Wonewoc in Juneau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wonewoc History

Incorporated 1878

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2012

1. Wonewoc History Marker

Inscription. Explored by white lumber prospectors in 1842, this site was settled in 1851 and platted as the Village of Wonewoc in 1854. Long the center of a thriving agricultural district with a vibrant local market, the village was originally a lusty lumber town shipping hundreds of cars of railroad ties, cordwood and other forest products each year. It is also the home of the celebrated Dode Fisk Circus (1904-1911) and the Western Wisconsin (Spiritualist) Camp Association (founded 1902), which survives to this day. Wonewoc is located in the "Driftless Area" in which there was no glacial activity. The rock formations that enhance our area, extends underground to nearly Lake Michigan. The white fine sandstone was given the name Wonewoc Sandstone by geologists and is like no other sandstone in the world. Wonewoc is currently home to some eight hundred residents who welcome you to enjoy her parks and recreational facilities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 43° 39.209′ N, 90° 13.436′ W. Marker is in Wonewoc, Wisconsin, in Juneau County. Marker can be reached from Gordon Street west of Center Street (State Route

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33), on the left when traveling west. Marker is located along the "400" State Trail (rail trail), just south of the trailhead parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wonewoc WI 53968, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Lost District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Towns made from this? (approx. 0.6 miles away); Geology of the 400 Trail (approx. one mile away); Mt. Vernon Cemetery Civil War Memorial (approx. 6.3 miles away); African American Settlers of Cheyenne Valley (approx. 6.3 miles away); Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, U.S. Navy (approx. 6.4 miles away); Elroy – Sparta State Trail (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Ironton Mine (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wonewoc.

Also see . . .
1. Wonewoc, Wisconsin (Wikipedia). George and Lucinda Willard first settled the area in 1851. The town was incorporated as a village in 1878, and once the railroad was built village growth exploded. The population of the town was largely settled by Yankee colonists from New England, according to the 1860 census. When the railroad era ended Wonewoc’s growth halted. (Submitted on October 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Local History from the Village of Wonewoc. (A collection of vintage Wonewoc photographs, including the old railroad depot where
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2012

2. Wonewoc Village Map
this marker stands today.) (Submitted on October 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Theodore "Dode" Fisk. Born in Wonewoc in 1859, he got his start as a horse trainer. From an early age was also involved in music, organizing orchestras and making a name for himself as a square dance caller. Around 1900 he began exhibiting his trained horses at county fairs and within a few years had expanded to a full-fledged circus with a menagerie, big top, and 163 stops in Iowa, Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas, Illinois, Kentucky and Mississippi. (Submitted on October 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2012

3. Wonewoc History Marker

Center & Washington Streets, Wonewoc, Wisconsin image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 20, 2012

4. Center & Washington Streets, Wonewoc, Wisconsin

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.