Turning Points
in Wisconsin History
Development of the Railroads
Though the actual construction and operation of railroads did not take place until after Wisconsin became a state, railroads were one of the most widely discussed subjects among territorial officials and businessmen. Seeking to connect the lead mines of the southwest with ships on Lake Michigan, the legislative council of Michigan petitioned Congress to make an appropriation to survey a proposed line from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. Settlements along the Mississippi River competed to be named the western terminus, while Milwaukee fought back competitors from Sheboygan, Green Bay, Racine, Southport, and even Chicago.
In the fall of 1836,... more...
Original Documents and Other Primary Sources
 | A man recollects the development of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad |
 | A guide to the origins and evolution of Wisconsin's railroads. |
| A travel guide to healthful resorts in the upper Midwest, 1875 |
| Folklore and folktales collected by Charles E. Brown |
| Descriptions of Wisconsin disasters and catastrophes, 1848-1948 |
| A concise history of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad to 1899 |
 | 4000 historic pictures of trains and railroads |
| An Austrian painter depicts Wisconsin in the 1850s |
 | The 1857 diary of railroad surveyor Andrew M. Davis. |
| Milwaukee residents urge citizens to support railroads in 1857 |
| A German immigrant describes coming to Wisconsin. |
| An Austrian painter describes sketches made while traveling Wisconsin, 1856-1860 |
 | The first railroad lines are advertised on a map. |
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