Wisconsin 101

Paul Bunyan and the Hodag

The Hodag and Paul Bunyan folklore are two of the most iconic stories of the American frontier. The Hodag is a mythical creature from the Northwoods that is described as a dragon-like creature with horns, sharp claws, and a spiked tail. Paul…

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May 23, 2023

Rhinelander / Hodag Decanter / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Lumber Industry / Related Stories / 1877-1900 / 1900-1918 / 1918-1945 / Nature & Environment / Region 2 - North East / Oneida County

The Myth of the Hodag in Rhinelander

Rumored to stalk the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the monstrous Hodag is a legendary creature that has captivated the imaginations of locals and visitors alike. With its fearsome appearance and mysterious origins, the Hodag has become a symbol of folklore and intrigue in…

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May 23, 2023

Maritime Industry / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Politics & Government / Transportation & Tourism / Wind Point Lighthouse

Orlando Metcalfe Poe and Wisconsin’s Waterways

Orlando Metcalfe Poe (1832-1895) was an engineer who shaped the landscape of Wisconsin’s harbors and waterways, playing a crucial role in the development of Wisconsin’s commerce. Through his lighthouse designs and his design of major systems of ship locks and canals on…

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May 10, 2023

Racine / Object Histories / Industry / Maritime Industry / Racine County / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Wind Point Lighthouse

OBJECT HISTORY: Wind Point Lighthouse

Wind Point Lighthouse is located in the Village of Wind Point, which sits just north of the Racine harbor on Lake Michigan. The lighthouse was constructed in 1880 and stands 108 feet high. In 1870 the U.S. Lighthouse Board, a federal agency…

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May 10, 2023

Dairy Industry / New Glarus / Food & Cooking / Industry / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Green County / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / 1900-1918 / Region 7 - South Center / Swiss Cheese Kettle

Early Cheese Factories in New Glarus

Green County has long been known for its cheese factories, particularly ones making Swiss cheese. However, when the first Swiss immigrants arrived it wasn’t at all clear that they would go into cheesemaking at all. New Glarus’s rise to prominence as a…

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April 17, 2023

Swiss Immigration to New Glarus

For nearly a century, southeastern Wisconsin and especially Green County was a hotbed of Swiss immigration. Even though the immigration slowed dramatically in the early 1900s, the area still preserves a distinctive Swiss character. Visitors can attend the annual Cheese Days festivities…

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April 17, 2023