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

Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

1. Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District Marker

Inscription. In 1835, upon finding these falls and their fine water power, Massachusetts pioneer and entrepreneur Silas Stedman decided to purchase the surrounding land for village and industrial development. The following year, Stedman platted the "Town of Rochester" and built the first sawmill at the falls. By 1849, the industrial center grew to three sawmills, a fanning mill manufactory, two flour mills and an iron foundry. In 1850, Wisconsin legislators renamed the "Town of Rochester" to Sheboygan Falls and the village continued to develop throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District, bounded by the Sheboygan River on the east and Detroit Street on the west and including Broadway, Pine and Monroe streets, encapsulates this history. This compact and picturesque district contains many industrial and commercial building examples in a variety of architectural styles dating from the 1840s through the early 20th century. The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Erected 1998 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 388.)

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 43° 43.882′ N, 87° 48.779′ W. Marker is in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, in Sheboygan County. It can be reached from Broadway (State Highway 32) 0.2 miles north of Monroe Street (County Highway PP). Marker is in Settlers Park near the turbine building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sheboygan Falls WI 53085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cole Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mill House Restoration Project

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

2. Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away); Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 4.2 miles away); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1230 (approx. 4.7 miles away); Seils–Sterling Circus (approx. 5 miles away); Sheboygan Indian Mound Park (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Remains of a Massive Lumber Schooner (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Remains of the Lottie Cooper (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheboygan Falls.

Sheboygan River Dam at Turbine Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

3. Sheboygan River Dam at Turbine Building

Turbine Building Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

4. Turbine Building Plaque

Settlers Park Donors Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

5. Settlers Park Donors Sign

Settlers Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

6. Settlers Park

The district is #84000691 in the National Register of Historic Places.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,057 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 25, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.