Menomonee Falls in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Menomonee River and Lower Falls

Photographed by Connor Olson

1. Menomonee River and Lower Falls Marker

Inscription. Pitor to the earliest settlement of the village, the Menomonee River was an important resource for the Menominee and Chippewa Indian tribes who lived in the area. The Menomonee River was named after the Native American word “Mih-no-min-ee” which means “wild rice.” In pre settlement days, the river was a meandering, easy flowing stream except for a series of natural falls and rapids which occurred between Main Street and the Lime Kilns. The waterfall at this site recalls the natural character of the river that once existed upstream before the construction of the Lepper Dam and Mill Pond, "Early setters of the Village used the river’s steplike descant to develop several water powered mills. One such development was a sawmill constructed at this site in 1856 by Charles Nehs. The site was also the location of the Maca Lime Kilns built in 1891. Two of the original three kilns and the white lime spoils pile from the lime burning process are still visible today.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 43° 10.634′ N,

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88° 6.769′ W. Marker is in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It can be reached from Mill Street south of Main Street. Located in Lime Kiln Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Menomonee Falls WI 53051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frederick Nehs Mill and Mill Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mill Pond Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Third Street Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Brogan Cabin (approx. one mile away); Steichen House (approx. one mile away); Koch House (approx. one mile away); Sunnyside School Bell Tower Replica (approx. one mile away); School House (approx.

Photographed by Connor Olson, November 20, 2022

2. Menomonee River and Lower Falls Marker

one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Menomonee Falls.

Photographed by Connor Olson, November 6, 2022

3. Menomonee River and Lower Falls Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.