Beaver Dam is located between Madison and Fond du Lac in Dodge County. As the name suggests, the site of the town is of an old beaver dam and many beavers lived in the stream that flows into Beaver Dam River.

In 1841, the first dam was constructed on the Beaver Dam River, which was crucial in the town's early development, providing waterpower for mills and helping to attract more settlers. Mackie was soon joined by Jacob and Paul Brower, Abraham Ackermann, and their families to tame this section of Wisconsin wilderness.

Beaver Dam was first settled by Thomas Mackie and Joseph Goetschius in 1841; by 1843, it had a population of almost 100. The city was named for an old beaver dam located in a stream flowing into Beaver Dam River. [6] . The area had also been …

The Dodge County Historical Society, an affiliate of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, was formed in 1938, for the preservation of articles pertaining to pioneer days and to the early history of Beaver Dam. Mr. Joseph Hoyt was selected as the first president.

The dodge County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation, advancement and dissemination of the knowledge and history of Dodge County Wisconsin, and Beaver Dam. The museum is located in the former Williams Free Library, founded in 1890 by John J. Williams, a prominent citizen of Beaver Dam.

Beaver Dam Lake – History & Overview In the late 1800’s dams were constructed on the river running through Beaver Dam to provide power for sawmills. Flooding destroyed the original dams which were rebuilt and provided power for flour and woolen mills.

The Historical Room has a wealth of information on local and family history from Fox Lake and surrounding areas, including photos, tax records, resident scrapbooks, family files, and much more. Researchers are urged to contact the library to make appointments to do research.

Jul 14, 2012 · Beaver Dam Genealogy and Local History 1. Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: the Garden City. (Bird's eye view of the city of Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., Wisconsin 1867. Drawn by A. Ruger.)

Sep 29, 2024 · The Dodge County Historical Society is located in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Dodge County. The society was founded in 1961 and has since collected a vast array of artifacts, documents, and photographs that help tell...

The Beaver Dam and Dodge County local history books are located in the Genealogy and Local History Area in the Reference Department. Books available for checkout will have the call number listed. Some books are linked to access the online version. The history of the Town of Ashippun, 1844-1994. Compiled by the Ashippun Historical Committee. 1994.