Many of the early manufacturers and businesses in Ripon grew to national prominence.
One of the earliest was Ripon Knitting Works, founded by Jehdeiah Bowen in 1880.
Manufacturing heavy hosiery and work mitts in its factory on Watson and Seward. In
the late 1940s the Knitting Works became the nation’s largest producer of slipper
socks. The Ripon Knitting Works closed in the late 1960s.
Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing, started in 1908, was later renamed Speed Queen and
is currently known as Alliance Laundry Systems. Still located in Ripon, Alliance Laundry
Systems is a provider of commercial laundry systems which are manufactured under
various brands and shipped to over one hundred countries throughout the world.
In the 1920s Advertisers Manufacturing Company sewed promotional products like
carpenters aprons and painter hats with advertising messages printed on them.
Changing the company name to Admanco in the 1980s, it became one of the world’s
largest manufacturers and imprinters of cloth promotional items. The company closed
in 2004.
The original Wisconsin prairie became fertile farm land and the area around Ripon
produced vegetables and crops which fed our nation. Wheat production peaked by
1870, and Ripon transitioned into other agricultural industries such as dairy farming,
vegetable and fruit growing, and food processing. One of the first food related
industries in Ripon was Ripon Packing Company which evolved into Ripon Pickle Co.
Still operating, this company specializes in relishes and brined vegetables such as pickles. Ripon Foods opened in 1930 and built their reputation on delicious Rippin’ Good cookies which were shipped all over the nation; they closed in 2015. Ripon manufacturing included canning companies such as Green Giant. Vegetables are still processed in
Ripon today at Seneca Foods. R-line started in the late 1930s and was sold to
Smucker’s which today produces jellies, jams and various other products in Ripon.
Agriculture is still an important part of the Ripon community.
The first of over seven hundred Marcus Theaters was founded in Ripon by Ben Marcus.
Known as the Campus Theatre, it has been restored and looks much like it did when it
opened in 1935. Today, in 2020, all movies cost $5.00 per person.
One modern company that began in Ripon as The Silent Woman is Quacker Factory,
which can be seen on the QVC television network. Started by Jeannie Bice in the 1970s, The Silent Woman
holds its own place in Wisconsin’s history after Bice contracted out to local seamstress
to sew piece work. This started a landmark lawsuit in the state. Bice then closed Silent
Woman and moved to Florida where she established the Quacker Factory brand of
clothing much like she produced in Wisconsin.
Another recent company of national importance is Accurate Controls. The company
was established in 1982 and specializes in security systems automation for correctional facilities.
Accurate recently brought new life into the vacant Ripon Foods plant by renovating and
moving there in 2019.
Also moving into the renovated Ripon Foods plant was Applied Paper Enterprises
(APE) which since 2008 has been converting roll paper to cut sheets for retailers.
By experimenting in their basement in 2012, Ernessi Farms has repurposed
downtown Ripon buildings for vertical hydroponic farming. Ernessi Farms is an
example of how to farm using no soil and less water in an urban setting.
Ripon’s downtown area was listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places
in 1991. Known as the Watson Street Commercial District, it includes some of Jackson,
Scott, Seward, and Blackburn Streets as well as the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of
Watson Street. Many interesting boutique-type stores, a craft brewery, restaurants and
coffee shop can be found in newly renovated buildings in this historic district.
