Slovenians in Wisconsin
A few Slovenians arrived in Wisconsin in the 19th century, most notably Father Frederic Baraga, who ministered to the Chippewa in the La Pointe area beginning in 1835. A number of other Slovenians worked as peddlers in Chicago in the 1840s and 1850s, selling their wares in neighboring states and writing letters home that encouraged friends and family to immigrate. The greatest number of Slovenians arrived in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: around 130,000 immigrated before WWI. Most settled in urban areas, particularly the Cleveland area which boasted the largest concentration. Next in size was the Milwaukee-West Allis area with a Slovenian population of 25,000. Sheboygan followed far behind with 2,600 Slovenians. The first Slovenians came to Milwaukee around 1872 and more than half worked at the Pfister and Vogel tannery. A number of Slovenian communities were established in Wisconsin in the 19th century: Sheboygan in 1889, Cudahy in 1894, Kenosha in 1897, and Port Washington in 1899. Willard in Clark County was the only Slovenian agricultural community in Wisconsin. By 1900, 1,000 Slovenians lived in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin's Cultural Resources Study Units, Wisconsin Historical Society
Learn More
See more images, essays, newspapers and records about Slovenians in Wisconsin.
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.