Oshkosh Sesquicentennial 2003
A Wave of Progress

Oshkosh History

In the summer of 1836 the first settler arrived in the Oshkosh area -- Webster Stanley migrated here from Ohio and started a ferry boat operation. Within several months, he built his home and soon established a trading post, tavern and an inn. Within three years this area became home to more than 100 people. Brooklyn, located on the south side of the Fox River, and Athens on the north merged and officially adopted the name "Oskosh" after the Chief of the nearby Menominee Indian Tribe. Some time later an "h" was added and it became known as Oshkosh.

It was Incorporated as a village in 1846, and in 1847 Morris Firman began operating the first sawmill in Oshkosh; within several years sawmills lined the Fox River. In 1853 Oshkosh was incorporated as a city. The great Chicago fire of 1871 created a boom in Oshkosh's lumber trade, as much of the lumber used to rebuild Chicago was produced by Oshkosh sawmills. By 1873 twenty-four sawmills, fifteen shingle mills, and seven sash and door factories were in operation, and Oshkosh became known as "Sawdust City."

Today Oshkosh and the surrounding area have a population in excess of 85,000 people, and have an abundance of sites and sounds for visitors and residents to discover and enjoy. Oshkosh is located on the western shore of Lake Winnebago and is banked by the Fox River and Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County. Lake Winnebago, the largest freshwater lake within any U.S. state, was carved from the same limestone formation that creates Niagara Falls 900 miles to the east. The waterways that once provided transportation for explorers and power for sawmills are still a vital part of our community, only now they're used for recreation.

As Oshkosh continues to grow and thrive, its greatest asset has not changed... the people that make this a great place to live, work, and to visit.

For more Oshkosh history visit these sites:

• Timeline of Oshkosh History: 1634 - 2000
• Oshkosh Decades: top stories of the decades, 1850s to the present
• Oshkosh Facts, Firsts and Frequently Asked Questions
• A Portrait of Joseph and Emeline Jackson: The Jacksons participated in the founding of Oshkosh, and Joseph served as mayor and chief of police during his life (1812-1881). This is an excerpt from the book Independent of Mind, Open of Heart.
• Oshkosh Local History & Biography Articles: newspaper articles about Oshkosh from 1847-1935, scanned & digitized for reading online. Highlights include:
  • The Early History of Oshkosh Was One of Struggle and Hardship: daily life in Oshkosh during 1850-1860.
  • He Knew Oshkosh When The City Was But A Tiny Lumbering Village
  • The First Families of Oshkosh
  • Oshkosh Observes its 75th Birthday
  • How Oshkosh Came to be Named: The alternatives were Athens, Galeopolis, Osceola, Fairview, & Stanford.
  • Flood History Reveals War Between Oshkosh, Neenah and Appleton Narrowly Averted in 1881
• UW Oshkosh Archives and Area Research Center Online Exhibits
  • The 400 of the 96th: The story of the 96th college detachment, a military training program undertaken at the Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1943 and 1944.
  • Do Your Thing: Examines the 1968 student protest known as "Black Thursday" that tells the story of the African-American student protest which helped diversify and improve for people of color, UW Oshkosh & other University of Wisconsin campuses
  • The History of Oshkosh Sports
  • Oshkosh In Motion: The first moving pictures of Oshkosh, taken over 90 years ago.
  • "Think of Me": Learn about Miss Rose C. Swart, a legendary Oshkosh instructor who began teaching at the Oshkosh Normal School in 1871 (its first year of operation.)
  • UW Oshkosh Capsule History
• Local History Resources at the Oshkosh Public Library: Check out local and regional histories and biographies.
• Explore the History of Your Oshkosh House
• Visit the Oshkosh Public Museum to to discover the real things of Oshkosh's history and the stories they tell.
• Oshkosh Public Library History: From its founding in 1895, through its expansion & renovation in 1993, to present day.
• Oshkosh Postcards and Photos From The Past