History of Lomira
Lomira was first settled by the Indians in 1840. White settlers, mostly from
New York and various European countries, followed in 1843.
In the early years, stagecoaches provided transportation to Lomira on the
historic Yellowstone Road, now Highway 175. In 1871, a railroad built just
east of the original village brought more growth.
When the Village of Lomira was incorporated in 1899, it covered 530 acres
and had a population of 433. At this time, Lomira consisted of a hotel,
brewery, cigar factory, general store, drugstore, fish hatchery, furniture
factory, shoe factory, blacksmith shop, campground, and hat shop. Unfortunately,
most of these businesses ceased operations during the Great Depression.
As part of Wisconsin's dairy land, Lomira's economy has always been strongly
linked to agricultural industries. The area has an abundance of surface waters,
numerous wildlife refuges and preserves, and excellent hunting and fishing.
The early history of the Village of Lomira is
closely interwoven with the town in which it is located, Lomira (town),
Wisconsin Town of Lomira. The settlement of Lomira likely began with the
migration of Indians. History stories suggest that the son of Black Hawk (chief)
Chief Blackhawk camped in this vicinity, probably about 1840, while blazing a
trail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee, 60 miles south, to Green Bay,
Wisconsin Green Bay, 120 miles north.
Stories told through the generations report that in the earlier days of Indian
settlement, the village was called Springfield. Possibly this name derived from
the existence of a natural spring in the midst of lucious farmland.
There first record of a settlement is in 1849 at which time the name of Lomira
was adopted. The first United States Postal ServicePost Office was established
on 11 May 1849. Oral stories passed down offer two accounts for selecting the
name of Lomira for this settlement. One story suggests that the name originates
from the low land area around the village. Combining "Lo" with the mire and mud
of the area created the name Lomira. The second story relates that an early
family named Schoonover had a daughter named Elmira who was well known in the
settlement. The spelling of Elmira's name influenced the settled upon village
name of Lomira. Possibly, the name evolved due to aspects of both stories.
A petition for incorporation of the Village of Lomira was made to the circuit
court of Dodge County, Wisconsin Dodge County on 24 March 1899. The petition
described the designated territory of population "433 residents" as "containing
a large number of stores, saloons, residences, elevators, hotels, blacksmith
shops, cheese factory, planning mill and other places of business, and that the
same is a railroad station." Copies of the petition were posted in the saloon of
F. Kauper, the saloon of Peter Greiten, and in the store and office of Peter
Wolf, "all of which said places are public places." Petitioners presented the
incorporation order at a special term of the circuit court held in the city of
Waukesha, WisconsinWaukesha, Wisconsin on 9 May 1899. Records of the public
election on 3 June 1899 show 104 ballots were cast, of which 58 were cast for
incorporation and 45 against.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomira%2C_Wisconsin
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