Oshkosh Area

About Oshkosh Area

Oshkosh is surrounded by the Fox River and Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County, which is in Northeast Wisconsin on the western border of Lake Winnebago.

95,000 people are living in Oshkosh and the nearby areas. This area is Wisconsin's Event City, therefore, the city hosts hundreds of local, regional, national, and international events each year. The Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Museum, the Grand Opera House, and the Paine Art Center and Gardens, among other distinctive attractions, are just a few of Oshkosh's many unique attractions. These attractions provide visitors of all ages with accessible and reasonably priced cultural experiences.

Along with the Wisconsin Herd, Silver Star Brands, formerly known as Miles Kimball, the Oshkosh Corporation, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and several successful enterprises call Oshkosh home.

Located 900 miles east of Oshkosh in the same limestone formation as Niagara Falls, Lake Winnebago is the largest freshwater lake in the state. More water is present in Winnebago County than in any other Wisconsin county. Waterways that formerly powered sawmills and transported explorers are still essential to the town, except now they are used for leisure.

History

The Menominee nation of Native Americans, which includes the city's namesake, Chief Oskosh, first colonized the Oshkosh region. In 1836, they sold the region to the United States government.

According to local legend, Webster Stanley, who migrated from Ohio to establish a ferryboat business, settled in the region as the first non-Indian settler soon after. He quickly constructed his house and opened a tavern, an inn, and a trading post. Three years later, more than 100 people were living in this neighborhood. The settlements of Brooklyn, on the south side of the Fox River, and Athens, on the north, combined and at some point took the name "Oskosh," adding an "h." The first sawmill in Oshkosh was run by Morris Firman in 1847, and it wasn't long before sawmills were lining the whole Fox River.

The Civil War, the opening of the railroad, and the great Chicago fire of 1871 all contributed to the boom of Oshkosh's lumber industry. Oshkosh sawmills provided a significant portion of the lumber utilized in the reconstruction of Chicago. By 1873, Oshkosh had 24 sawmills, 15 shingle mills, and seven sash and door firms operating, earning it the moniker "Sawdust City."

How to Spend Your Time in Oshkosh

The area's lakes, rivers, and trails offer year-round chances for outdoor exploration, and the vibrant downtown area has a big-city vibe in a small-city environment. Stay for everything else and come for the festivities.

Both historic and new facilities in Oshkosh have interesting exhibits and a great performing arts culture. Year-round activities include anything from farmer's markets, gallery tours, and dinner plays to world-famous air shows and major music festivals.

Every day of the week, the city is alive with family-friendly entertainment. Visit a zoo, ride a plane, float down a river on a paddlewheel boat, or simply satisfy your sweet tooth with some frozen custard.

Take advantage of Oshkosh's well-known Outlet Shoppes, more than 40 name-brand stores, and the distinctive boutiques in the downtown area while you shop.

Visitors can fulfill any appetite at drive-ins, supper clubs, waterfront eateries, breweries, vineyards, and chocolate shops. You may discover live music virtually every night of the week in downtown Oshkosh if you're looking for an enjoyable evening to go along with a delicious meal.

Oshkosh offers the best adventures!