Near Waterford in Racine County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Muskego

Photographed By Paul F, August 17, 2009

1. Old Muskego Marker

Inscription. Under the leadership of John Luraas, forty pioneers came to Muskego Lake from Norway in 1839, to found one of the most important settlements in Norwegian-American history. After temporary set-backs, the settlement flourished here through the leadership of Even Heg, Johannes Johanssen, Soren Bache, Elling Eilsen, James Reymert and Claus Clausen, who sent glowing reports to Norway and encouraged a large movement to this country.
This settlement gave rise to the first Norwegian Lutheran congregation organized in America (1843) and published the first Norwegian-American newspaper. Old Muskego became well known as a mother colony to other settlements, schools and churches springing up on the new frontier. Countless wagonloads of newcomers stopped here before continuing west.
Nearby Heg Park commemorates Colonel Hans C. Heg, one of Wisconsin’s Civil War heroes.

Erected 1963 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 129.)

Topics and series. 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 1839.

Location. 42° 48.219′ N, 88° 10.296′ W. Marker is near Waterford, Wisconsin, in Racine

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County. Marker is at the intersection of Heg Park Road and Norway Hill Road, on the right when traveling north on Heg Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waterford WI 53185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Maney Ridge Prehistoric Effigy Mounds (approx. 4.8 miles away); Dodges Corners Cemetery (approx. 5.3 miles away); Village of Big Bend (approx. 5½ miles away); Haseltine Cobblestone House (approx. 6½ miles away); Town of Vernon (approx. 6.7 miles away); Old Muskego Town Hall (approx. 6.7 miles away); The Devil's Teapot (approx. 6.8 miles away); Luther Parker Cemetery (approx. 6.9 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Muskego Settlement, Wisconsin. Wikipedia article that states, in part, "Swamp fever, ague, and malaria plagued the early settlers at Muskego. The settlement was afflicted by cholera at least twice, in 1849 and 1851. Ultimately, the original settlement site was abandoned, and the settlers relocated principally to other locations in southern Wisconsin." (Submitted on November 22, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Hans Christian Heg. Wikipedia article about the "Norwegian American abolitionist, journalist, anti-slavery activist, politician and soldier, best known for leading the Scandinavian 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment

Photographed By Paul F, August 17, 2009

2. Old Muskego Marker

on the Union side in the American Civil War... [who] died of the wounds he received at the Battle of Chickamauga." (Submitted on November 22, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.