Wisconsin may not have the old buildings that parts of Europe has, but how old some of these towns are really may surprise you. Here are the 10 oldest towns in Wisconsin and a little bit about their significance.
- Green Bay
Phil Roeder/Flickr Green Bay claims to be one of the oldest European settlements in the U.S. It was discovered by the French in the early 1600s, and Nicolet founded a trading post. It was originally called “La Baie des Puants” or “the stinking bay.”
- Aztalan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr Aztalan is an ancient Mississippian culture that resided here in the early 1000s. You can visit Aztalan and get a preview of how they lived. One of the most notable features are the mounds they made in the earth, which served religious and political purposes.
- Prairie du Chien
Tony Webster/Flickr Prairie du Chien claims to be Wisconsin’s second-oldest city. It was settled by French explorers in the late 17th century. French explorer Nicolas Perrot established a very lucrative fur trading post here. It gets its name from the Tribe who once occupied the area: their name translated to “dog” and the French for dog is “chien.”
- Shullsburg
Hawks9876/Wikimedia This area was populated by Irish miners in the early 1800s. The town is named for Jesse Shull, a miner. Legend is that Shull observed a badger digging in a hill and discovered minerals. It is more likely that Native Americans let him in on the secret, but the story is fun.
- Hubertus
Jim Bauer/Flickr This town was first settled in the 1830s. Its fertile, well-watered land soon brought more citizens to farm. It became the site of Holy Hill in 1863.
- Pepin
David Becker/Flickr Pepin was discovered in the mid-17th century by French explorers. Laura Ingalls Wilder, of “Little House on the Prairie” fame, was born in the area. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is located in Pepin.
- Milton
Royal Broil/Flickr Milton was originally settled in 1838 by Joseph Goodrich. He built an inn called the Milton House, and named it after poet John Milton. The Milton House actually served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, as Goodrich was a noted abolitionist.
- Mineral Point
Jeremy Atherton/Flickr Originally settled in 1827, Mineral Point was on the map for, you guessed it, minerals. It was huge for lead and zinc mining. It is the third oldest town in Wisconsin. You’ll love visiting here because the town has retained its historical character.
- Cassville
Roger W/Flickr This town was first settled in 1827. It gets its name from Lewis Cass, who was then the governor of the Michigan Territory. But Cassville is much older than that. It is home to an ancient Native American burial mound that is from around 1000 AD.
- De Pere
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr De Pere’s history actually dates back to 1671. This is when Jesuit Father Clause Allouez visited. The name derives from the French: “les rapides des peres” or “rapids of the fathers.”
Are you from any of these towns? Have you visited any of them?
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Green Bay claims to be one of the oldest European settlements in the U.S. It was discovered by the French in the early 1600s, and Nicolet founded a trading post. It was originally called “La Baie des Puants” or “the stinking bay.”
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr
Aztalan is an ancient Mississippian culture that resided here in the early 1000s. You can visit Aztalan and get a preview of how they lived. One of the most notable features are the mounds they made in the earth, which served religious and political purposes.
Tony Webster/Flickr
Prairie du Chien claims to be Wisconsin’s second-oldest city. It was settled by French explorers in the late 17th century. French explorer Nicolas Perrot established a very lucrative fur trading post here. It gets its name from the Tribe who once occupied the area: their name translated to “dog” and the French for dog is “chien.”
Hawks9876/Wikimedia
This area was populated by Irish miners in the early 1800s. The town is named for Jesse Shull, a miner. Legend is that Shull observed a badger digging in a hill and discovered minerals. It is more likely that Native Americans let him in on the secret, but the story is fun.
Jim Bauer/Flickr
This town was first settled in the 1830s. Its fertile, well-watered land soon brought more citizens to farm. It became the site of Holy Hill in 1863.
David Becker/Flickr
Pepin was discovered in the mid-17th century by French explorers. Laura Ingalls Wilder, of “Little House on the Prairie” fame, was born in the area. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is located in Pepin.
Royal Broil/Flickr
Milton was originally settled in 1838 by Joseph Goodrich. He built an inn called the Milton House, and named it after poet John Milton. The Milton House actually served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, as Goodrich was a noted abolitionist.
Jeremy Atherton/Flickr
Originally settled in 1827, Mineral Point was on the map for, you guessed it, minerals. It was huge for lead and zinc mining. It is the third oldest town in Wisconsin. You’ll love visiting here because the town has retained its historical character.
Roger W/Flickr
This town was first settled in 1827. It gets its name from Lewis Cass, who was then the governor of the Michigan Territory. But Cassville is much older than that. It is home to an ancient Native American burial mound that is from around 1000 AD.
De Pere’s history actually dates back to 1671. This is when Jesuit Father Clause Allouez visited. The name derives from the French: “les rapides des peres” or “rapids of the fathers.”
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