Odd Wisconsin

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Amusing, Perplexing, and Unlikely Stories from Wisconsin’s Past

Erika Janik

Explore strange, bizarre, yet true stories from Wisconsin’s past that got lost to history but sit at the heart of the state as it is today.

208 pages, 5.5 x 7, 75 color and b&w photos
Paperback: $16.95 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-383-1
Ebook: $12.99 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-541-5
Publication Date: 6/18/2007

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Description

“If it’s the offbeat, the paranormal, or the downright odd that you crave, there may be no better place than Wisconsin.” So proclaims author Erika Janik in her introduction to Odd Wisconsin—and she makes a strong case as she leads us through nearly two centuries of crazy characters, bizarre events, and surprising incidents that didn’t make the official accounts of state history yet without which Wisconsin would not be the place it is today. Odd Wisconsin lowers a bucket into the depths of Wisconsin history to capture the people, places, and events that bring to light a wide array of curious fragments of forgotten lives.

Janik unearths the stories that got lost to history even though they may have made local headlines at the time. These brief glimpses into Wisconsin’s past will surprise, perplex, astonish, and otherwise connect readers with the state’s fascinating history. From “the voyageur with a hole in his side” to “pigs beneath the legislature,” Odd Wisconsin gathers 300 years of curiosities, all under the radar of traditional stories.

Author Bio

Erika Janik is an author and journalist whose work has appeared in Midwest Living, MyMidwest, Wisconsin Trails, the Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Magazine of History, The Onion, and more. Originally from Redmond, Washington, she earned master's degrees in American history and journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She now lives in Concord, New Hampshire.

Wowsers, this book is a hoot and a half. . . . I’ve always thought we don’t pay enough attention to the characters in our midst. ‘Odd Wisconsin’ takes care of that deficiency and gives some attention to the funny, ironic, goofy, and sad tales of our history. It might settle a few bets, too.

George Hesselberg

Wisconsin State Journal

“With its progressive tradition and proud history, we like to imagine Wisconsin as a place of character. But we are a place of characters, too—as any statewide ballot will attest. Odd Wisconsin celebrates that nicely twisted side of our state’s face mask, from oddities to eccentricities, from heroic eagles to Confederate spies, from pigs in the legislature’s basement to the sea monster that rattled Pere Marquette, all squares in the crazy quilt that is our past.”

—Dennis McCann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“[A]n amazing collection of stories about people and things that have made this state a great place in which to live. . . . A fun book from start to finish.”

—Larry Meiller, Wisconsin Public Radio

“Dipping into the pages of Odd Wisconsin is like opening a box of your favorite chocolates—every one is a delicious treat! Gorge yourself on the whole thing, or savor them slowly, one by one. From the Scotch Giant to the smallest railroad in the world, from the rattlesnake-harvesting Sarah Hardwick to the Tarzan of Rhinelander, these odd morsels of Wisconsin’s history are pure pleasure.”

—Harriet Brown, Wisconsin Trails magazine

“If you delight in irony, novelty, and surprise, buy Odd Wisconsin. . . . It’s the kind of book that makes you eager for the next cocktail party so you can share this cool stuff.”

—David Mollenhoff, author of Madison: A History of the Formative Years

“[A] great compendium of the crazy stories and items stored in Wisconsin’s attic.”

—Susan Lampert Smith, author of Greetings from Wisconsin