Bonaparte, originally named Meek's Mills,  Wisconsin Territory, was founded in 1837 on the banks of the Des Moines River. William Meek (1784-1863), the early settler and patriarch of the family, arrived in what is now Bonaparte in 1836. 

The first wing dam was constructed across the Des Moines River for use by the mills. Later, in 1846, a massive stone masonry lock and dam was built at Bonaparte as part of the Des Moines River Project, which was to enable navigation up and down the river. 

One of these mills, the Meek Pants Factory, is today the home of the Bonaparte Inn. The Meek Pants Factory was begun in 1889 with 20 machines. In 1892, Isaiah Meek, son of William, built the present building which was 54 x 110, 3 1/2 stories high, was outfitted with 40 machines and in 1896 was turning out 30,000 pairs each year. The bricks used in its construction were made at the Meek brickyard located just west of the cemetery on the west edge of town.

From the town's beginning, in 1837, the Des Moines River has been vital to Bonaparte. No longer needed to power it's mills, the river now adds to the scenic beautify and recreation of the town. One part of the river's history still remains - Lock No. 5, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Part of the locks can still be seen in historic Riverfront Park.

The river mill complex owned by William Meek and sons drew businesses and residents to the area and the woolen mill was eventually internationally known for the quality of the wool it produced. 

Meek Bros. Pants Button

In 1909, the Meek Bros. company became insolvent, and the Pants Factory and other mill buildings were sold. By the year 1920 the present building was being used for storage when the Fairfield Glove Company began operations at this location on the 10th of May, 1920 and continued in that capacity until 1999.

Now, home of the Bonaparte Inn, the former pants factory sits directly across the street from the former Meek Grist Mill (1878) which now houses the popular Bonaparte Retreat Restaurant, an outstanding dining establishment for more than 30 years.  It is also just a half-block from the former Meek Woolen Mill (1863) which supplied the Pants Factory with its raw materials during the Meek Bros.' heyday.

The Bonaparte Inn makes its home in the heart of the Bonaparte National Historic Riverfront District which was named to the  National Register of Historic Places in 1989.