History of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA

Oshkosh was incorporated as a city in 1853, although it had already been designated the county seat, and had a population of nearly 2,800.

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1854 - Oshkosh
Osukosii, a flourishing post-village, capital of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, is situated on the Neenah or Fox river, at its entrance into Lake Winnebago, about 90 miles N. N. E. from Madison. The lumber trade is carried on here extensively, the river and lake being navigable by steamboats. It contains 3 churches, an academy, a land-office, 3 news paper offices, 1 manufactory of pumps, 1 of threshing machines, 1 foundry, 6 mills, 9 dry- goods stores, and about 20 other stores. Plank- roads ure projected from Oshkosh to Waupun and Neenah. Laid out about 1840. Population in 1853, estimated at 2500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859 - Oshkosh, WI - The 1859 arrival of rail transportation expanded the ability to meet the demands of a rapidly growing construction market.
The lumber industry became well established as businessmen took advantage of navigable waterways to provide access to both markets and northern pineries.
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By 1874, there were 47 sawmills and 15 shingle mills in Oshkosh.

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On April 28, 1875, Oshkosh had a "Great Fire" that consumed homes and businesses along Main Street north of the Fox River.
The fire had engulfed 70 stores, 40 factories, and 500 homes costing nearly $2.5 million in damage.
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1878 - Wisconsin hosted the nation's first automobile race when the state offered $10,000 to the inventor of a machine that could move from Green Bay to Madison under its own power
With an average speed of six miles per hour, it took Alexander Gallagher of Oshkosh approximately twenty-two hours to win the race.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ wisconsin.html

1879 - BREWERY BURNED. Total Destruction of Horn & Schwain's Brewery.
About five o'clock Sunday morning the brewery on Duty street just south of 16th street owned by A. Horn and Leonard Schwain estate was totally destroyed by fire. It seems that a fire broke out in the brewery about the boiling kettles early on Saturday evening but was put out entirely as it was thought with pails of water. Evidently, however, some smouldering embers remained unextinguished for about four o'clock the building was discovered by the neighbors in a mass of flames. Two or three of the employees slept in the brewery and they barely had time to escape. The fire department were on hand, but the long distance to the brewery permitted the flames to get beyond control before the steamers could reach the spot. The steamers were mainly used in protecting adjoining property and saving the ice house. The ice house was badly burned but a large portion of the ice can probably be saved by repacking with sawdust. The brewery itself was totally consumed together with a large amount of... Read MORE...

OshKosh B'Gosh, a manufacturer of overalls and children's clothing was founded in Oshkosh in 1895

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1895 - Oshkosh
Osh'kosh, a city, the capital of Winnebago co., Wis., is situated on the W. shore of Lake Winnebago and on both banks of Fox River (which here enters the lake), 17 miles N. by W. of Fond du Lac, 80 miles (81 by rail) N.N.W. of Milwaukee, and 49 miles S.S.W. of Green Bay. The ground on which it is built slopes gradually towards the lake and river, and is convenient for drainage. Steamboats can ascend from Green Bay to this city, and can pass in the other direction to the Mississippi River by means of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Oshkosh is on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and the Wisconsin Central Railroad; it is the N.E. terminus of a branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and is the terminus of the Hortonville Branch of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad. It is the second city of the state in population, and contains a court-house, a state normal school, a high school, about 16 churches, 3 public halls, an opera-house, a public library, 3 national... Read MORE...

Around 1900 Oshkosh was home of the Oshkosh Brewing Company, which coined the marketing slogan "By Gosh It's Good."
Its Chief Oshkosh became a nationally distributed beer.
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1906
Oshkosh, a city, the capital of Winnebago co., Wis., is situated on the W. shore of Lake Winnebago and on both banks of the Fox River (which here enters the lake), 49 miles SSW. of Green Bay, on the Chicago and Northwestern and other railroads. Steamboats ascend from Green Bay to this city, and can pass in the other direction to the Mississippi River by means of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. Oshkosh contains a number of stately public buildings (government building, city-hall, etc.). It has vast lumber- and flouring-industries, numerous saw-mills, sash-, door-, blind-, coffin-, furniture-, carriage- and wagon-factories, shingle-mills, breweries, vinegar-works, match-factory, machine-shops, foundries, a boat-yard, etc. Oshkosh is a favorite summer- And fishing-resort and contains a state normal school rod (in the immediate suburbs) a state insane asylum. Pop. in 1870, 12,663 ; in 1880, 15,748 ; in 1890, 22,836; in 1900, 28,284.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1909 - Engineer Warner Killed - Meets Instant Death in Head End Freight Collision Wednesday Afternoon.
Horace O. Warner of this city was instantly killed in a head-end collision between a southbound work train and a northbound coal special at Oshkosh at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Warner was the engineer on the special and is reported to have been literally ground to pieces in the wreckage of the engine.

The wreck occurred on a curved track and the work train, which was loaded with ties, was slowing up for the derail switch at the bridge, when the special coming up from the south at a great speed, pushed by a helping engine, crashed into it. A statement as to where the blame lies for the collision has not yet been received.

Both engines are reported to have been demolished and the one which had been pulling the special was turned completely around. Traffic was delayed for several hours. M. H. Lied of Rockfield and G. W. Brown of Fond du Lac, first and second firemen for Warner, jumped and escaped serious injury. E. Baney of North Fond du Lac, engineer on the work train,... Read MORE...

Oshkosh also has an airport named Wittman Field or Wittman Regional Airport which opened in 1927 as Oshkosh Airport Inc.

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Oshkosh:
EAA Aviation Museum: Start your visit to Oshkosh with a trip to the EAA Aviation Museum. This museum celebrates the history of aviation, featuring a stunning collection of vintage aircraft, interactive exhibits, and even a flight simulator. It's a must-visit, especially during the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event, when the skies are filled with all sorts of planes.

Lake Winnebago: As Wisconsin's largest inland lake, Lake Winnebago offers plenty of recreational opportunities. You can go boating, fishing, or simply enjoy a leisurely lakeside picnic. The views of the lake are particularly beautiful during sunrise and sunset.

Menominee Park Zoo: If you're traveling with family, the Menominee Park Zoo is a great place to spend some quality time. It's a compact zoo with a variety of animals, including snow leopards, kangaroos, and red pandas. There's also a lovely playground and a train ride within the park.

Oshkosh Public Museum: Delve into Oshkosh's rich history by visiting... Read MORE...