Search results
People also ask
What are some fun facts about Wisconsin?
What is Wisconsin known for?
Why is Wisconsin a good state?
How many people live in Wisconsin?
Jan 16, 2023 · Whether you want some Wisconsin fun facts to use for a project or you want to impress people with your knowledge of the Badger State, we’ve put together some facts about Wisconsin that cover everything from weird laws to natural wonder to strange history.
- Wisconsin Fun Facts
- Interesting Facts About Wisconsin
- Cool Facts About Wisconsin
- Wisconsin History Facts
- Weird Facts About Wisconsin
- Random Facts About Wisconsin
- In Summary
It was the 30th state
To start this list of fun Wisconsin facts, you should learn when it joined the United States. In 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th statein the Union. From 1836 until its statehood, Wisconsin was known as the "Wisconsin Territory." Before that, it was owned by the French and the British, respectively.
The Circus World Museum has hosted live performances since 1959
Visiting the circus used to be a tradition for families all over America. Not many people know that one-half of the most famous circus in the United States, the Ringling Brothers of the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows, started in Wisconsin. The Ringling Brothers started out as a circus in 1884 at Baraboo. Later on, colleagues of the Ringling Brothers eventually came together to build the Circus World Museumat the same place where the Ringling Bros Circus once stood. Since i...
The ice cream sundae might have been invented here
Ice cream sundaes are a staple dessert around the country, but they have their roots in the Midwest. Though the exact place where this sweet treat was invented is a mystery, many believe the first sundae was served in Two Rivers, WI. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society'srecords, Edward C. Berner, an ice cream shop owner, served the first sundae in 1881. However, credit for the dessert's creation actually goes to the customer who asked for chocolate sauce topping on his ice cream.
Lake Michigan touches the state
Wisconsin touches two of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Altogether, this Midwest state has over 800 miles of shoreline. The Great Lakes affect nearly every part of Wisconsin life. The state's weather is significantly impacted by these bodies of water. They are also a reliable water source, providing ways to get around by boat.
Devil's Lake was formed 15,000 years ago
Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's most-visited state park. The rock formations in Devil's Lake State Park make it a popular spot for climbers, and it's a treasure trove for aspiring geologists. Though the park was opened in 1911, its namesake, the lake, is much older. Over 15,000 years ago, glaciers in Wisconsin formed the Devil's Lake Gap. The glaciers carved out the land and rerouted rivers to create this body of water.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has changed
The Wisconsin Supreme Court was founded in 1848 and served as the state's "last resort" court. Initially, the court was made up of three justices. However, that soon changed. In 1877, the number of justices rose to four. This number remained for 25 years, despite multiple concerns about what to do in the case of stalemate judgments. In 1903, the number of justices increased again to seven, where it remains today.
Mt. Horeb is the troll capital
Since many people who call Wisconsin home have Scandinavian roots, traditions from northern Europe have become part of the state's culture. One of these is the presence of trolls. Mt. Horeb has even been dubbed the "Troll Capital of the World". Many of the town's artisans are experts at crafting troll figurines and artwork they export worldwide.
There's a Hamburger Hall of Fame
Seymour, Wisconsin, is a small, quiet town. However, this little place has a potentially large claim to food history. The Seymour Community Historical Society claims that the first hamburger in America was invented in their town. There's no indisputable evidence for this, but that hasn't stopped the city from opening the Hamburger Hall of Fame in the Seymour Community Museum.
The House on the Rock is a marvel
Today, the House on the Rockis a tourist attraction full of eclectic and eccentric collections. You can see replicas of the British Crown Jewels, dollhouses, and even the world's largest indoor carousel. Even before it became the museum it is today, the structure was considered an architectural marvel. Construction began in 1945 on the Deer Shelter Rock cliff. One of the most impressive aspects of the building is the "Infinity Room," which extends 218 feet over the cliff's edge.
French explorer Jean Nicolet was the first European in Wisconsin
A list of Wisconsin history facts should pay homage to the first settlers in the state. Jean Nicoletis credited as being the first European to set foot in the territory. According to records, he arrived in modern-day Wisconsin in 1634 while exploring the new world for France. Less than 40 years later, the French would be the first to claim the land.
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born here
Laura Ingalls Wilder's books and the subsequent television series have shaped children's minds for decades. Her Little House on the Prairiebooks are mostly biographical and depict her life on the frontier. Though she's often associated with Minnesota, she spent the first few years of her life in a small home in Pepin, Wisconsin. Her life in the woods north of Pepin is detailed in her first book.
The Wisconsin Historical Society is the USA's oldest
The Wisconsin Historical Society is responsible for researching, interpreting, and preserving the state's history. Its work has helped Wisconsin residents, leaders, and people nationwide due to its comprehensive records. The society was founded in 1846and was officially chartered less than a decade later. Today, it's the oldest state historical society to continuously receive state funding.
Green Bay was the toilet paper capital
In 1920, Green Bay became famous for an unconventional reason. Around the globe, it became known as the "Toilet Paper Capital of the World". This moniker isn't due to any particularly high consumption rate. Nearly 20 years earlier, the Northern Paper Mills company was founded in the city. Over time, it became the largest producer of toilet paper.
The state banned margarine
Margarine is a butter substitute spread made from either animal or plant fats. It's often softer than butter, and it's usually considered a healthier alternative. To protect dairy farmers from losing their business, Wisconsin banned the sale of margarinewithin the state for over 70 years. In 1967, the "margarine ban" was lifted, but it can't be used as a substitute in restaurants unless it's specifically requested.
Sputnik landed in Wisconsin
In 1960, Russia launched the Sputnik IV satellite. After two weeks, it was supposed to re-enter the atmosphere and land. Due to a technical error, Sputnik stayed in orbit for over two years. In 1962, it fell within Earth's gravitational pull. Most of the craft burned up during re-entry. However, what remained landed in Manitowoc, WI.
A lot of cranberries grow here
Wisconsin isn't just the nation's leading cheese producer; it's also the state that grows the most cranberries. Of all the cranberries sold in the US, 60% are from this region. Typically, cranberries are grown in central and northern Wisconsin. There are more wetlands in these areas, which facilitate the fruit's growth.
Houdini lived in Appleton
Before he became the famed magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini went by the name Erik Weisz. He came from a humble Hungarian family in Budapest. When he was four, Weisz's family moved to the United States. His father was offered a job as a rabbi at a synagogue in Appleton, Wisconsin. Though he only lived in Wisconsin for a few years, he always referred to Appleton as his hometown.
Temperatures dip way below zero
You don't need to brush up on Wisconsin facts about the state to know it gets cold there. However, you might not realize just how low the temperatures can get. The lowest temperature on record in the state is -55 degrees, which occurred in February 1996. The highest temperature was recorded in 1936, and it was 114 degrees.
That's the list! Did you learn anything new? You may have known that Wisconsinis a huge dairy producer. But you probably didn't know that it used to be the "Toilet Paper Capital of the World." Hopefully, this list has helped inspire you to plan a trip to this little corner of the Midwest. There are plenty more cool and historic Wisconsin facts to k...
- Wisconsin gets its name from the Wisconsin River, which was called Meskousing by the region’s Algonquian-speaking tribes.The first European explorer to reach the Wisconsin River was Frenchman Jacques Marquette, who recorded the name in 1673.
- Wisconsin's official nickname is "The Badger State,” but not because the state's forests are teeming with the fuzzy woodland creatures. In the early 19th century, lead was discovered in the tiny town of Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
- Another unofficial nickname for Wisconsin is “America’s Dairyland.” As of 2015, the state had a total of 10,290 licensed dairy farms. Together, they produced 13.5 percent of the nation’s milk and 25.4 percent of its cheese.
- Thanks to its fertile farmland, Wisconsin’s agriculture industry generated $88.3 billion in economic activity in 2014. The state grows 60 percent of the nation’s cranberry crops, as well as a whopping 97 percent of its ginseng.
220 Weird Facts About Wisconsin You Didn't Know. The first circus in the US was in Delavan, Wisconsin. The state flower of Wisconsin is the wood violet. The state insect of Wisconsin is the Western honey bee. The state tree of Wisconsin is the sugar maple. The state fish of Wisconsin is the muskellunge.
- Raman Saini
- Wisconsin Is the 30th to Join the US. Let’s start with one of the historical fun facts about Wisconsin. Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the Union on May 29, 1848.
- Milwaukee Is the Biggest City in Wisconsin. Here’s one of the basic fun facts about Wisconsin. As per the population statistics of 2023, Milwaukee is the most populous city in Wisconsin with a total population of 555,640.
- Madison Is the Capital of Wisconsin. Milwaukee is the most populous and popular city in Wisconsin, but it’s not the state’s capital. Instead, Madison was named the capital of Wisconsin on November 28, 1836.
- The Badger State Is the Nickname of Wisconsin. Let’s discuss some nickname-related facts about Wisconsin. One of the most popular nicknames of Wisconsin is “The Badger State.”
Nov 23, 2023 · Wisconsin joined the USA on May 29, 1848. Also known as the Cheese State, the area has been inhabited for over 12,000 years. Here are 15 fun facts.
50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Wisconsin State Visual Story. There are many interesting and fun facts about Wisconsin state to learn, including historical, weird...
