[2] In 1842, a family of Old Lutheran German immigrants named Groth settled in the Cedarburg area and constructed a cabin on the eastern bank of Cedar Creek.

[3] In 1844, Frederick Hilgen and William Schroeder built the Cedarburg Mill on the western bank of Cedar Creek, directly west of the present-day historic district.

[5][6] While the Columbia Mill was a major employer in the community's early history, and could produce eighty barrels of flour per day in the 19th century[5] the business was frequently sold from one entrepreneur to another.

Many houses are of vernacular construction, making use of locally quarried Lannon stone, Cream City brick, and Wisconsin timber.

Designed by local engineer Charles S. Whitney, the single-span arch bridge was constructed of in 1939 by the Public Works Administration, a New Deal program.

The bridge's concrete structure is clad with a medieval revival stone facade, and pillars on the four abutment corners, are each crowned by a metal lantern.