Ripon in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Wisconsin Phalanx and Warren Chase
Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl
1. The Wisconsin Phalanx and Warren Chase Marker
Founded in 1844, and named for Ceres the Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceresco was the home of the Wisconsin Phalanx, an experiment in utopian association living, according to the rule of the French social philosopher Charles Fourier. Under the leadership of Warren Chase, the Phalanx attracted a membership of about two hundred persons. He was a fierce supporter of the settlement and a reformer.
Warren Chase represented Fond du Lac County at the 1846 and 1847 state constitutional conventions, advocating for equal rights regardless of race or sex, especially rights for married women. He was elected one of the first state senators, and in the 1850 election, was the Free Soil Party candidate for governor.
Although one of the more successful Fourierite communities, the Phalanx disbanded in 1850 with members lured away by Native American land sales, the California gold rush, and the expansion of the American west. The village became a part of Ripon in 1853.
The replica long house and Ceresco Park are two of the few reminders of the pioneer settlement of Ceresco.
Erected 2025 by Ripon Historical Society, Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 630.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 43° 50.899′ N, 88° 51.045′ W. Marker is in Ripon, Wisconsin, in Fond du Lac County. It is on Union Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Ceresco Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ripon WI 54971, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley. 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 walking distance of this marker: Carrie Chapman Catt (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Republican Party (approx. half a mile away); First Congregational Church of Ripon (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ripon College (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rotary Square (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grand View Hotel (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Long Way Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); 300 Watson Street (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripon.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Ceresco (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Utopians in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Historical Society). Overview:
During the 19th century, Wisconsin(Submitted on September 6, 2025.)was home to several experiments in communal living. The urge to form perfect societies goes back to the 17th century in the United States, but the 19th century saw the greatest number of experimental social orders. While most had the common goal of reforming or recreating society, they differed radically in philosophy and method. Adherents generally believed that they could break away from mainstream life to form a perfect society, and that the rest of the world would then follow their example. Some were inspired by secular values and others by religious beliefs, but most of these groups saw themselves as peaceful pioneers for a new order to be built in the remote Wisconsin wilderness.via Wikipedia, unknown2. Warren Chase
The best-known communal experiment in Wisconsin was the Wisconsin Phalanx, a community based on the principles of Charles Fourier, established at Ceresco (Ripon). It was the second-largest Fourierist experiment in the country, lasting from 1844 until 1850, and housed around 180 people, most of whom lived communally in the Long House...
2. Ceresco, Wisconsin. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 26, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Warren Chase. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 26, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
via Wikipedia, unknown
3. The "Long House"
The "edifice" of the Wisconsin Phalanx for collective dwelling was this "long house" more than 200 feet in length. As of 2014 the building was still in existence in its original location, used as an apartment building.
1. Ceresco
This marker replaces the one titled Ceresco that was previously at this location. According to the Ripon Historical Society, the old marker was damaged in a storm and this replacement has more in-depth and accurate information.
— Submitted March 23, 2026, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2025, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2025, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
