Big Falls in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

History of Big Falls

Photographed by Keith L, July 4, 2009

1. History of Big Falls Marker

Inscription. In 1887, A.W. Whitcomb erected a sawmill on this site and water from the river supplied the power. In 1890, the land was platted and the settlement became the Village of Big Falls. In 1923, Big Falls was incorporated. Today it is one of the smallest incorporated villages in the U.S.A. The early forests were logged and lumber and shingles were milled here. A granite quarry was located below the dam. Stores, churches, hotels, railroads, saloons, a blacksmith shop, creamery, roller skating rink, ice cream parlor, coffin maker, banks, feedmill, post office and a school serviced the early village of nearly 500 residents. After the forests were cleared of timber, Scandinavian and German farmers tilled the fertile soil. Today, the greater Big Falls area has seen a return of timber production and milling of lumber as well as a continuation of the tradition of family farms.

Erected by the Big Falls Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 44° 37.196′ N, 89° 0.959′ W. Marker is in Big Falls, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. It is on Wall Street (County Highway E/G) east of Main Street (County Highway C/E/G), on the left

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when traveling east. Marker is by Big Falls Pond. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Falls WI 54926, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wāpahkoh (approx. 5.7 miles away); Tigerton Lumber Company (approx. 8.6 miles away); Old Tigerton Village Hall (approx. 8.6 miles away); Slaughter House Ski Hill (approx. 9.1 miles away); Birthplace of the Iola Old Car Show (approx. 9.3 miles away); Iola Old Car Show (approx. 9.4 miles away); Iola Mills (approx. 9½ miles away); Iola Veterans Memorial (approx. 9½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Chief Waupaca (was approx. 5.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Big Falls, WI Profile. (Submitted on December 4, 2009.)

Photographed by Keith L, July 4, 2009

2. History of Big Falls Marker

Little Wolf River / Big Falls Pond image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 4, 2009

3. Little Wolf River / Big Falls Pond

Nearby Big Falls Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 4, 2009

4. Nearby Big Falls Dam

Big Falls Population Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 14, 2013

5. Big Falls Population Sign

As noted on the marker, Big Falls is one of the smallest incorporated villages in the U.S.A. Marker is beyond the curves on the right side of the highway.

Village of Big Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 14, 2013

6. Village of Big Falls

Marker is in the distance at the end of the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,064 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on September 19, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.