Laurie Logan-South Central WI Real Estate

In 1837, President Van Buren commissioned 45 men to go to Madison to build a territory capitol. They left Milwaukee, travelling through rain for 14 days. As they approached the Madison area, they stopped at the edge of a prairie. On that day, the sun was shining brightly. They carved the name "Sun Prairie" into a tree. Some returned years later to seek out that tree, and establish the city called Sun Prairie.

Sun Prairie has so much to offer! Main Street demonstrates a gracious blend of historic buildings with new ones, offering local businesses and patrons an exciting setting in which to work and play. A delightful Farmers Market runs from Spring through the Fall. Unique shops and restaurants adorn the area. Health care facilities are available right in town. The Library and the Historical Museum enhance education possibilities for all.

Throughout the year, enjoy the YMCA, the Youth Basketball Complex, Athletic Clubs, a System of Over 30 Parks, Civic Theater, Golf, Bowling, and Indoor Hockey.

Every February, the region eagerly anticipates the weather prognostication of: Sun Prairie Jimmy, resident groundhog and season forecaster!

With the Warm Weather comes: Soccer, Angell Park - Midget Auto Racing and of course, the Sun Prairie Corn Festival!

Accommodations & hotels for every budget and preference are available, with easy access to Sun Prairie, 151 and the interstate.

Whether coming for a visit, or coming to stay, you will have a Terrific Time in Sun Prairie!

In 1837, President Van Buren commissioned 45 men to go to Madison to build a territory capitol. They left Milwaukee, travelling through the area we know today as: Marshall, Wisconsin. Three of the men, Andrew Bird, Zenas Bird and Aaron Petrie, noted this special location and returned to begin a new town. They labored for years, building homes and the beginnings of a warm community. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the one public building and the sawmill. The area was dubbed: Bird's Ruins.

Undaunted, more newcomers came and settled the area. In 1849, Bird's Ruins was renamed Hanchetville in recognition of Asahel Hanchett, who had enticed valuable business to the Village. Hanchett added a gristmill, relocated the sawmill, and constructed a new dam. This dam created the Mill Pond so cherished by the growing population.

Residents relied on a plank road serving the area from this village to Watertown for many years. Then, the approach of new railroad generated uproar throughout the community. Despite resistence of many locals, railroad investors moved forward, building a depot. Railroad fever induced them to rename the village, Howard City became the next label of the community. Plans stalled, growth faltered, and Asahel Hanchett sold his vast land holdings to William F. Porter and Samuel Marshall, a pair of Madison Real Estate investors. The Village was eventually called Marshall.

The Village continued to grow, the residents able to prosper. Today, Marshall offers an idyllic community setting, for those seeking to balance the conveniences of modern society with the richness of its extensive history. The Marshall Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and honoring this legacy. The Society operates a museum on Main Street, from Spring through Fall.

When you are in the area, spend some time in Marshall. Local restaurants offer a variety of menus: Mexican, Chinese and Traditional choices. Summertime brings the Fireman's Festival in June, a three day extravaganza, entertaining young and old alike.

Enjoy Marshall! Enjoy Yourself!!

On July 3, 1847, Luke Stoughton, a Vermont Yankee living in the Janesville area, purchased 800 acres of land nestled in a large bend of the Catfish River (now the Yahara River). The cost was $2100. He liked the site because the Catfish River had the potential for being able to power a lumber mill. He designed the town, including the dam, lumber mill, and general store. He also sold land and houses to friends and family. In 1853, Stoughton traded land to the railroad if the line would pass through his city. This transportation feet ensured the growth and success of the city.

With the wagon works and leaf tobacco industries, the population swelled, mainly with people of Norwegian descent. Residential and business districts continued to thrive. Stoughton incorporated as a city in 1882.

By the end of World War I, Stoughton reached the end of her ‘boom years.' Wagon factories gave way to autos. The tobacco industry collapsed as unchecked growing depleted the soil. Stoughton experienced an economic upswing following the Depression, as new industries emerged.

Today, Stoughton continues to grow and prosper, with a lively downtown - and contemporary enhancements around the city. The neighborhoods feature the finest in new housing as well as meticulously preserved estates of the past.

Stoughton, a city for the ages - yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The Village of Cambridge was established in 1847 at a dam on the Koshkonong Creek. Scottish and Norwegian farmers settled the area, building saw and gist mills, two general stores, two hotels, a boot and shoe shop, a harness shop, a cabinet shop, a tailor, a milliner store and a saloon all lined Main Street. One of the hotels on Main Street still stands and houses a jewelry store today.

By the 1860s, Cambridge had grown to a population of 250 residents. The town now boasted a blacksmith and repair shop, a hardware store a post office and a doctor's office. Many of the village's young men enlisted to serve in the Civil War. A statue in the Village Square today honors the veterans of that war.

In 1890 a fire broke out that destroyed much of the business district, as well as, some of the homes on upper Main Street.

The population of Cambridge had rebounded to 700, by the early 1900's. In the 20s, the automobile profoundly impacted Cambridge by spurring its growth as a tourist town. Vacationers started coming to Cambridge and Lake Ripley from Chicago as far back as the late 1800s. To promote Cambridge as a tourist attraction, the village adopted the symbol of a blue and yellow umbrella, and dubbed itself the "Umbrella City". This symbol (based off umbrellas used at the beach on Lake Ripley) is still used by the village in some of its promotions today.

The Cambridge of today features an energetic downtown area filled with unique shops, fanciful restaurants, a beautiful public beach on Lake Ripley, and a wonderful park system. Vacationers remain attracted to our village for the Festivals, Bed & Breakfast getaways, and the talent of local artisans. The hopes and dreams of our founders are alive and well in the Village of Cambridge today.

Cambridge Historic Museum: Local History & Culture Museum housed in the original,

restored Cambridge School building.

TEMPORARY EXHIBITS featuring local artists PERMANENT DISPLAYS

by the Cambridge Historic School Foundation & Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society

OPEN: May through October (except holidays)

Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 3:30pm

Wednesdays from 1 to 3pm

213 South Street, 1 block south of Main Street, between Lawn & High Streets

No admission fee is charged, however, Donations are Greatly Appreciated.

http://www.cambridgehistoricmuseum.org/

For Excellent Insight into the history of Oregon, WI, check out the book: A Walk Back in History: Did You Know? by Florice Paulson.

Ms. Paulson and many others have been instrumental in the success enjoyed by the Oregon Historical Society. The Society recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary in the Fall of 2007.

In the mid - 80's, Eeda Lumley, an Oregon native, saw construction crews tearing down Sarbacher's Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Realizing that something must be done, Lumley called friends and generated interest to form an historical society.

Almost twenty individuals attended the start-up meeting at Village Hall, in September 1987.

The Oregon Area Historical Society is headquarted at the society's museum on 159 W. Lincoln St.

In 1989, Florice Paulson purchased the building and donated it to the society. Volunteers worked tirelessly to arrange the collection and prepare for the Grand Opening. The Museum was dedicated in May 1991, and remains the centerpiece of the society's work. Initially, the collection was small.

But today, the Museum is filled with century-old farm implements, military uniforms, wedding or formal dresses, musical instruments, school desks and more. More inventory is kept on the second floor.

All items are catalogued: bookshelves full of indexed obituaries, family histories, old high school yearbooks and newspaper clippings.

The museum is open for public tours on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays in the summer from 1 to 4 p.m. The destination is popular for young and old alike.