he sold it to Cletus Koehler who developed it into an agricultural complex that included a creamery, feed store, and garage/service station. Koehler also constructed several homes on his property which were used by local farmers and businessmen..

Koehler's complex was destroyed by fire in 1939 but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.. In 1941, Harry Luedke purchased 320 acres of farmland from Koehler and began operating an egg production facility there.. Luedke's egg production facility closed down in 1984 but the property has since been redeveloped into residential housing..

In 1886-87 Jens Jensen acquired 320 acres southeast of town from Charles Haines for $6,000.. Jensen built an inn on this property which he operated until 1890 when he sold it to Aage Nielsen who continued to operate it as a dairy farm.. Nielsen sold his farm in 1895 to Aage Nielsen who continued to operate it as a dairy farm until 1922 when he sold it t o Cletus Koehler wh o developed i t into an agricultural complex that included a creamery , feed store ,and garage/service station .Koehler also constructed several homes on his property which were used by local farmers and businessmen ..Koehler's complex was destroyed by fire i n 1939 but was rebuilt shortly thereafter .. In 1941 Harry Luedke purchased 320 acres f rom Koehler and began operating an egg production facility there ..Luedke's egg production facility closed down i n 1984 but the property has since been redeveloped into residential housing