Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Why is it called Big Bull Falls?
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
1. Why is it called Big Bull Falls Marker
If you were a French voyageur in the 1600s or arrived with George Stevens in 1838, you would have heard and seen large rapids churning and bubbling here in front of you. Without dams, the river was much shallower than it is now. It swirled and crashed over large rocks.
Voyageurs may have called it "Grand Bulle Chute," which in English is "Big Bubbling Falls." Possibly, "bulle" stuck in the English translation, thus "Big Bull Falls."
[photo captions]
← Earliest know photograph of Big Bull Falls, circa 1856.
Courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, Wisconsin.
How did Big Bull Falls become Wausau?
Native people living here were probably the very first to call this place "Wausau." In several native languages, "wau-sau" means "far away place" or "place from which one can see far away." Also, a similar Cree word means "thundering sound."
Walter McIndoe, one of the most influential settlers here, is believed to have made the name "Wausau" official in 1850.
Courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, Wisconsin.
Big Bull Falls was tribal territory until the 1830s.
Courtesy of Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, Wisconsin.
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Erected by River Edge Parkway, Welcome Home Wausau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 44° 57.673′ N, 89° 38.037′ W. Marker is in Wausau, Wisconsin, in Marathon County. Marker can be reached from Scott Street (State Highway 52) near Washington Street. Marker is in Big Bull Falls Historic Park. A small parking area inside the park can be reached from eastbound Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 West Scott Street, Wausau WI 54403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Big Bull Falls • Birthplace of Wausau (a few steps from this marker); Big Bull Falls (a few steps from this marker); Business Boomed at Big Bull Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Wausau Water Works (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Federal Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Pioneer Rehabilitation Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Heinemann Bros. Bee Hive Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wausau Club (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wausau.
Also see . . . History - The Wausau Story. Wasau website entry
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
2. Why is it called Big Bull Falls Marker
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, May 16, 2011
3. Why is it called Big Bull Falls Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
