Known throughout the nation as the birthplace of the Republican Party, Ripon’s history includes so much more. Ripon was known in the early days as “The Prairie City” as it was located on the northern edge of the largest open prairie in Wisconsin. A massive oak tree, known as the “Signal Oak” was a landmark that could be seen for miles. The Butte des Morts Native American trail crossed through Ripon on its way from Green Lake to Oshkosh. This prairie area which had a creek for waterpower, trees for building and land vast enough to establish farming, became what we now know as Ripon.
The earliest settlers to Ripon were Northerners from New York and New England. First came the Wisconsin Phalanx and their Ceresco settlement which was later absorbed into Ripon. The next arrivals were speculators purchasing tracts of land at a low cost for development. That led to a migration of others to this area.
The Ripon Historical Society, shares and preserves the stories and artifacts from the earliest settlers to life in Ripon today. We invite you to learn about Ripon’s captivating history.
As one of the first historical societies in the State of Wisconsin, the Ripon Historical Society is well established. In 1899, out of a concern to preserve the early history and development of Ripon and the Wisconsin Phalanx, the Ripon Historical Society was founded. Its charter members branched out to gather historical records and artifacts wherever possible and to write the stories of the prominent men, women and events before all recollections were gone or forgotten.
Known throughout the nation as the birthplace of the Republican Party, Ripon’s history includes so much more. Ripon was known in the early days as “The Prairie City” as it was located on the northern edge of the largest open prairie in Wisconsin. A massive oak tree, known as the “Signal Oak” was a landmark that could be seen for miles. The Butte des Morts Native American trail crossed through Ripon on its way from Green Lake to Oshkosh. This prairie area which had a creek for waterpower, trees for building and land vast enough to establish farming, became what we now know as Ripon.
The earliest settlers to Ripon were Northerners from New York and New England. First came the Wisconsin Phalanx and their Ceresco settlement which was later absorbed into Ripon. The next arrivals were speculators purchasing tracts of land at a low cost for development. That led to a migration of others to this area.
The Ripon Historical Society, shares and preserves the stories and artifacts from the earliest settlers to life in Ripon today. We invite you to learn about Ripon’s captivating history.
As one of the first historical societies in the State of Wisconsin, the Ripon Historical Society is well established. In 1899, out of a concern to preserve the early history and development of Ripon and the Wisconsin Phalanx, the Ripon Historical Society was founded. Its charter members branched out to gather historical records and artifacts wherever possible and to write the stories of the prominent men, women and events before all recollections were gone or forgotten.
