Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin

History of Plain

The village of Plain is located on Wisconsin Highway 23 in the town of Franklin, Sauk County, Wisconsin. The area of Plain was originally called Cramer's Corners because Solomon Cramer, John Cramer, and Adam Cramer owned the land. Several rough buildings were erected and the area acquired the nickname of Logtown. A post office was established at Plain in 1859, and Plain formally became a village in 1912.

The origin of the village's name is widely rumored to have been selected as an homage to the Shrine of the Virgin Mary at Maria Plain, in Salzburg, Austria. There are, however, no known official documents nor any newspaper articles or books of that time to support this claim, and writings of the time indicate a less colorful origin:

In the book "Baraboo and Other Place Names in Sauk County, Wisconsin" (written in 1912, the same year that Plain was incorporated) it says of Plain that it was "called Plain because the inhabitants were plain people."

In a September 23, 1915 letter in the local newspaper, the Weekly Home News, a subscriber wrote of his desire to have Plain re-christened, as the town had expanded and improved so much over the past three years that it had outgrown the "plain"ness of its name.

In the letter, the author writes: "Within a few weeks very strong efforts will be made at proper headquarters to have the name of Plain changed, as that name does not agree with the rushing strides our burg is making. First of all there is no meaning to the word Plain, as it is an adjective; we must have at least a noun and why not put a "ville" or "city" to it."

Source: Wikipedia

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Following is a collection of newspaper articles, excerpts from books, magazines, brochures, and websites regarding the naming of Plain, Wisconsin. It is in 1968 that I found the first printed statement that the name of Plain may have originated from "Maria von Plain" in Austria. To date, I have found no official documents to prove this. From that 1968 story, the rumor continues. . . [Perhaps the tale began with the Maria Plain pamphlet, published possibly in 1950]. . .

 

1877
A column by 'Pedagogue' which shows that Plain was known as Plain in 1877

The Inter-County Times
Spring Green, Wisconsin
December 11, 1877,  page 1, column 3

From Plains.
Plain, Wis., Dec. 8, 1877.

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1879
Logtown news
A column by 'Old Settler' referring to Plain as Logtown

The Dollar Times
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
January 14, 1879, page 3, column 3-4.

Among the first events of the new year was 'Rice & Barton's Novelty Combination' which visited this place January 5th. We are told they had a crowded house even though it was Sunday evening.

The little crowd that gathered for a dance at the 'cheese-house corners' had a pleasant time until about ten o'clock, when a certain young lady saw fit to array herself in her husband's wardrobe and step in, which cause a little excitement for a few moments and the dance was all over. It was either a 'put-up job' or a funny joke.

The streets of our town were crowded with teams yesterday, in consequences of a controversy about a wagon. A trial was had before Mr. Hutter, justice, who will render his decision to-day. Spring Green and Bear Creek were well represented.

'Some of these days' Alois Hutter will have a new store. He has most of the stone hauled for the cellar wall.

Jacob Ott, the wanderer, has returned. He will be with us a few weeks; he talks of settling down to business next spring in southern Kansas, and says he has been sewing wild oats long enough. We wish him good luck.

1879
Plain was known as Plain in 1879
(The same year it was known as Logtown)

The Dollar Times
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
February 4, 1879, page 3, column 4

Advertisement:
Alois Hutter
Offers his services to the public as an
AUCTIONEER.
Having had experience in the business and the advantage of a knowledge of both English and German, he expects to give entire satisfaction to his patrons.
Address, Plain, Wisconsin.

The Dollar Times
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
May 27, 1879, page 3, column 2

Home Matters.
Lizzie Buss, of Plain, was the guest of Miss Elisa Zilg last week.

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Logtown Song 

An informational sign at the open house of the Franklin Historical Society at the Franklin Town Hall in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin, on July 25, 2004 showed a version of the Logtown Song as remembered by a former resident of the Plain area.

Log Town Song
Dear Log Town, dear Log Town
For thee do I crave, for the wonderful
Buildings and people so brave.
Often times while I sit in my large
Armchair, thoughts come to my mind
Of a city so fair.
You may talk of Chicago and New York
By the sea, but of all the great cities,
It's Log Town for me.

The Logtown Song was played many times at dances in Plain in the 1920s to 1930s. 

Logtown - a colloquial name for Plain 

Logtown was a colloquial name for the village of Plain used in the early days when most of the buildings were made of log. In early settlement days, it was known as Cramer's Corners, after John, one of the four Cramer brothers, who came from Richland County, Ohio in the early 1850's. He was the first postmaster. Early plat maps show that two of the brothers, John and Solomon, owned much of the land on what is now the north and south side of Main Street. A sawmill, run by steam, was established on Solomon's land in 1902, and may also have contributed to the name of Logtown. This sawmill was eventually bought by Joseph T. Ruhland in 1910 and continued until the late 1930's.

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 1880
History of Plain

History of Sauk County
(Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1880)
Page 673-674

Headquarters for the article is Plain Post Office, commonly called Logtown, where a thirsty individual can get ninety-two per cent of bitter water fuddled with eight per cent of alcohol, known as beer, on demand at almost any time. . . The schoolhouse of District No. 1 was built in 1851. The first teacher was T.J. Morgans. . . . There is also a post office at Plain, called Logtown, that has been established several (about ten) years. P. Stutz is now Postmaster here. . . The first store was opened at Logtown, formerly called Cramer's Corners, by Mr. Perry, in 1869. . . Organization and Town Officers. Franklin was a precinct of Honey Creek until April 3, 1855 . . .

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1882
Plain is referred to as Logtown

Spring Green News
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
December 7, 1882, page 3, column 3

Spring Green News.
P. W. Meehan, Editor and Publisher.
Spring Green, Thursday, Dec. 7, '82
Localisms.
We are informed by subscribers from White Mound, Logtown and other places, that our paper would be patronized very liberally by residents of those places if it were so they could get their paper the same week it is printed. . .

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1883
Plain was known as Plain in 1883

Spring Green News
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
April 19, 1883, page 2, column 3

Plain.
The late warm weather has transformed the fields of winter grain into fields of green verdure and gladdens the hearts of the farmers. . .

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1884
Plain was called Logtown

Weekly Home News, Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
February 21, 1884, page 2

Plain.
Why is it that our town is called Logtown, by so many when we have 10 fine frame buildings and but 1 log house. We move that our town hereafter be called Frame Town.

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1895
History of the Catholic church in Plain

At a meeting of the Catholic settlers held on May 23, 1861, it was decided to erect a small stone church, Mr. Voelker at that time also donating two acres of ground to the parish.... After this the congregation was visited by Father T. Beau of Keyesville, and later by Father Heller of the same place. St. Luke was next visited from Honey Creek, the resident priests from that place attending, until 1875, when Father Spitzlberger built a substantial stone parsonage at Plain. ...

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1906
Early History of Franklin Township

Weekly Home News
October 31, 1907, page 8, column 2-3

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1912
Plain is incorporated

Weekly Home News
January 25, 1912, page 8, column 3
Plain
Measures have been complied with for the incorporation of the village of Plain.

April 1, 1912. In the matter of the application for an order of Incorporation in the Village of Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin. . .

 

Source: Title: Vol. 13, pp. 240-241. Wisconsin. Circuit Court (Sauk County): Order Books, Inclusive Dates: 1859-1937. Creator: Wisconsin. Circuit Court (Sauk County). Call Number: Sauk Series 80 (26 Volumes). Repository: Wisconsin Historical Society Archives. URL: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-sauk0080

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Weekly Home News
April 2, 1912, page 1, column 6
Plain
Plain held a special election last Tuesday [April 30] for the purpose of deciding whether or not the village should incorporate. It was carried two to one. The move will work to the betterment of our village in many respects no doubt.

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1912
History of Plain

Baraboo and Other Place Names in Sauk County, Wisconsin
by H.E. Cole, Baraboo, Wis.
December 1912, page 38

Plain - Village in the town of Franklin, once called Cramers Corners because Solomon Cramer, John Cramer and Adam Cramer owned the land. A number of rough buildings were put up at the corners and the place became known as Log Town. J. H. Carpenter of Spring Green says the place was called Plain because the inhabitants were plain people.

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1915
Rechristening of Plain

Weekly Home News
Spring Green, Wisconsin
September 23, 1915 

Wants Plain Re-Christened
Wonderful Improvement in Six Years - Village of Beautiful Homes
Whoever six or more years ago rambled through Plain or "Logtown" never would have imagined that within six years hence there would be such a wonderful change as to create jealousy between the neighboring towns and burgs. Hardly a house was painted, there were no sidewalks, no streets to speak of, mudholes in front and back of every house; in all there were about eighteen houses in the now incorporated municipality.

What a wonderful change within the last six years in Plain. Moderate beautiful ones have sprung up like mushrooms over night, to the number of at least forty, and there are continually more building this year; 1915, has seen up to now fourteen going up. We have also a beautiful bank, three fine general stores, two blacksmith shops, two restaurants and a hotel. Three years ago the village of Plain was incorporated and since then the roads were macadamized, at least six miles of cement sidewalks laid, new streets laid out, three miles of waterworks installed and a pumping station added. We have now in Plain the so-called High Street with "Zion Hill," near which is the large and beautiful St. Luke’s church. From Zion Hill we gaze upon “Prospect Hill” which has now been laid out in lots and soon will be occupied by mansions built by Messrs. Phil and Jos. Volk, Jos. and Aloys Brickle and others. On top of Prospect Hill stands like a castle of the middle ages the artistic bungalow of Dr. P. H. Fowler, from which a clear view can be had of the surrounding valleys and hills to a distance of about twenty miles. On Prospect Hill will also soon be erected the majestic water tower which is to supply Plain with water from an artesian well.

A few weeks ago Mr. Aloys Bauer bought a strip of land which he will lay out in lots on the western division of the city and has given it the congenial name of “Council Bluff”. We have now fashionable streets lined with charming residences and running east and west: Cramer street, Beck street, Liegl street and Broadway. On the west side of Broadway Plain has bought a large strip of land whereon is to be built within a few years a graded high school.

Within a few weeks very strong efforts will be made at proper headquarters to have the name of Plain changed, as that name does not agree with the rushing strides our burg is making. First of all there is no meaning to the word Plain, as it is an adjective; we must have at least a noun and why not put a “ville’ or “city” to it. I for my part would suggest a name not yet found in Wisconsin, and in order to avoid unnecessary criticisms and hallucinations, I reserve three in petto*, promising at the same time that they all will be delighted at its beautiful sound and easy spelling.
(signed) ONLOOKER

*In petto: An Italian translation of the Latin in pectore, "in the breast", i.e. in the secret of the heart. It happens, at times, that the pope, after creating some cardinals in consistory, adds that he has appointed one or more additional cardinals, whom he reserves in petto, and whom he will make known later.

Source: New Advent by Kevin Knight
Source: Santi-Leitner, Praellections juris canonici, I, tit xxxi, n. 23.

1918
History of Plain

A Standard History of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I
by Harry Ellsworth Cole, President of the Sauk County Historical Society, General Supervising Editor
The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1918
Page 566

Plain and White Mound are old points in Franklin Township. Although they lie off the line of any railway they are in the midst of such a prosperous cheese country that they show marked evidences of thrift. Plain, especially, is a well built village and is, moreover, incorporated. It thus formally became a village in 1912. . . .
Plain was formerly called Cramer's Corner. John Cramer distributed the mail throughout the Town of Franklin, from the time it was organized in 1855 until 1859, when postoffices were established at White Mound and Logtown (also Plain). The first store was opened at Logtown in 1869. .

 

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1929
Our Lady of Ast - St. Anne's Shrine

The "Our Lady of Ast" painting hangs in St. Anne's Shrine at the top of the hill behind St. Luke's Catholic Church in Plain, Wisconsin. This painting should not be confused with the painting of the Virgin Mary with Jesus which hangs in Basilica Maria Plain in Austria. Each painting has its own miracle associated with it.   

In September 1929, George and Barbara (Pfeiffer) Hetzel took a boat trip to Germany to visit the homeland where they were born. They were in Germany for 3 months. When they returned to their home in Plain, Wisconsin, they brought back a Mother of Pertual Help picture to hang in St. Anne's Chapel at Plain. This picture was from Maria Himmelfahrt Catholic Church in Ast, Bavaria. An inscription on the picture says, "Mutter Gottes von Ast uns niemals verlasst" (Mother God of Ast we never leave). St. Anne's Shrine in Plain was dedicated on July 26, 1928.

Here is a picture of the famous painting from Ast:

Plain has a beautiful setting. The name is very misleading for it is anything but plane or plain. . .From  January 1849 to November 1854 this community was known as the Town of Franklin or Honey Creek. . . Rev. Maximilian Gaertner, realizing the zeal and good will of the people of Plain, asked for and received permission from the Bishop to establish a parish in Plain, and became thereby the first priest to come to Plain on September 21, 1857 to establish a small mission congregation of some twelve families. . . Father Gaertner very shortly after his visit to Plain, returned to his monastery in Tyrol. . .

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1968
Naming of Plain

The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names
by Robert E. Gard & L. G. Sorden.
Assisted by Marg. Kelk, Helen Smith, Maryo Gard.
A Wisconsin House Book.
Published by October House Inc., New York.
Copyright 1968 by Wisconsin House, Inc.

The section of the book that describes Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin, says the town was first called Cramers Corners, named after John and Adam Cramer. Because there were only a few log houses in 1852 when logging began, Plain was generally referred to as Logtown. When a stage route was established between Spring Green and Reedsburg, the town applied for a post office. "The residents did not think Logtown was appropriate. A Catholic priest who stopped there suggested Plain because the land reminded him of Maria Von Plain in Austria. It has also been said that Plain was chosen because the residents were 'just plain people.'"

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1971
Naming of Plain

Jaunts with Jamie
March 23, 1971
Short History of Black Earth
Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin

In Sauk County, about 40 miles of Madison, is a village with another intriguing name - Plain. Again turning to Robert E. Gard's and L. G. Sorden's "Romance of Wisconsin Place Names," we find Cramers Corners was the first name of this settlement because the Cramers owned the land. 

[The next paragraph is a quote from the "Romance of Wisconsin Place Names" book by by Robert E. Gard & L. G. Sorden in 1968.]

"In 1852, when the logging began, there were only a few log houses, so it was generally referred to as Logtown. Then a stage route was established between Spring Green and Reedsburg, and a post office was applied for. The residents did not think Logtown was appropriate. A Catholic priest who stopped there suggested Plain because the land reminded him of Maria Von Plain in Austria. It has also been said that Plain was chosen because the residents were 'just plain people.'"

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1971
Naming of Plain

Jaunts with Jamie
March 24, 1971
Plain People Were Builders
Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin

PLAIN, WIS., is said to have been named for the “just plain people” who lived in the tiny settlement when the name was adopted. . . .

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1971
History of Plain

Weekly Home News
Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin
July 15, 1971

"PLAIN -- When this hamlet was first settled, its inhabitants called it Logtown. On July 30, 1860, the post office was established as Plain, in Section 5 of Franklin Township. Originally the mails arrived via Spring Green, but later arrived by stage also from Reedsburg via White Mound. . . . "

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1976
Historical pageant in Plain

An Episode in the History of Plain
by Almira (Luther) Ruhland [1912-1979]
Taken from "Bicentennial Memoirs-Plain-1976"
Page 2-3

"In observance of Bicentennial summer, the River Valley Theater Association organized area committees to present an episode of the history of their area for an historical pageant which was to be presented in the late summer of 1976. . . A series of meetings followed and it was decided to write a brief account of the history of Plain. This involved our own town historian Hildegarde Thering, and journalist Almira Ruhland. Hildegarde supplied much of the resource information and Almira compiled the wonderful manuscript. . ."

". . .a Post Office had been established in 1861 with the name of Plain. The story persists that despite the early name of Cramertown our pioneer ancestors requested the name "Our Lady of the Plain" or Maria Plain (from a cathedral near Salzburg, Austria) but the Postal Department in Washington stipulated the name Plain for this tiny principality sheltered beneath historic Council Bluff (now St. Annes Shrine) where Indians met in council to plain their strategies."

Page 5

1980s
Brochure of Plain

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1982
History of Plain and the first settlers

A History of Plain, Wisconsin
by Hildegarde Thering, 1982

Emigrants came from (1823) Schonau, Baden, (1843) Zwei-Brückern, Saar, (1848) Bishofsheim on Tauber, Baden, (1848) Cramers from Ohio, (1852) Siegen, Westphalia, Prussia, (1852) Canton Bern, Switzerland (from Canton, Ohio), (1854) Waldmünchen, (1854) Hocha, Bavaria & Untergrafenried, Waldmünchen, Bavaria & Hochabrun, Bavaria, (1855) Darnstadt Hesse near Frankfort on the Main, (1856) Edesheim, Landau, 1864 (Rheinpfalz & Yaegersbury, Bavaria, (1862) Gleissenberg, Bavaria, 1860 Wurtemberg, etc., (1863) Treffelstein, Bavaria, Eixendorf, Irlach, Limbach Bavaria, (1869) Schleitweiler Kries, Trier, (1866) Tiefenbach, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, (1863 & 1866) Ast, Munich, Straubing. Emigration slowed down in the 1860’s. (1870) Tiefenbach, (1872) Untergrafenried, (1870) Treffelstein Bavaria, Undergrafenried, Tauderstorf, … Egelsee at Steinlohe Bavaria, Neuhütte, Waldmünchen, Staunerhof by Stamsried Bavaria, (1872) Quebec, Canada…. Wurtsburg, Ebersberg Bavaria, Prosdorf, Untergrafenried, Schondra, Schaferei Bavaria, Dorschein, Germany, Herzagau, Bernried, Germany, (1880) Rhan, Bavaria, (1875) Ziegelhutte Bavaria, (1884) Waldmünchen Bavaria, (1887) Schömersdorf near Oberviechtach & Braunzeiet (Braunsried), (1885) Erloch ((Irlach), Spielberg, Waldnut Baden, Dofing, Weiding Oberpfalz, Ast, Obererthal Hammelburg Unterfranken, (1891) Breitenried Bavaria (Jos. Bemmerl and his wife from Baadorf, Austria), Neuberg, (1885 – Laubmeier) Obergrafenried Austria, (1883 – Ruhland) Haselbach, Austria, (1883) Zellendorf & Bernried, (1886 – Deitl) Obergrafenried, Austria, (1883) Haag, (1872 – Weidner) Grafenried, Austria, (1873) Laewendorf Bavaria, (1909) Waldmünchen, (1927) Gleissenberg, (1872) Waldmünchen, (1868) Wurgendorf, Prussia, (1849) Aberdeen, Scottland after living in Toronto, (1909) Engeldorf Bavaria, (1911) Benried Bavaria, (1922) Schömersdorf, (1923) Treffelstein, (1929) Spielburg Germany, (1870) Ast Bavaria. 

2008 note about the towns in "Austria":
These towns were in what was once known as the Kingdom of Austria prior to the first world war. In present times, the Austrian towns listed above are located in the Czech Republic.

The town Grafenried is now called Lucina and is in the Czech Republic (formerly called Bohemia), located across the German border (near Waldmünchen). The town Grafenried was destroyed after the war and has no houses now. The nearby town called Untergrafenried is in Germany near Waldmünchen. Before 1770, Grafenried was one town; later Grafenried divided into two towns: Untergrafenried and Obergrafenried. The east part of Grafenried, called Obergrafenried, went to Bohemia. The church records for Grafenried, Obergrafenried and Untergrafenried are in Ast (near  Waldmünchen) in Kreis Cham, Germany. After 1770, Obergrafenried had it's own parish in Czech Republic; these church records are now in the archive in Klentsch/Klenci in Czech Republic.

Baadorf/Paadorf (now called Hranicna in Czech Republic) is near the German border. Just across the border to the west is Breitenried, Bavaria.

Page 160: On June 14, 1906, Rev. John G. Laurer took a trip to Europe to visit his home which he had not seen in 25 years. During his absence, Rev. Franz Sales Lang, professor at Vilshofen, Bayern, took over the parish until Aug. 26 (returning to Vilshofen). Laurer returned Oct. 10. He visited Waldmünchen and its surroundings.

Page 153: End of 1858, Father Maximilian Gaertner didn’t go to Plain anymore, he returned to his monastery at Tyrol.

Page 139: Even the name of Plain was associated with the name Maria Plain, a shrine near Salzburg.

 

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 1988
Maria Plain Courtyard at St. Luke's

For more information and photos of Maria Plain Meditation Garden click here.

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1990
History of Plain

Many A Fine Harvest
by Michael Goc,1990
Published for the Sesquicentennial of Sauk County
Page 165

In summary, the book says that the Village of Plain was incorporated in 1912, and that the origin of the name "Plain" is in honor of the Shrine of the Virgin at Maria Plain in southern Germany. It goes on to say that Plain was first known as Cramer's Corners, and in 1859, the post office was called Logtown.

Note: Maria Plain is in Austria, not Germany 

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1992
Book discusses the naming of Plain

A Kraemer Chronicle by Claire Geesaman (Copyright 1992 Edgewood College, 855 Woodrow St, Madison, Wisconsin).
Copyright registration Number/Date: TXu00052112/ 1992-05-21.
Copyright Claimant: Edgewood College, Madison, Wis. (employer for hire of Claire Geesaman).

Page 88 says a pamphlet "published by Edward Kraemer"
can be found in the Plain Public Library. The pamphlet is a translation from the German history of Maria Plain, "an Austrian shrine after which Plain, Wisconsin is named." The Plain library also has a copy of the picture of Mary which was miraculously saved when Regen, Germany, was burned to the ground in the 17th century.

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Pamphlet published by Edward Kraemer -
Possibly published after his 1950 trip to Germany

Maria Plain
In Austria
The Shine after which the
village of Plain, Wisconsin is named
Verlag (publisher) Rupertuswerk, Erzabtei  (monastery) St. Peter-Salzburg 

Page 2 says: Published by Edward Kraemer, Plain, Wisconsin
Date: undated

The pamphlet consists of 22 pages written in English. Other than the statement on the cover ("The Shrine after which the village of Plain, Wisconsin is named"), there is no further discussion or facts referring to the naming of Plain, Wisconsin. The pamphlet describes in great detail the history of Maria Plain and the miraculous picture, with detailed descriptions of the interior of the church. In 1913, about 12,000 people made a pilgrimage to Maria Plain, with dignitaries from Munich and Passau, Germany.

 

 

Here is a very similar cover as the pamphlet published by Edward Kraemer. This pamphlet is written in German. As seen for sale on eBay, selling for 1 Euro on May 11, 2008:

The description of the book says it was printed in 1948 by Verlag (publisher) Rupertuswerk of Salzburg, it has 32 pages, and is a brown/white church guide in German language.

The two pamphlet covers are almost identical, except for the words "Maria Plain" which appear at the bottom of the Kraemer pamphlet, and is followed by "In Austria, The Shine after which the village of Plain, Wisconsin is named."

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1997

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1997
Plain tourist information

1997 Spring Green Area Traveler magazine
Page 16: Welcome to Plain

The tourist information for Plain says the town has remained small and that nearly all of the residents have German ancestors, coming mostly from Waldmünchen, Bavaria. The one-page story does not mention Maria Plain in Austria.

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1998
Visit to Maria Plain at Bergheim, Austria

In April 1998, I visited the Basilica Maria Plain in Austria.

There is a famous miraculous painting on the altar of the Maria Plain church which shows the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. This painting was first hung in a bakery in Regen, Bavaria, in 1633. The bakery burned but the painting survived. The painting was moved to the castle in Regen. In 1652, Rudolph von Grimming (governor of Regen) found the picture inside the castle and took it to Plainberg (later named Maria Plain) near Salzburg, Austria. Before the basilica was built in 1671, a wooden chapel once stood there. Here is a photo of the famous painting at Maria Plain in the town Bergheim bei Salzburg in Austria:

 Mary with the baby Jesus

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2002
Tours of Maria Plain in Austria

Peter's Way Tours of Jericho, New York
website: http://www.petersway.com/pt_germany.html 

On day 6, the tour begins with a morning Mass at the Shrine of Maria Plain, then continues with afternoon guided tours of Salzburg.

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 ca 2004-2006
Library in Plain display case

While visiting the library at Plain, Wisconsin, I saw a display about Maria Plain in the display case. If I recall correctly, the display was from items owned by Ed Kramer who visited Maria Plain in Austria. The display included a religious photo.

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ca 2004
History of Plain

Sauk County, Wisconsin, website:
http://www.co.sauk.wi.us/dept/arts/_gallery/plain.htm

Plain
Incorporated in 1912, named after the shrine of the Virgin at Maria Plain in Germany. This German community was originally called Cramer's Corners, and in 1859 it was known as Log Town for the water-powered sawmill located here. 

Note: Maria Plain is in Austria.

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2004
History of Plain

May 2004 Old Sauk Trails newsletter, page 5
"Images from the Past: Plain"
by William C. Schuette, Loganville, Wis.

"Founded with the name of Cramer’s Corners after the first families who arrived in 1848, and later known as Log Town, the village of Plain took its current
name from the Shrine of the Virgin of Maria Plain in southern Germany when it incorporated in 1912."

Note: I contacted the Sauk County Historical Society via email on June 3, 2004 and wrote:

"I read a copy of your May 2004 Old Sauk Trails newsletter (online). There was a story on page 5 called "Images from the Past: Plain" by William Schuette of Loganville. I was wondering if you know how I might contact the author to ask about the naming of the village of Plain. Or if someone at the Sauk County Historical Society would know, I would appreciate some information. The village of "Maria" Plain (and the Maria Plain pilgrim church) is located outside Salzburg, Austria (not in Germany). Is there another "Maria Plain" in Germany to which the story refers? 

The story by Wm Schuette says that Plain took it's name "Plain" in 1912 when it was incorporated. I wonder if the 1912 records are available for public perusal and if so, where might I find them? Also, the emigrants to Plain, Wisconsin, were mostly from the Waldmünchen, Bavaria, area of Germany, with a few families coming from different states in Germany (and Switzerland). According to the book "A History of Plain" by Hildegard Thering, there are no emigrants listed as coming from the Maria Plain/Salzburg area of Austria. If you can help with any of my questions, please let me know."

The reply I received said,

"As to the story. I am forwarding your message on to the author Bill Schuette . . [he] may send you more information."

Unfortunately, I received no reply.