Ripon in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Birthplace of the Republican Party
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 25, 2024
1. Birthplace of the Republican Party Marker
In this school house on March 20, 1854 was held the first mass meeting in this country that definitely and positively cut loose from old parties, and advocated a new party under the name Republican.
Erected by Delano Granite Works Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1868.
Location. 43° 50.64′ N, 88° 50.208′ W. Marker is in Ripon, Wisconsin, in Fond du Lac County. It is on Blackburn Street (State Highway 49) near East Blossom Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Blackburn Street, 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: 300 Watson Street (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long Way Home (about 600 feet away); 401 Watson Street (about 700 feet away); First Baptist Church of Ripon (about 700 feet away); Rotary Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); 126 E. Jackson Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ripon College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grand View Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripon.
Another marker is no longer nearby. 401 Watson Street (was about 700 feet away but has been
this page online
Also see . . . The Little White Schoolhouse. Ripon Historical website entry (Submitted on April 27, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Photographed by William J. Toman, March 3, 2013
2. Birthplace of the Republican Party Marker
Photographed by William J. Toman, March 3, 2013
3. Birthplace of the Republican Party Markers
The schoolhouse mentioned in the marker is in the background.
Photographed by William J. Toman, March 3, 2013
4. Birthplace of the Republican Party Markers
As noted by the sign in the foreground, the birthplace of the Republican party is now the Little White Schoolhouse Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,443 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on April 27, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.
