History of Whitewater
A Community Rich in History
Settling Whitewater
A tribe of Potawatomi Native Americans once referred to Whitewater as “Minneiska,” meaning “white water” named for the white sands of the Whitewater River (now called Whitewater Creek).
In 1836, Alvin Foster first settled the area. He made his stake on the land by marking his name on a tree. At that time, that was all one needed to make a legal claim on a piece of land. In 1837, Samuel Prince built the first log cabin near the current site of Whitewater’s Effigy Mounds. After a six-day trip on foot, 20 settlers arrived here from Milwaukee and started the early makings of Whitewater.
In 1839, Dr. Trippe donated money for the Old Stone Mill which helped create a new industrial hub. By 1840, three streets were laid out: Whitewater, Main, and Center. The town had a mill, blacksmith shop, store, hotel, and school, with a post office on the way. By 1844 Whitewater had grown to six stores, one grocery, two hotels, three blacksmith shops, a tailor, two cabinet shops, a cooper, a gristmill, and twenty-nine recorded homes.
A Community Rich in History
Railway Age
In 1852, the first railway to cross Wisconsin laid its tracks through Whitewater, spurring industrial growth. Winchester and DeWolf Plow Factory (1850) Esterly Reaper Works (1857), and Winchester and Partridge Wagon Works (1860) were some of Walworth County’s first and largest industries.
In 1855 the population of Whitewater was 2,224. By 1888 it had grown to 3,621.
Esterly Reaper Works was the largest employer in the 1880s, employing 525. Esterly employees built homes close to the factory on the east side of the city; hence the surrounding area became known as “Reaperville”. Various industries fueled Whitewater’s growth until 1892, when the Esterly Reaper Works moved to Minnesota and the Wagon Works shut down, thus marking the end of Whitewater’s first industrial era.
A Community Rich in History
Whitewater’s Growth to the Present
During the World Wars and Great Depression, small trade and light industries were at the the heart of Whitewater’s economy. Agricultural products, including eggs, farm produce, cheese, dairy products, livestock, and small game made up 66 percent of Whitewater’s trade at the time.
Meanwhile, the Whitewater Normal School (which later evolved into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) continued training teachers. The school made several changes through the years, including diversifying its studies. After World War II, veterans returning from war boosted enrollment, sending the school well on its way to becoming the university it is today. Between the university, manufacturing, and the service industries we have today, Whitewater continues to evolve and grow as a community.
Landmarks
View our Historic Landmarks Map which shows 24 Historic Landmarks around Whitewater, along with a brief history about each structure and its significance. Or check out videos about them HERE!
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