Historical Markers in
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

1950 Start/Finish 1951–52 Start/Finish Briggs' Bend Bustling Shipyards Cole Historic District Dickens' Ditch Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District Dutch Settlement Early Dutch Settlers Elkhart Lake Road Race Circuits Fiery Passage Hamill's Hollow Heroic Seamen Historic Oostburg In Honor of our Pioneers Kimberly's Korner North Point /Sheboygan Point Nowack House October 11th Memorial Old Wade House State Park Peck's Alley Plymouth Wisconsin Revolutionary War Veteran Schoolhouse Straight Schooner Gallinipper Seils–Sterling Circus Sheboygan Indian Mound Park Site of the Bank of Elkhart Lake Site of Winooski Ted's Turn The Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park & Wildlife Area The Hard Left The Hard Right The Home Fleet The Lake Street Walkway The Marsh Turn The Mill House Restoration Project The Phoenix Tragedy Theodore Rietz Distillery Town of Rhine Civil War Monument Town of Rhine Memorial Park Monument Veterans Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1230 Wacker's Wend
History Just Ahead: Guide To Wisconsin's Historical Markers
The deadliest tornado in Wisconsin's history occurred on May 18, 1883, when a tornado swept through the town of Rochester, killing 117 people and injuring more than 200 others.
Wisconsin random facts

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally home to several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ojibwe, who relied on the area's abundant natural resources for their livelihoods.

European settlement in the area began in the early 19th century when fur traders and explorers arrived, including the famous French explorer Jean Nicolet. The first permanent settlers arrived in the 1830s, with the community of Sheboygan Falls being established in 1836. The early settlers primarily engaged in logging and farming, taking advantage of the fertile land and dense forests in the area.

The 19th century brought significant growth and development to Sheboygan County. The construction of railroads in the 1850s and 1860s greatly improved transportation and facilitated the movement of goods and people. The establishment of industries such as ironworks, flour mills, and pottery works further spurred economic growth. Sheboygan, the county seat, became a thriving industrial hub known for manufacturing furniture, shoes, and clothing.

In the 20th century, Sheboygan County continued to thrive as a manufacturing center. The establishment of the Sheboygan Chair Company in the early 1900s cemented the region's reputation as the "Furniture Capital of the World." The mid-century saw a shift in the county's economic focus towards the automotive and electronics industries. Today, Sheboygan County remains a vibrant and diverse community with a strong economy, while still preserving its rich history and natural beauty.

  • 1836: Sheboygan County is established as a separate county in Wisconsin Territory.
  • 1846: The city of Sheboygan is incorporated as a village.
  • 1853: Sheboygan becomes a city.
  • 1872: The Sheboygan County Historical Society is founded.
  • 1890: Sheboygan Harbor is expanded to accommodate larger ships.
  • 1907: The Sheboygan County Fair is first held.
  • 1929: The Great Depression begins, causing significant economic hardship in the county.
  • 1954: The Whistling Straits Golf Course is established.
  • 1964: The Kohler Company begins production of its popular bathroom fixtures in the county.
  • 1995: The John Michael Kohler Arts Center opens in Sheboygan.
  • 2000: The population of Sheboygan County reaches over 115,000.