Travel Oracles 50 States: Wisconsin
As part of my summer series - Travel Oracles 50 States - I am revisiting each os the fifty American states as an overview on travel culture and history. Today: Wisconsin
Joined: Wisconsin became a U.S. territory following the American Revolution and soon after began attracting settlers looking for work in its mining, lumber and dairy industries. In December 1847, a second constitutional convention was called. This convention resulted in a new, more moderate state constitution that Wisconsinites approved in a March 1848 referendum, enabling Wisconsin to become the 30th state on May 29, 1848.
Original Indigenous Peoples: The Menominee, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Potawatomi, and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago)
First Settlers: In 1634 French explorer Jean Nicolet was most likely the first European to enter what would become the state of Wisconsin. The area remained under French control until 1763, when it was acquired by the British. It was subsequently ceded to the United States by the Peace of Paris treaties in 1783.
History moment: In the years leading up to the Civil War, Wisconsin was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, with many slaves passing through the state on their way to freedom in Canada.
Known for: The state is one of the nation's leading dairy producers and is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous for its cheese. The state is also famous for its beer, particularly and historically in Milwaukee, most notably as the headquarters of the Miller Brewing Company.
Places: Milwaukee, Madison, Lake Geneva
Movie setting: Bridesmaids, Up in the Air, The Prince & Me
Musicians from: Les Paul, Steve Miller, Violent Femmes, Garbage, Bon Iver
Surprising facts: Today, Wisconsin leads the nation in dairy production and is known for the quality of its cheddar cheese–residents even sometimes refer to themselves as “cheeseheads.” Famous Wisconsinites include architect Frank Lloyd Wright, magician Harry Houdini and U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur. Wisconsin earned the nickname “Badger State,” not because of its proliferation of badgers, but because its earliest white inhabitants were itinerant lead miners who burrowed into the hills for shelter rather than waste time and resources on a more permanent structure.
Most of Wisconsin’s landscape was formed some 10,000 years ago by a great glacier that left in its wake 15,000 lakes, 12,624 rivers and streams, pristine prairies, and some of America's finest examples of glacial topography. Today this means endless opportunities for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, bird-watching, snowmobiling, skiing, and ice fishing. Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city, is a city of neighborhoods. Milwaukee's zoo and museum are among the best in the country, and there are top-notch art centers and galleries. From spring to late summer, a constant stream of lakefront festivals celebrates immigrant heritage with lively entertainment and, of course, Wisconsin's famous cheeses and beers. Madison, the state's capital, is a bustling college town that has unique boutique shopping, ethnic dining, and the continental United States’ only authentic Thai pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Let’s travel to Wisconsin
My Experience: Never been, but have met plenty of very nice people from the state. Things to do in Wisconsin
Nature: There are 2 national parks in Wisconsin and 2 National Scenic Trails: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail., Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Wisconsin is currently ranked #8 out of 50 in 2021 and was #11 in 2019.