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Water Street Bridge, 1989

Water Street Bridge over the Waupaca River in the city of Waupaca. View the original source document: WHI 59553

Waupaca is located near the Chain of Lakes in northeastern Wisconsin in Waupaca County. Waupaca takes its name from a river whose Native American appellation has been variously interpreted as "white sand bottom," "pale water" or "tomorrow river."

White settlers were first drawn to the area for its river and the power it could provide. As a result, gristmills and sawmills were soon built and played a major role in the area's early development.

The settlement grew quickly. Unlike many other Wisconsin towns that were dominated by Germans, Waupaca drew a large Scandinavian population, particularly Danes.

Potato farming became a major industry in the late 19th century. The arrival of the train in 1871 only helped the industry, giving farmers a market for their plentiful potato crops. By the turn of the 20th century, Waupaca led the nation in the shipment of potatoes.

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Waupaca, Wisconsin

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Source: WHS Library-Archives Staff, 2009