Kohler headquarters in a planned company town
In the early 1900s, Kohler Co. CEO Walter J. Kohler Sr. set out to build a town where employees could live, shop and send their kids to school down the street from the company headquarters. Kohler Sr. hired the legendary Olmsted Brothers design team to bring the dream to life, just east of Sheboygan. Today, the village of Kohler is still home to Kohler headquarters and many of its employees, and the company has ingrained itself in local culture beyond its business. “Kohler is a planned community, so it has a lot of connectivity and walkability,” says Kohler resident Olivia Bearden, a Realtor with Village Realty and Development. “You see a lot of people walking to the parks or concerts. Kohler Co. sponsors a lot of them at the Waelderhaus and the American Club.” These days, residents don't need to work for Kohler to live in town, but all residents benefit from the company's extra touch. “Kohler cuts the lawns and has a whole landscaping department,” Bearden says. “Of course, if you own your own home, it’s your responsibility, but in the village, Kohler takes care of the streets and the landscaping.”
Shopping centers frequented by employees and historic dining clubs
The Shops at Woodlake is the community’s main shopping center, situated along a small, manmade lake. The Taverne on Woodlake has patio dining overlooking the water, plus live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Woodlake Market serves as the local grocery store. “You can walk to it, and they have nice high-end products.” The deli has plenty of seating to accommodate Kohler employees who stop in for a sandwich at lunch. The American Club — a luxury hotel on the National Register of Historic Places — has a collection of restaurants, including the Horse and Plow pub, which offers happy hour for Kohler employees as well as live music and trivia nights for village residents. The Greenhouse is the coffee shop hidden in the gardens, where tempered glass creates a sense of privacy while still letting the light in. Target is in the community’s other shopping center, Deer Trace, located in the far southeastern corner of Kohler. Walmart is about 3 miles away.
A mix of single-family homes and condos throughout Kohler
Homes throughout Kohler typically range from $240,000 to $490,000. Split-levels, Nationals and ranch-style homes line Kohler’s residential streets. Older homes like the Nationals, built around the village’s development at the start of the century, have lush front gardens and trees lining the streets, creating a canopy of shade for pedestrians. Newer communities have more open front yards and younger trees. Plenty of condos are also available, found in communities like Aspen Heights and The Treehouse, including monthly fees of $300 to $500.
Kohler's three golf courses and local community parks
Golfing is a big part of Kohler culture. Blackwolf Run Golf Course offers three courses open to the public, including a family-friendly nine-hole course. Lost Woods Park features trails snaking through the woods as well as a playground and a baseball diamond. Kohler Community Pool is open in the summertime, and the lawn at the American Club has yoga.
Kohler has its own public school district with A ratings
Even though Kohler borders larger cities like Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls, the village has its own school district. Kohler Elementary and Kohler Middle both receive A ratings from Niche. Kohler High School receives an A-minus and has an early college credit program.
Annual village traditions and its arts and music scene
As a global leader in kitchen and bath design, Kohler Co. has helped foster a creative community and vibrant culture in the village. The Waelderhaus is a traditional Austrian-style house inspired by the Kohler family's Austrian roots. In addition to tours, the space hosts small concerts and community events like an annual gingerbread festival. For almost 30 years, Kohler residents have made gingerbread houses that go on display from November through December at the Waelderhaus. Kohler Memorial Theatre is another local spot where residents can enjoy live music, comedy shows and theater performances. In the summer, Ravine Park hosts a Fourth of July celebration complete with live music, vendors and fireworks.
Walking, busing and driving around Kohler
Many residents can get around on foot, and the 20 bus goes through the community, stopping at amenities like the parks and The Shops at Woodlake. Most of the Kohler headquarters and facilities are off Twin Oaks Road. Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan County is also in Kohler, found on the other side of Interstate 43 from the majority of the village. Downtown Sheboygan is about 4 miles away, and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the nearest flight hub, about 60 miles away.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
