City of Kewaunee, 401 Fifth Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216920-388-5000info@cityofkewaunee.orgKewaunee's recorded history dates back to the seventeenth century. Originally settled by the Potawatomi Indians in the early 1600s, Kewaunee was visited by numerous early explorers including Jean Nicolet in 1634, Father Marquette in 1674 and Jacques Veau, a French trader who established a trading post at the mouth of the Kewaunee River, in 1795.The first permanent European settlement began in 1836, when rumors of gold having been found near the mouth of the Kewaunee River led to "gold fever". Preparations were made to lay out a city which was expected to rival Chicago in importance, but when the gold boom turned bust, the land speculators moved on.Kewaunee was incorporated as a village in 1873 and as a city in 1883. The County Courthouse was erected in 1873, on the crest of the settlement’s highest hill, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan to the east and the rolling countryside to the west. Kewaunee first developed as a lumber town. Its proximity to northern forests and excellent transportation connections made it a prime location for sawmills and furniture factories. Kewaunee's natural harbor was a major factor in the development of the early settlement. By 1891, Kewaunee was one of the great marine ports of the northern lakes.During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kewaunee was a prosperous community with a thriving economy. This prosperity is reflected in the Marquette Historic District, which was developed, beginning in the 1880's, when wealthy business owners and their families desired new, large homes farther from downtown. The houses in the district have been well maintained by their subsequent owners, preserving the historic atmosphere of the residential neighborhood.With its proud maritime and ethnic heritage, Kewaunee offers interesting historical facts. For instance, the first doctor's office in Wisconsin was opened in Kewaunee in 1874, which still stands today on Milwaukee Street. Also, the U.S.S. Pueblo, along with other World War II naval vessels, were built and launched in Kewaunee.The City of Kewaunee has maintained, and will continue to preserve, its cultural heritage, natural beauty and small-town environment.Web Design software by Xara
City of Kewaunee, 401 Fifth Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216
920-388-5000
info@cityofkewaunee.org
Kewaunee's recorded history dates back to the seventeenth century. Originally settled by the Potawatomi
Indians in the early 1600s, Kewaunee was visited by numerous early explorers including Jean Nicolet in 1634,
Father Marquette in 1674 and Jacques Veau, a French trader who established a trading post at the mouth of the
Kewaunee River, in 1795.
The first permanent European settlement began in 1836, when rumors of gold having been found near the
mouth of the Kewaunee River led to "gold fever". Preparations were made to lay out a city which was expected
to rival Chicago in importance, but when the gold boom turned bust, the land speculators moved on.
Kewaunee was incorporated as a village in 1873 and as a city in 1883. The County Courthouse was erected in
1873, on the crest of the settlement’s highest hill, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan to the east and
the rolling countryside to the west. Kewaunee first developed as a lumber town. Its proximity to northern
forests and excellent transportation connections made it a prime location for sawmills and furniture factories.
Kewaunee's natural harbor was a major factor in the development of the early settlement. By 1891, Kewaunee
was one of the great marine ports of the northern lakes.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kewaunee was a prosperous community with a
thriving economy. This prosperity is reflected in the Marquette Historic District, which was developed, beginning
in the 1880's, when wealthy business owners and their families desired new, large homes farther from
downtown. The houses in the district have been well maintained by their subsequent owners, preserving the
historic atmosphere of the residential neighborhood.
With its proud maritime and ethnic heritage, Kewaunee offers interesting historical facts. For instance, the first
doctor's office in Wisconsin was opened in Kewaunee in 1874, which still stands today on Milwaukee Street.
Also, the U.S.S. Pueblo, along with other World War II naval vessels, were built and launched in Kewaunee.
The City of Kewaunee has maintained, and will continue to preserve, its cultural heritage, natural beauty and
small-town environment.
Web Design software by Xara
