HISTORY BUFFS, we need your help with information and pictures of the submarine
that was built in Oshkosh and got stuck in the bridge during its maiden voyage.

Just send and email to: Skip@OshkoshUSA.com with your Oshkosh History information and pictures.

Oshkosh...Have you seen us lately?

Let's stroll the streets of yesteryears and admire the notable neighborhoods.
Devastated by fires, Oshkosh in its early years was a phoenix rising again,
a testimony to the people of the city and their concern for rebuilding it.

While fur trade brought the first European settlers to this area as early as 1818, the establishment and growth of the lumber industry fueled the development of Oshkosh. The structures which now make up the city's historic areas are a result of the capital and materials generated by the lumber and associated wood manufacturing industries.

When Oshkosh was formally incorporated in 1853, it had already been designated the county seat and had a population of nearly 2,800. The lumber industry was well established as entrepreneurs took advantage of navigable waterways to provide access to both northern pineries and markets. The 1859 arrival of rail transportation provided an important opportunity to meet the demands of a larger and rapidly growing construction market. By 1870, Oshkosh had become third largest city in the state with a population of over 12,000.

In Addition to providing capital and materials for construction of buildings now considered historic, the lumber industry was associated with entrepreneurs and businessmen who made significant contributions to the community, politics and philanthropic organizations. Availability of materials and capital, along with the devastating downtown fires in the mid 1870's created opportunities for architects to produce a range of well designed buildings for residential, commercial, civic and religious use.

Enjoy your trip through Oshkosh history!

	Oshkosh Area Time Line		Historical Markers in the City
	William Waters' Biography		Algoma Boulevard District
	Paine Lumber District		Central City Area

Oshkosh History Time Line

Pre 1600 - Souix Indian tribe sole inhabitants of the area.

After 1600 - Chippewas, Potowanomies, Menominees, Winnebagos and two Mohican tribes (Stockbridge and Brothertown) reside in what is now Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

1634 - Just fourteen years after the landing at Plymouth Rock, Jean Nicolet, commissioned by the French government, passes through the Fox Valley making treaties with the Indians. This was the beginning of the fur trading business.

1670 - On April 20, Father Claude Allouez landed at a point near Oshkosh and said the first Catholic mass in this part of the world. Two hundred years later this ground was dedicated as Menominee Park.

1673 - Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joilet travel from Green Bay, up the Fox River, to the Wisconsin River, to the Mississippi River. This becomes the "highway" from French Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

1795 - Chief Oshkosh was born. At the age of 32 he became the Chief of the Menominee Indians. He died in 1858.

1818 - Robert Grignon establishes a trading post at the head of Lake Butte des Morts.

1821 - Grignon moves his trading post near the Fox River and becomes the first white inhabitant of what would become the city of Oshkosh.

1832 - Most Indians are moved to the Menominee Reservation.

1836 - The Menominee sign the "Treaty of the Cedars" deeding the area to the Wisconsin Territory. Webster Stanley files the first homestead claim for land north of the Fox River and builds his home there. He is generally credited with being the first white inhabitant of the area.

1838 - The first school is established with Emmeline Cook as teacher.

1839 - The area north of the river is known as Athens; Brooklyn is the name south of the river. The residents decide to vote on one name for the city. Nominees are Athens, Osceola, Stanford and Oskosh. The British split between Athens and Stanford. The French, trying to keep their trading partners happy unite behind Oskosh. The spelling was later changed to Oshkosh, the Indian word for brave.

1840 - The US Government gave Oshkosh its own post office. John P. Gallup was the postmaster.

1842 - Winnebago County is chartered.

1843 - J.H. Osborne opens the first store in Oshkosh.

1844 - Joseph Jackson constructs the first frame house.

1848 - Wisconsin becomes a state.

1848 - Oshkosh is chosen for the county seat.

1849 - The first newspaper, the Oshkosh True Democrat is published.

1850 - Philetus Sawyer starts a lumber business on the west side of the Fox River.

1853 - Oshkosh becomes a city. The first mayor is Edward Eastman.

1855 - The Paine Lumber company is founded.

1858 - The first railroad comes to Oshkosh.

1859 - Fire destroys most of the city's north side. It is rebuilt within six months.

1861 - Civil War. Nearly 1,000 Oshkosh men serve in the Union Army.

1866 - The second of the great fires destroys much of the city with most of the damage near Main and Washington Streets.

1871 - The Oshkosh Normal School is founded. It would evolve into the State Teachers College and later into the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.

1873 - The city boasts 24 saw mills, 15 shingle mills and the nickname "Sawdust City."

1875 - Three fires, in April, May and July ravage the city one more time. Fortunately these would be the last of the great fires. An improved Fire Department, the use of brick and stone in construction and improved safety in the sawmills reduced the fire hazard.

1878 - Steam car "Oshkosh" wins the Great Race from Green Bay to Madison. The 201 mile race took 33 hours and 27 minutes.

1883 - Grand Opera House opens with a performance of "The Bohemian Girl."

1891 - Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother establish the first hospital in Oshkosh.

1896 - Oshkosh Public Library opens.

1897 - Raddatz submarine successfully tested in the Fox River.

1897 - Electric street cars replaced the horse cars.

1898 - Great Woodworkers' Strike with Clarence Darrow as defense attorney.

1903 - Oshkosh B'Gosh is established although the B'Gosh name would not be used until 1910.

1907 - F.W. Mueller purchased the drug business at the corner of 10th and Oregon Street in Oshkosh.

1917 - World War I claims 98 Oshkosh citizens.

1922 - On February 22, the city endures the worst sleet storm in its history. Electricity is out for a week.

1924 - Edgar Sawyer home becomes the Oshkosh Public Museum.

1925 - Mueller-Potter opened a third drug store. New location at 206 Merritt Avenue, Oshkosh.

1927 - Large airport is opened with mail service.

1928 - The Raulf Hotel is built, Oshkosh's tallestbuilding, 10 stories!

1929 - Stock market crashes and the Great Depression starts; Oshkosh loses 40% of its manufacturing jobs.

1941 - Oshkosh All Stars pro basketball team wins world championship.

1941 - World War II claims 155 Oshkosh citizens.

1948 - Paine Art Center opens.

1957 - Council-City Manager system replaces Mayor-Alderman system of government.

1963 - Miss Wisconsin Pageant comes to Oshkosh.

1966 - Largest land annexation in city's history is approved - Westhaven.

1967 - Jet service comes to Oshkosh and the Fox Valley.

1969 - Airport is renamed Wittman Field after aviation pioneer Steve Wittman.

Steve Wittman and a sampling of the trophies he garnered in a racing career that spanned six decades. An aircraft designer and Oshkosh airport manager for decades, Wittman was instrumental in bringing the Experimental Aircraft Association to Oshkosh.

1970 - Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA brings their convention to Oshkosh.

1986 - Grand Opera House reopens with a performance of "The Bohemian Girl" again.

1994 - Fire destroys the third floor of the Oshkosh Public Museum.

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Historical Markers in the City

William Waters' Biography

Few American cities can look with admiration and pride at many of their historic buildings having been designed by a single architect. Oshkosh is one city that enjoys such a distinction. William Waters, architect, lived and worked here for fifty years, from 1867 to 1917. He left the mark of his talent everywhere in Oshkosh, the Fox River Valley and in many other areas of Wisconsin.

Waters came to Oshkosh as a young man from the state of New York, where he was born in Franklin County in 1843. After attending various schools there, this son of a merchant enrolled at Rensslaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He completed three semesters of a four-year course in civil engineering, and then he decided to seek his fortune "West." Attracted to Oshkosh by reconstruction opportunities after the great fires that ravaged the city from 1859 on, Waters began immediately designing important buildings such as the State Normal School (1869), and the Brooklyn Firehouse, also in 1869. A successful career followed.

His greatest recognition came when he entered and won a contest for state architects to design a Wisconsin building for the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago. His three-story building, over 14,000 square feet, was huge and impressive, and gave him state-wide recognition.

From 1867 until his death in December, 1917, Waters continued to leave his mark on Oshkosh. Today, we see the Grand Opera House, Oshkosh Public Library, Public Museum, most of our older schools, beautiful churches, downtown buildings and some of the finest residences (all the design of William Waters). His great success was tied to "being in the right place at the right time," combined with a natural talent for architectural design. Oshkosh was enjoying lumber wealth, and the "barons" wanted homes reflecting not only their personal affluence but also the diversity of their lumber's beauty. Many residences show this, with varied woods in each room. His work in Oshkosh and other cities was varied, including courthouses, schools, banks, opera houses, churches, hotels, stores and homes. In total, he designed over 150 buildings.

In his own time, Waters was a respected citizen who often shared his good fortune with those who were needy. His obituary tells that he helped as a landlord by leaving rent uncollected during hard times and supplying coal and firewood.

Today, William Waters Plaza, across from the Oshkosh Public Library (his design) honors his Memory.

William Waters

1843-1917

"Dedicated to a Master Architect Who Left Many Elegant and Private Edifices
which stand as Monuments Throughout the City of Oshkosh."

William Waters is buried in Riverside Cemetery with other members of his family.
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Algoma Boulevard District

Originally home to many of the city's wealthiest residents associated with the lumber and wood products industries, the district is primarily residential but also contains three churches and a recently renovated elementary school. The district includes two museums which were originally built as residences for members of significant lumber industry families. 1331 Algoma Boulevard, now the Oshkosh Public Museum, was built for Edgar Sawyer, president of the Sawyer Lumber Company. The Paine residences, now a museum at 1410 Algoma Boulevard, was built as a residence for Nathan Paine, the president of what at one time was thought to be the largest sash and door company in the world. While the district is characterized by a large number of Queen Anne and Period Revival homes designed by local architects, including noted William Waters, it also includes the city's only Frank Lloyd Wright designed structure at 1165 Algoma Boulevard. The district contains one of the state's best examples of Shingle Style architecture at 1149 Algoma, which was the home of one of the city's most famous daughters, suffragette Jessie Jack Hooper.
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Paine Lumber District

The structures in this district are associated with the heyday of the Paine Lumber business, one of the most significant local lumbering concerns, and were constructed between the end of World War 1 and the Great Depression. The district includes the Paine row houses at 1202-1318 Summit Avenue which was employee housing, the Paine Thrift Bank, the Paine Barn which housed horses used in the plant, and the city fire station built on land leased from the Paine Company.

Algoma Boulevard Traditionally known as the "Gold Coast" of Oshkosh, this district was originally home to some of the City's wealthiest families, many of whom were associated with the lumber and wood products industries. The district also contains the home of Jesse Jack Hooper, a woman whose dedication to the suffrage movement is attributed to the State being the first to ratify the suffrage amendment. The majority of homes are of Queen Anne and Period Revival styles. The District also contains the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in the city.

Paine Lumber Originally established as a sawmill in 1853 by Edward Paine and his two sons, the Paine Lumber Company became the most successful and largest of the numerous lumber companies in Oshkosh. The company employed over 2,000 at its peqak in 1929 when it was said to be the largest sash and door company in the world, producing one third of the nations hardwood doors.

Algoma Boulevard District

1. 1057 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1884 - Richardsonian Romanesque, Architect: William Waters,
Built for Arthur Jones, Lumber and Shingle Manufacturer

2. 1107 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1880 - Queen Anne, Architect: L.S. Hicks,
Built for Robert H. McMillen, Lumberman

3. 1106 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1895 - Colonial Revival,
Built for O.T. Waite, Secretary - Treasurer, Waite Grass Carpet Co.

4. 1129 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1889 - Italianate,
Built for: William Dean, Foreman, McMillen Lumber Company

5. 1133 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1889 - Queen Anne,
Built for: William J. Wagstaff, Lumber Dealer

6. 1141 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1890 - Queen Anne, Home of Eugene Bemis, Wholesale Jobber,
Built for S. H. Waterman, Lumberman

7. 1149 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1888 - Shingle Style, Architect William Waters,
Built for: Jesse Jack Hooper, Leading Suffragist

8. 1165 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1917 - Prairie School Style, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright,
Built for Steven Hunt, Vice-President, McMillen Lumber Company

9. 1174 Algoma Blvd - Algoma United Methodist Church - Circa 1892 - Richardsonian Romanesque,
Architect: William Waters

10. 1219 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1926 - English Cottage Style, Architect: Auler and Jensen,
Built for Harry D. Meyer, Executive, C. R. Meyer construction Company

11. 1224 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa pre 1858 - Greek Revival, Home of Emmitt Hicks, Wisconsin Attorney General, Built for: Charles Kohlman, Editor - Publisher

12. 1304 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1898 - Colonial Revival, Architect: William Waters,
Built for: Allison Ideaon, Mayor, Lumberman

13. 1301 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1922 - Tudor Revival,
Built for: Philetus H. Sawyer, Banker, Businessman, Rancher

14. 1331 Algoma Blvd - Oshkosh Public Museum - Circa 1908 - Academic Revival, Architect: William Waters,
Built for Edgar P. Sawyer, Banker

15. 1410 Algoma Blvd - Paine Art Center& Arboretum - Circa 1927 - English Countryhouse, Architect: Bryant Fleming, New York, Built for Nathan Paine, Lumberman

16. 1428 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1911 - Georgia Revival, Architect: William Waters,
Built for Louis Schriber, Banker

17. 1540 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1884 - Queen Anne,
Built for C.L. Wood, Mechanic, Paine Lumber Company

Paine Lumber District

A. 1621 Congress Ave - Circa 1925 - Beaux Arts Classic, Architect: Auler and Jensen,
Built as Paine Thrift Bank

B. 1202-1318 Summit Ave - Residences - Circa 1925 - Stucco Row Houses,
Built to house Paine Workers
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Central City Area

While not recognized as a National Register Historic District, the Central City area contains a concentration of architecturally and historically significant buildings. The importance attached to the civic, religious and fraternal activities associated with these structures is reflected in the quality of design and construction and their central location underlines the historic importance of this part of the city.

1. 415 Jackson St - Winnebago County Courthouse - Circa 1937 - Modern International, Architect: Julius Sandstedt

2. 215 Church St - Oshkosh City Hall - Circa 1917 - Classic Revival, Architect: Henry Auler/William Waters, Built as Oshkosh High School

3. 110 Church Ave - First Presbyterian Church - Circa 1893 - Richardsonian Romanesque, Architect: William Holbrook

4. 425 Division St - Oshkosh Recreation Building - Circa 1926

5. 206 Algoma Blvd - Residence - Circa 1906 - English Cottage, Architect: William Waters, Built for J.H. Wall, Vice President, Wall-Spaulding Lumber Company., addition built 1997

6. 203 Algoma Blvd - Trinity Episcopal Church - Circa 1887 - Richardson Romanesque, Architect: William Waters

7. 226 High Ave - Residence - Circa 1866 Italianate, Built for Ebenezer James, Lumber Merchant

8. 132-140 High Ave - 309 Brown - Frontenac Apts. - Circa 1890 - Richardson Romanesque/Queen Anne, Contractor - Builder: Joseph T. Raycraft

9. Intersection of Washington Ave and State St, (S.E. Corner) William Waters Plaza. Commemorates William Waters Influential Oshkosh Architect 1867-1917

10. 106 Washington Ave - Oshkosh Public Library - Circa 1900 Beaux Art Classic, Architect: William Waters

11. 204 Washington Ave - Oshkosh Masonic Temple - Circa 1925 - Doric Order, Architect: Auler and Jensen

12. 220 Washington Ave - Wisconsin National Life Insurance - Circa 1927 - Corinthian Order, Architect: Auler, Jensen and Brown

13. 219 Washington Ave - Circa 1929 - Academic Classic, Architect: James A. Whetmote, Built as: U.S. Post Office

14. 303 Washington Ave - Residence - Circa 1891 - Queen Anne, Architect: William Waters, Built for Dr. M.E. Corbett

15. 405 Washington Ave - Fraternal Order of the Eagles - Circa 1928 - Tudor Revival, Architect: Auler and Jensen

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Our thanks to the Oshkosh Convention & Visitor's Bureau for allowing us to share with you
much of the information found on this page about Oshkosh history. www.oshkoshcvb.org