Shortly after the Civil War, the Cottage Grove Grange had its meeting hall near this site and became a leader in the state and national Grange movement. As a community center, it was a significant cultural and social influence for pioneer farm families. Spirited discussions there focused attention on the expanding importance of agriculture, the rampant malpractices of railroad companies, and the growing national farmers' movement. William R. Taylor, a local farm leader and Master of this Grange, was elected Wisconsin's Granger Governor in 1874 and became a contributing force in efforts to regulate railroads in the state. From these efforts, with support from Granges throughout Wisconsin, the Railroad Commission was established and later became the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, helping elevate Wisconsin to a leading national position in public utility regulation.