Swiss in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Swiss in Wisconsin

Swiss in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Historical Society
Dictionary of Wisconsin History.

 

Although the Swiss arrived in Wisconsin throughout the 19th century, the most significant period of immigration occured before 1870. Between 1850 and 1860, the Swiss population tripled from 1,244 to 4,722.  In 1870, there were 6, 069.  The number of Swiss peaked in 1910 at 8,036. Most settled in small towns although a sizable Swiss neighborhood did exist in Milwaukee. Dane, Rock, Iowa, and Lafayette counties were known as the heartland of Swiss settlement in Wisconsin and bore the nickname "Swissconsin."

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