History and Background of Mishicot
Although the village of Mishicot was not legally incorporated until 1950, its history goes back much farther. A sawmill was erected in 1844 by Daniel Smith, and thus began the saga of Mishicot, Wisconsin. By the time of the village's official founding in 1847, Mishicot had become quite prosperous. By the turn of the century, Mishicot would boast six hotels, three general stores, assorted other retailers, a movie theater, a grist mill, and even a brewery.
However, the earliest European presence in the area pre-dates Smith's sawmill by nearly half a century. In 1795, French-Canadian Jacques Vieux established a fur trading post northwest of present day Mishicot, becoming the first European to settle in the area.
Daniel Smith named the village after his friend, Chief Mishicott, as a sign of his respect for the leader of the area Potawatomi community. Local legend has always said that Mishicott's name translated to "hairy legs." However, Gard and Sorden, in their book, The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names, note that while Mishicott is a Native American term, it has been given such meanings as "covered by clouds" and "turtle," among others. They do concede, though, that "hairy legs" is the most "reliable" translation of the Chief's name. Incidentally, for a brief period from 1853 to 1855, Mishicot was renamed Saxonburgh. While the village no longer bears that name, it does live on just east of the village, where both a hill and a country road carry that name.
The early settlers of Mishicot came from many countries, including Germany, Bohemia, Switzerland and Canada. In the village's earlier days these settlers and residents of Mishicot founded three churches, all of which remain today, under the Catholic (1861), Lutheran (1866), and Methodist (1903) faiths.
Mishicot's first public school was organized in 1849, and the first public school building was constructed the same year. The second school building, constructed in 1873, now serves as the home of the Mishicot Historical Museum. In addition to the public school, the village also has two parochial schools, associated with the Catholic and Lutheran churches.
The major component of the local economy was, and still is, agriculture. While many dairy farms have, and still do, dot the countryside surrounding the village, the area's farmers produce much more, including grains, vegetables, meats, and wool. Also of note is that many of the farms in the Mishicot area have been run by the same families for more than a century.
While Daniel Smith's sawmill, and many of the other businesses of days gone by, have since passed into the mists of time, Mishicot is still a prosperous little village. Today, the town boasts a wood products manufacturer, a water bottler, a world-class vacation resort, two nationally acclaimed art galleries, and many other retail and entertainment-related businesses. Alfred Smith and Ira Clark, no doubt, would be proud of what has become of the little village they founded more than a century and a half ago.
For Further information please see:
Welcome to Mishicot, Wisconsin - www.mishicot.org
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