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  • The School Sisters of Notre Dame is located in the heart of Elm Grove and has greatly impacted the area since its beginnings.
  • Mother Caroline was the founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame in the US.
  • She set out from Milwaukee in 1855 in search of a suitable site for a convent and an orphanage.
  • She took her horse and followed Watertown Plank Road to where the convent is now. 
  • Soon after the four Betholz daughters entered the convent, the rest of George’s farm land was donated to the School Sisters.
  • The building was made in the Bavarian style of architecture due to the financial support that Mother Caroline was receiving from her home country.
    • Bavaria’s king, Ludwig II, made it clear he wanted the building crafted after his country.
    • In addition, the king wanted orphans to be housed there.
  • Mother Caroline passed away in 1892, and she was buried in the cemetery at the convent.