Historical Markers in
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

A Century of Service: Manitowoc Public Library 1900-2000 Alf Muchin & Sons Furniture Store; Anderson Electric Company American Legion Memorial Drive American Legion Memorial Tree Ancient Buried Forest Black Earth Indian Village Brandt Printing & Binding Co. Charles W. White Law Office Christine Drost Millinery Civil War Memorial County Hospital Cemetery F.C. Buerstatte Pharmacy Fehr's Jewelry First Court House and Jail First Landing Fred Schultz Residence Fricke Brewery G.A.R - H.M. Walker Post 18 G.W. Fechter Stationery Galecki Building George Washington School German-American Bank Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Tree Grover/Smith Cabin Hamilton Community House Hamilton School I.O.O.F. Block Ice Cream Sundae J. Jarchow Blacksmith Shop J.P. Schreihart Building Kiel Veterans Park Last Run of the U.S.S. Cobia Manitowoc and the Car Ferries / S.S. Badger Manitowoc County Courthouse Manitowoc County Veterans Memorial Park Manitowoc Motor Hotel Manitowoc National Bank Manitowoc Savings Bank Manitowoc Submarines Manitowoc's Maritime Heritage Na-Ya-to-Shingh "Chief Mishicott" Potawatomi Leader O. Torrison & Co. Old Military Road Potter's Field Cemetery Ralph Clark Huston Jr. Rawley Point Lighthouse Residence Rock Mill Rummele's Jewelry S.S. Kresge Co. Salomon Brothers in the Civil War Schooner Rouse Simmons Schreihart Building Sexton House Site of Gjerpen Evangelical Lutheran Church Soldiers and Sailors Sputnik IV St. Gregory Church St. JohnÂ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Luke Catholic Church St. Luke Convent St. Luke Rectory St. Luke School St. Nazianz St. Nazianz Area Veterans Memorial Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller Steam Barge Francis Hinton Steamer Continental Steamer Vernon Tauscheck's Millinery The Wampum or Mexico Thorstein Veblen Two Rivers Post Office Two Rivers War Memorial Two Rivers' North Pier Lighthouse U.S.S. Cobia U.S.S. Golet (SS 361) U.S.S. Guavina (SS 362) U.S.S. Guitarro (SS 363) U.S.S. Hammerhead (SS 364) U.S.S. Hardhead (SS 365) U.S.S. Hawkbill (SS 366) U.S.S. Icefish (SS 367) U.S.S. Jallao (SS 368) U.S.S. Kete (SS 369) U.S.S. Kraken (SS 370) U.S.S. Lagarto (SS 371) U.S.S. Lamprey (SS 372) U.S.S. Lizardfish (SS 373) U.S.S. Loggerhead (SS 374) U.S.S. Macabi (SS 375) U.S.S. Mapiro (SS 376) U.S.S. Menhaden (SS 377) U.S.S. Mero (SS 378) U.S.S. Peto (SS 265) U.S.S. Pogy (SS 266) U.S.S. Pompon (SS 267) U.S.S. Puffer (SS 268) U.S.S. Rasher (SS 269) U.S.S. Raton (SS 270) U.S.S. Ray (SS 271) U.S.S. Redfin (SS 272) U.S.S. Robalo (SS 273) U.S.S. Rock (SS 274) Union Park Vilas - Rahr Mansion W. Stephani Block Washington House William Rathsack & Sons Co. Hardware Winnebago Trail Wisconsin's Dairy Industry Wisconsin's Maritime Industries World War I Memorial "Pulaski Square"
The famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini spent his early childhood in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin random facts
Manitowoc County, located in the eastern part of the state of Wisconsin, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, such as the Menominee and the Potawatomi, who relied on the region's abundant natural resources for their livelihoods.

European exploration of the area began in the early 17th century when French fur traders and missionaries ventured into the region. The first permanent European settlement in Manitowoc County was established in 1835 by Joseph Vilas, who set up a trading post along the Manitowoc River. The area quickly attracted more settlers, primarily of German and Irish descent, who were drawn to the fertile farmland and opportunities for trade and commerce.

In the mid-19th century, Manitowoc County experienced significant growth and development as the result of its strategic location along Lake Michigan. The opening of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in 1847 established the county as a major center for shipbuilding and maritime trade. The shipping industry flourished, with vessels being built to transport goods and passengers across the Great Lakes.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Manitowoc County continued to thrive as a manufacturing hub, with industries such as aluminum production, papermaking, and automobile manufacturing contributing to its economic prosperity. The county also played a significant role in World War II, as many of its companies retooled their operations to support the war effort.

Today, Manitowoc County remains an important industrial and agricultural center in Wisconsin. Its rich history is reflected in its museums, historical sites, and cultural events that showcase the contributions and experiences of the diverse communities that have shaped the region over the years.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.

  • 1835 - Treaty of the Cedars opens up the area of Manitowoc County for settlement
  • 1836 - The first permanent settler, Louis Marchant, arrives in the area
  • 1839 - Manitowoc County is officially organized
  • 1848 - Wisconsin becomes a state, and Manitowoc County is incorporated into it
  • 1851 - The city of Manitowoc is founded
  • 1861-1865 - Manitowoc County residents participate in the American Civil War
  • 1880s - Industrialization begins in Manitowoc County with the development of shipbuilding and manufacturing industries
  • 1892 - Capone family moves to Manitowoc County before eventually relocating to Chicago
  • 1900s - Manitowoc County thrives as a manufacturing and agricultural center
  • 1954 - The Manitowoc Company, a leading shipbuilding and manufacturing company, is founded
  • 2005 - The Netflix documentary series "Making a Murderer" brings international attention to Manitowoc County
  • Present - Manitowoc County continues to be a vibrant community with a mix of industries, agriculture, and tourism