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Oconomowoc, WI

Frequently asked questions

Oconomowoc, WI

Oconomowoc is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The name was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the Potawatomi term for "waterfall." The population was 18,203 at the 2020 census. The city is partially adjacent to the Town of Oconomowoc and near the village of Oconomowoc Lake, Wisconsin.

Oconomowoc is located at 43°6′31″N 88°29′49″W (43.108814, −88.497019). It is located in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.18 square miles (31.55 km²), of which 11.54 square miles (29.89 km²) is land and 0.64 square miles (1.66 km²) is water.

Before 1700, this region was inhabited by Potawatomi peoples descended from Woodland Indians known as "mound builders". There are also reports that the Sauk Indian chief Black Hawk had a campsite on Oconomowoc Lake. The first white person recorded in the area was Amable (sometimes spelled "Aumable") Vicau, brother-in-law of Solomon Juneau, one of the founders of Milwaukee. Vicau established a trading post in 1827. White settlers soon followed, beginning in 1830.

In April 1837, New York native Charles Sheldon staked a 160-acre claim on the eastern shore of what is now Fowler Lake, registering it with the Land Bank of Milwaukee on April 21, 1837. A few days later, H.W. Blanchard acquired a claim adjacent to that of Sheldon on the other side of the lake, which he later sold off to Philo Brewer. Brewer constructed what some consider to be the first residence within Oconomowoc's current legal limits, a site located at what is now 517 N. Lake Road, between La Belle and Fowler lakes. The first recorded birth was that of Eliza Jane Dewey on January 19, 1840, in the lodgings above a chair factory located at 116 N. Walnut. The first recorded death was that of Jerusha Foster, who died somewhere between the ages of 30 and 36 on March 19, 1841. Initially buried at Zion Church Point, she was eventually re-interred at Nashotah Mission.

Oconomowoc was incorporated as a town in 1844, although residents had to go to Summit to get their mail until 1845. Travel and communication links between the new town and nearby cities were quickly established. The Watertown Plank Road was extended to connect Oconomowoc to the nearby towns of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Pewaukee, and Watertown in 1850. Such infrastructure encouraged further settlement, and by 1853 the town grew to a population of 250, with ten stores, three hotels, one gristmill, and one sawmill (both located near the present Lake Road bridge), and a schoolhouse. The first passenger train from Milwaukee arrived in Oconomowoc on December 14, 1854, as part of the Milwaukee and Watertown Railroad Company's rapidly expanding Milwaukee & Mississippi line.

Health and wellness are paramount in Oconomowoc, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Oconomowoc Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Parker's Place Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Wisconsin Fitness Company. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Oconomowoc, such as the Ice Age Trail: Waterville Segment and Nature Hill Perimeter Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Oconomowoc, WI, are the Oconomowoc Historical Museum, The Children's Play Gallery, and Imagination Station.

Population: 18,203 (2020). Elevation: 906 feet (276 meters). Area: 18.48 square miles (47.85 km²). ZIP Code: 53066. Area code: 262.

FAQs

What is Oconomowoc, WI known for?

The museum’s Streets of Old Gallery features displays of a turn-of-the-century Victorian home, dentist office, barbershop, print shop, medical clinic, bank, and John S. Rockwell’s general store. Ole Evinrude, an Oconomowoc resident who invented the outboard boat motor in 1907, is the focus of an exhibit of early boat motors. Another Oconomowoc claim to fame is its setting for the 1939 premier showing of the movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” 

How did Oconomowoc, WI get its name?

Oconomowoc was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk. This was the Pottawatomie term for distinguishing a waterfall in the vicinity. "Beaver dam," although one of the joking interpretations has been "I-can-no-mo'-walk. Oconomowog is an Algic, not a Chippewa word.

Is Oconomowoc, WI a good place to live?

Oconomowoc is in Waukesha County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin. Living in Oconomowoc offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Oconomowoc, there are a lot of bars and parks.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Oconomowoc 

ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital 

Oconomowoc Parks and Recreation Department 

Parker's Place Fitness

Anytime Fitness 

Wisconsin Fitness Company

Ice Age Trail: Waterville Segment 

Nature Hill Perimeter Loop

Oconomowoc Historical Museum 

The Children's Play Gallery 

Imagination Station

Wisconsin History

Niche

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