PRE-STATEHOOD Waterford was first settled by the Paleo Indians, the Archaic Indians and the Woodland Indians. Effigy mounds, used by the Woodland Indians, are found in serval locations in the area "Tischargan," meaning "home of the dead." The name was a reference to the effigy mounds and burial grounds in the area. The Potawatomi settlement became known as Tichigan. One could say that Waterford got its name because it was a great place to cross the Fox River (at a narrow part where Main St. now runs one could easily "ford the water"). The Fox River has helped make this area attractive to settlers, noted as early as 1833, when the Potawatomi tribe ceded the land to the U.S. Government. The Waterford area saw its first non-Indian settlers in the mid-1830’s. In 1838 Levi Barnes and Samuel Chapman obtained waterpower rights to the Fox River. They built a dam and later a sawmill and flourmill. This was the nucleus of the village of Waterford. In about 1845 surveying was done. The English-speaking settlers lived on the west side of the river and the German-speaking settlers lived on the east. In the late 1800s, Waterford was the commercial center for the surrounding agricultural area. In 1898, a fire started in the basement of Louis Noll’s general store on the site where the Ten Club Park band shell now stands. Most of the buildings on the south side of Main Street were destroyed. WATERFORD, WISCONSIN, 1923 Waterford, the largest and most prosperous village in western Racine county, Wisconsin, is located in the Fox river valley – the center of a rich farming community – one of the garden spots of the world. The population is today (1923) about seven hundred, largely native born Americans with a large percentage of German ancestry. The thrifty and industrious habits for which the people of German blood are noted are much in evidence. The result is that there is no poverty. Practically everyone owns his own home. Many homes have been in possession of the same family for three, and in some cases, four generations. It is a portion of the territory ceded to the United States government by the treaty of 1833 with the Potawatomi and other Indian tribes. By the terms of the treaty, the Indians were to remain in possession of this land until 1836. It was in the fall of that year that two white men – Levi Barnes and Samuel Chapman – come on horseback from the east and made claim to the greater part of what is now Waterford. Their families and other settlers soon followed and in a short time a thriving village had grown up on the banks of the Fox. Waterford was separated from the town of Rochester, of which it was originally a part, in 1847. The village of Waterford was incorporated in January 1906. February 20, 1906, the first election of officers was held. William Shenkenberg was the first village president. Growth has been steady and many improvements have been made in the village since it’s incorporation. An artesian well furnishes the residents with pure, cool water. The M.E.R. & L. Company supplies electricity for power and light. A good sewage system has been installed. There are miles of concrete sidewalk and the main streets are paved. Concrete highways and an interurban railway connect the village of Waterford with the villages, cities, and lake resorts of Wisconsin and with the great markets of the middle west. Telephone systems give almost instant communication to the entire nation. The schools, churches and shops of Waterford are unequaled in any village its size anywhere. It is the center educationally, religiously and commercially for hundreds of farmers and their families. Fox River, whose waters clear and sparkling abound in fish of almost every variety, is one of the village's most important assets. Scores of summer cottages have been erected on its beautiful and picturesque banks. Its islands, rapidly growing famous as resorts for city dwellers, are less than a five minute walk from the post office. All the pleasures of camping, boating, fishing, hiking and other outdoor sports may be enjoyed within its boundaries. Waterford is a delightful place to spend a vacation. It is an ideal place to make a permanent home. (The above 1923 segment used with permission of the Waterford Post under guidance of David Paulsen.) H.W. HALBACH & SONS H.W. Halbach & Sons put Waterford on the map with their chickens, The Halbach Strain of White Rocks. Poultry was shipped to every state in the union, Canada, South America, South Africa and the Hawaiian Islands. Harry and Vi Halbach, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998. Harry still judges chickens. The Halbach Building is now the home of the Karate Shop on Main Street. (H.W. Halbach Brothers store front is on the right side of photo.) THE WATERFORD LIBRARY There has been library service in Waterford since the early 1920's when Hattie Henningfield started circulating books from her ice cream parlor on west Main Street. Over the years, the library moved to three other locations in the village and offered a rotating collection of books provided by the Racine Public Library. In 1965 the Village appointed a library board and in 1967 the library set up shop in half of the Waterford Village Hall. The library provided service from that location for 34 years, at which time it became necessary to move into a larger space to provide the desired level service to residents. The Waterford Public Library opened for business in its spacious new location on March 12, 2001. WATERFORD, WISCONSIN, 20TH CENTURY During the decades of the late 1800's and the early 1900's, industry began to grow in the area. Lumber, agriculture and masonry stimulated the economy. In the 20th century, Waterford has grown to a community of over 4,000 inhabitants, with a total of over 21,000 people in the five-municipality area. A 79-acre industrial park has been established, with numerous businesses locating in it. Construction on a new business park, anchored by a new Runzheimer International headquarters building which opened in the fall of 2001, has begun at the intersection of highways 36 and 164. Before the summer of 2002 is complete, Waterford's first hotel will be open. The Waterford Graded School District recently added two new elementary schools, giving it a total of three elementary schools and a middle school. Waterford High School is completing a new addition and renovation project which will allow it to hold about 1,200 students. (This section wouldn't be complete without the help of author / editor David Paulsen. Used under permission of the Waterford Post.) WATERFORD, WISCONSIN, 2003 The entire Waterford area is experiencing stellar growth patterns, with urban pressures coming from the north, the east and the south. The town and village officials continue to work tirelessly to control the growth patterns so that we can maintain our wonderful rural and recreational flavor. As it has been for more the 175 years, Waterford is truly, "a great place to come home to." (Photos courtesy of Charles Noll, Waterford Public Library, The Gin Mill and Riverview Inn Bed and Breakfast.) BACK TO TOP