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In 1836, Oshkosh’s first settler, Webster Stanley, migrated from Ohio, building his home and establishing a trading post, a tavern and an inn. Three years later, the area became home to over 100 people. In 1847, Morris Firman built the first sawmill in Oshkosh and within several years, sawmills lined the Fox River. The Great Chicago fire of 1871 created a boom in Oshkosh’s lumber trade. The structures in the city’s historic areas are a result of the capital and materials generated by the lumber industries. The 1859 arrival of rail transportation provided an opportunity to meet the demands of a rapidly growing construction market, any by 1870, Oshkosh had become the third largest city in the state.Today, Oshkosh has an abundance of sites and sounds for visitors to enjoy on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. The waterways that once provided transportation and power are now a vital part of the recreational community. Oshkosh continues to grow and thrive with its greatest asset-the people who make this a great place to live, work and visit. • Oshkosh Main Page |