Hortonville in Outagamie County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alonzo E. Horton

1813 – 1909

Photographed By Keith L, July 4, 2009

1. Alonzo E. Horton Marker

Inscription. Horton was born in Connecticut. In 1848, he purchased land in this heavily forested area and built a dam across Black Otter Creek to power a sawmill. Water collecting behind Horton's dam formed Black Otter Lake.

Hortonville, named after its founder, quickly developed. Wooden aqueducts were extended from the lake to power the saw, flour and gristmills. Hotels, general stores, and taverns created the present Main Street. This small community was incorporated as the Village of Hortonville in 1894.

In the early 1850s, Horton headed west. He became a prospector and tradesman in the San Francisco, California area. In 1867, he took a steamer down the coast and bought land, using his promotional skills to found New San Diego, where he continued to be a colorful character into old age.

Erected 2001 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 466.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 44° 20.089′ N, 88° 38.246′ W. Marker is in Hortonville, Wisconsin, in

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Outagamie County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 15) east of Nash Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Veterans Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hortonville WI 54944, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birthplace of the American Water Spaniel (approx. 6.1 miles away); New London Fairground (approx. 6.7 miles away); Stone Puller (approx. 6.7 miles away); Shiocton Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away); South Greenville Grange No. 225 (approx. 8 miles away); Center Valley Grade School (approx. 9.3 miles away); Larson Brothers Airport (approx. 9.4 miles away); Fox – Irish Cemetery (approx. 9.7 miles away).

Also see . . . Alonzo Horton. Wikipedia entry. "... new businesses began to flood into the new tract due to its greater convenience for ships arriving from the East. Eventually the new addition began to eclipse Old Town in importance as the heart of the growing city. Local land exploded in price throughout the 1880s, making Horton a success yet again." (Submitted on July 9, 2009.)

Photographed By Keith L, July 4, 2009

2. Alonzo E. Horton Marker

Black Otter Lake is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,193 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.