Last updated on September 9th, 2022
Wisconsin is the 20th most populous and the 23rd most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It is located in the north-central United States, in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The state attained statehood on May 29, 1848, becoming the 30th state to join the union. Its four bordering states are Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. See the complete list of the 50 states and their borders here. Wisconsin (nicknamed: America’s Dairyland, Badger State, Cheese State) has 72 counties. The state’s capital is Madison. The postal abbreviation for Wisconsin is WI. With these 65 facts about Wisconsin, let us learn about its history, geography, economy, people, culture, wildlife and more.
1. Ginseng producer
Known as the Marathon County, Wisconsin produces the entire ginseng grown in the United States, which accounts for roughly 10% of the world’s supply. The State even holds an international festival every September where people get a chance to look at the process more closely and sample drinks and foods that contain the product.[1]
2. The badger state
The state symbol of Wisconsin, the badger, does not refer to the animal as most people think. Rather, it refers to the lead miners of the 1820s who travelled for work and even dug tunnels to find somewhere to sleep and stay warm—in the same way as a badger. The UW-Madison Wisconsin Badgers is marked to celebrate the game day. It’s the mascot of the state’s biggest university as well.[2]
Wisconsin on map
3. Margarine was prohibited
Wisconsin prohibited the sale and use of margarine starting from 1895 to 1967. Although the ban has since been lifted, there are still some restrictions that remain on margarine. Today, it is still illegal for restaurants to serve their customers margarine in place of butter unless the customer requests for it.[3]
4. The state’s name comes from
The Wisconsin River is said to be the name behind the state’s name. The river used to be referred to as Meskousing by the aboriginal Algonquian-speaking tribes. Jacques Marquette, a French explorer, first recorded the name in 1673. With time, the word turned into Ouisconsin, Wiskonsan before it finally took the current spelling and pronunciation forms. Linguists suspect the original name could have been taken from a Miami word “meskonsing” which loosely translates to “this river meanders through something red” or “it lies red. This likely refers to the sandstone formations found in the river.[15]
5. The first rural free delivery of mail
The first rural free delivery of mail in Wisconsin began in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1896. However, the first free rural delivery in the United States began in Charles Town, Halltown, and Uvilla in West Virginia, on October 1, 1896. West Virginia was the home state of the then postmaster general William Lyne Wilson. In this day and age of electronic communication, where communicating a message to someone takes a few seconds, this is a fascinating fact about Wisconsin for the traditional mail lovers.
6. The largest woolly mammoth
The largest woolly mammal to have ever been excavated was discovered in Kenosha. Today Milwaukee Public Museum has a replica of this which you can watch at any time.[11]
7. Its highest natural point
There are no tall physical features in Wisconsin. The fact that the highest natural point in the state is a hill and not a mountain says a lot about it. Timm’s Hill has a height of 1,951 feet. Because Wisconsin has mostly glaciated terrain, it doesn’t boast many craggy peaks. To make up for leveling the landscape, glaciations have left behind some of the most breathtaking valleys, prairies, fertile farm fields, and rolling hills. Timm’s Hill can be found on Highway 13 close to Ogema. Entry is free for all.[9]
8. Cranberries and sweet corn
Famed for her dairy production, Wisconsin is the no.1 exporter of cranberries, sweet corn, ginseng, and second-largest exporter of whey in the United States.[17]
9. Dairy products are produced in plenty
Wisconsin is America’s undisputed Dairy land. It is the no.1 producer of cheese in the US, and ranks second in terms of the best milk producers. 90% of milk originating from Wisconsin is used for making cheese. Wisconsin boasts the largest dairy cattle per square kilometer than any other state. Unsurprisingly, Wisconsin is the only American state offering a Master Cheese maker program.[13,4]
10. Belmont and then Madison
Madison was not the original capital of the state. Rather, the original was Belmont. It was founded in 1836 at the time that Wisconsin wasn’t a state yet but a territory. There is a historic park to the western side of Belmont Mound State Park where you can see a lodging house and Council House for the legislators at that time.
11. The oldest city
Green Bay is Wisconsin’s oldest city. Most people think it is Milwaukee or Madison but clearly neither of these is. Green Bay can be traced to a French explorer by the name of Jean Nicolet who began a small trading shop way back in 1634.[8]
12. The busiest control tower on earth
Oshkosh, a small town found on Lake Winnebago to the Northwest of Milwaukee, is prominent for two things: the first is its popular line of children’s clothing, and secondly, the integral place it occupies on the world’s air show circuit. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, which is the largest meeting of aviators in the world, has, since 1970, been held right here every summer. During the event, which takes one week, the Oshkosh control tower is the busiest on earth as close to 15,000 aircrafts land at the airport, plus approximately 500,000 visitors. All of these come here to get a glimpse of the thrilling aerobatic displays and flybys from contemporary and vintage military aircraft.[7]
13. Have fun in water parks
The Wisconsin Dells boasts the most number of water parks in a single area in the whole world.[19]
14. Lakes and lakes and lakes
Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes and 13,500 miles (21,700 kilometers) of navigable streams and rivers. Almost 3 percent of Wisconsin’s area—nearly a million acres (405,000 hectares)—is lakes.[6]
15. One of the largest museums in the US
The Milwaukee Art Museum, abbreviated as MAM, contains close to 30,000 works of art, and is among the largest museums to be found in the US. It used to be partially housed in a structure designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957 as a war memorial. Right from the start, the 2 lower floors were designated for art gallery use. The museum sees more than 400,000 visitors a year.[10]
16. House on the Rock
The widely celebrated House on the Rock, located between Spring Green and Dodgeville cities, is a tourist attraction that was opened in 1959. It consists of architecturally discrete rooms, gardens, shops, and streets, and was designed by Jordan Alex Jr. It sits atop Deer Shelter Rock, which is a rock column approximately 18x21x61(meters).
17. The Wizard of Waukesha
The electric guitar you see today is popular, thanks to Les Paul, a Wisconsinite. Paul’s exploits and contributions in guitar playing were to earn him a nickname of Wizard of Waukesha. His legacy continues to live on especially with contemporary interpretations of Gibson Les Paul. More companies have followed the fray with Les Paul’s replicas paying homage to the signature design of this guitar maestro.[18]
18. The Harley Davidson story
William Harley and the Davidson brothers (Walter and Arthur) build their first motorcycle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[29]
19. Electricity from water
In 1882 the first hydroelectric plant in the world was built at Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. China, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Russia are the five largest producers of hydropower. If you are a renewable energy enthusiast, this is one of the Wisconsin facts that you can share with your friends and family.[28]
20. The World’s Largest Six-Pack
The World’s Largest Six-Pack is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is a collection of six giant beer cans that are each over seven feet tall. The World’s Largest Six-Pack was created by the City of La Crosse and the La Crosse Brewing Company as a way to promote the city’s brewing industry. It is a popular tourist destination.
21. The first successful mass produced snowmobile
The first successful snowmobile was invented by Carl Eliason in Sayner, Wisconsin in 1924.
22. The first snowplow in the U.S.
The first snowplow in the United States was used in Wisconsin in 1847.
23. Sputnik’s crash site
The Sputnik satellite crashed in a farm field near Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1962.
24. Beautiful buildings
Some of the most popular attractions of Wisconsin are the buildings that were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This was a native of Wisconsin and one of its most ever prominent citizens.[5]
25. The largest scrap metal sculpture
Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron is a massive sculpture located in North Freedom, Wisconsin. The sculpture is made up of scrap metal and other materials, and it stands at over 120 feet tall. Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron is the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world, and it is truly a sight to behold.
26. The first American Girl doll
The first American Girl doll was created in Middleton, Wisconsin in 1986.
27. Aviation experiments
The largest experimental aviation event in the world is the EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh.[30]
28. Wisconsin was acquired from France by the US
The French came to Wisconsin and conquered the fur trade. They used to take beaver furs to Europe where they were in high demand. They controlled Wisconsin until 1783 during the Treaty of Paris. Virginia and Massachusetts originally claimed Wisconsin before becoming an independent state.[16]
29. Gave Birth to the Republican Party
It was in Ripon, Wisconsin that the Republican Party was founded. The idea of the party was conceived during a meeting held at the Little White Schoolhouse on March 20, 1854. The main reason for forming the party was to fight slavery. Republican party supporters, this is a fact about Wisconsin you can boast of.[12]
30. Produced the first-ever Ice Cream Sundae
In the 1800s, Ed Bermers was the proprietor of a soda fountain shop in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. At the time, serving soda on Sunday was illegal for religious reasons. A customer by the name George Hallauer came to the shop one Sunday. He wanted a dish of ice cream. He asked to try the sauce on top used for ice cream sodas. That was the birth of the first ice cream sundae, and it cost just a nickel. Today, you can visit the Washington House of Museum located in Two Rivers for an imitation of Bremer’s ice cream.[26]
31. Rope Jump Capital of the World
In 1960, Wally Mohrman invented the rope jump. He was thinking of a winter activity that kids could play. He designed it in a way that kids from grade I to middle school would contend to see who managed to jump a rope most in 10 seconds. It was after this that rope jumping gained world fame. Subsequently, Bloomer got the name of the world’s Rope Jumping Capital.[14]
32. The First-Ever Kindergarten in the US
Margarethe Schurz, the wife to Carl Schurz, a celebrated German-American statesman, started the first Kindergarten in America. Mrs. Schurz, a German native, learnt about the kindergarten principles from Friedrich Froebel, a fellow German, who created it. In 1856 when the couple moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, she started a kindergarten class in their abode. It later became an integral part of the American public school system. Among many other Wisconsin facts, this surely will win the hearts of the teachers and kids alike.[27]
33. Tons of effigy mounds
Effigy mounds are a common sight in Wisconsin. These raised earth piles were built in the shape of a symbol, animal or other figures. Although Native Americans built them throughout the country, it’s in Wisconsin that they are most common.[20]
34. First Successful Typewriter
Just like what happens with most other inventions, it took the effort of many people to create the typewriter. It is estimated that there were 52 designs before the modern typewriter was arrived at. The first commercially viable typewriter was created in 1868, and at the heart of it was a Wisconsinite named Christopher Latham Sholes. A newspaper printer and editor, Christopher Latham invented the QWERTY keyboard that’s used to date in computers and phones. Therefore, a standard on how we type today was created by a Wisconsinite.[21,22]
35. A Hideaway for many gangsters
Wisconsin isn’t just known for all the nice things. It also has a history of gangsters. They used to like Waukesha County a lot, specifically Oconomowoc. Some notable members included John Dillinger, Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson, and Bugs Moran.[25]
36. One of the world’s largest MUSKIE
One of the world’s largest MUSKIE (freshwater fish) ever caught was caught in Wisconsin in 1949. This fish weighed 69 pounds 11 ounces and was 5 feet and 3 and 1/2 inches long!
37. Milwaukee hosts the largest music festival in the world
The Summerfest, held in Milwaukee, attracts some 1 million visitors every year. This made the event to be recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest music festival in the world.[23]
38. Here cars coast uphill
Gravity Hill in Wisconsin is a spot where cars coast uphill. The Gravity Hill legend has been around for years. The Gravity Hill is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
There are many theories about how the Gravity Hill came to be. Some say that it is the result of a magnetic field, while others claim it is an optical illusion. Whatever the case may be, the Gravity Hill is a fascinating phenomenon that continues to baffle people to this day. If you’re ever in Wisconsin, be sure to check out the Gravity Hill for yourself!
39. The first jukebox
The first jukebox was invented and built in Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1889 by Louis Glass and William S. Arnold.
40. The first workman’s compensation
While Wisconsin created the first workman’s compensation and unemployment insurance programs, they’ve been more recently associated with the welfare reform movement.[24]
41. Rare white Buffalo
On August 20, 1994, a white buffalo calf called Miracle was born on a farm in Janesville, Wisconsin. She is believed to be the first white buffalo calf born since 1933.[31]
42. The Wisconsin Statue
At the highest point of Capitol building is a statue that honors the Greek goddess. The outstretched arm of the figure symbolizes the Forward motto. People often mistake it as the Forward statue but it is actually named Wisconsin.
43. Oldest and Highest Lighthouse on the Great Lakes
The Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine is the tallest tower still standing on Wisconsin’s Great Lakes. It was constructed in 1880. The tower rises 112 feet over the waters.
44. Fox Trot Trail, Appleton
The famous Fox Trot Trail takes you through the riverfront and downtown of Appleton. You can start the adventure at the Houdini Plaza and follow the fox symbol. Expect scenic views of Fox River and numerous historic sites.
45. The Spring City
Waukesha is renowned for natural springs and has plenty of resorts for tourists. The springs started gaining popularity in the 19th Century. Some were said to have medicinal properties. There is a beautiful park to see with spectacular floral gardens on the Fox River.
46. The Highest Number of Water Parks in a Single Place
Wisconsin Dells has one of the biggest water parks in the US. This is none other than the Noah’s Ark Water Park. There are over 10 water parks, both indoor and outdoor with millions of water gallons when combined. Water slides exceed 200 in number.
47. Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire offers children an opportunity to explore their creativity. Through interactive exhibits and plays, children can think and grow in this child-friendly environment. There is a beautiful world of water, planetarium shows, face painting, and more.
48. Where Abraham Lincoln Slept
The Lincoln-Tallman House Museum is a famous landmark located in Janesville. It was constructed in the 1850s by a lawyer who was known as William Tallman. It became famous after Abraham Lincoln spent two nights there.
49. The oldest extant residence
The white Wisconsin cottage, in Green Bay, which was built in 1673, is the oldest extant residence in Wisconsin.
50. Surfing in Sheboygan
Sheboygan is commonly known by avid surfers as ‘Malibu of the Midwest.’ Freshwater surfing takes place from around September to March. The Great Lakes is one of the top surf spots with favorable geography.
51. A historic Mansion in West Allis
Douville house is a three-story building with a history spanning over a century. The nobleman Antoine Douville built the mansion in the 1880s for his son as a wedding gift. It is the oldest structure around and has been used as a nursing home.
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