Colby in Clark County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Home of Colby Cheese

Photographed by Keith L, July 14, 2008

1. The Home of Colby Cheese Marker

Inscription. At his father's cheese factory about one mile south and one mile west of here, Joseph F. Steinwand in 1885 developed a new and unique type of cheese. He named it for the township in which his father, Ambrose Steinwand, Sr., had built northern Clark County's first cheese factory three years before. The town had taken its name from Gardner Colby, whose company built the Wisconsin Central railroad through here.

Colby is a mild, soft, moist cheese. Its taste became known in the neighboring areas and an 1898 issue of the Colby Phonograph noted that "A merchant in Phillips gives as one of the 13 reasons why people should trade with him, that he sells the genuine Steinwand Colby Cheese."

After the turn of the century this area became one of the great cheese producing centers in the nation and Colby cheese a favorite in countries the world around.

Erected 1968 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 161.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 44° 54.407′ N,

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90° 18.982′ W. Marker is in Colby, Wisconsin, in Clark County. It is on South 1st Street north of West Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colby WI 54421, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

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 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: S.S. Dorchester Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); History of The Big White Pine (approx. 6.6 miles away); Dorchester Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); The Yellowstone Trail (approx. 6.7 miles away); Samuel Hartford (approx. 13 miles away); Loyal Veterans Memorial (approx. 15.1 miles away); Castner–Mack Cemetery (approx. 16 miles away).

Also see . . . Colby cheese. (Submitted on September 9, 2013, by Trevor Morris of Fond du lac, Wisconsin.)

Photographed by Keith L, July 14, 2008

2. The Home of Colby Cheese Marker

Photographed by Keith L, June 8, 2011

3. The Home of Colby Cheese Marker

Photographed by Keith L, October 5, 2021

4. The Home of Colby Cheese Marker

Former Colby Cheese Factory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 14, 2008

5. Former Colby Cheese Factory

Photographed by Keith L, July 14, 2008

6. Former Colby Cheese Factory

Hi Line Avenue at Colby Factory Road

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,713 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on June 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on March 31, 2022, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.