The History of Waukesha, WI

The city of Waukesha is located in the center of Waukesha County in southeastern Wisconsin, 18 miles west of Milwaukee. Originally founded as a small community named Prairieville in the 1830’s, Waukesha quickly grew in prominence as the seat of the newly formed Waukesha County in 1846. Although there is some debate as to the origin of the name, “Waukesha” is widely believed to mean “fox” or “little foxes” in the language of a local Native tribe, but there is strong evidence to suggest that “Waukesha” was actually derived from the name of the leader of that tribe, Waagoshag in Ojibwe, or Wau-tsha in Potawatomi. Nevertheless, the fox remains a prevalent theme in the area with landmarks such as Fox River and Fox Lake.

In its early years, Waukesha prospered as a diverse mix of merchants and farmers arrived in the area and a true town identity began to develop. A unique feature of the region was the clean and pure water springs that dotted the landscape. In 1868, Col. Richard Dunbar, a Civil War veteran and sufferer of Diabetes Mellitus, drank some spring water while out walking with his sister-in-law. Immediately afterwards, he felt revitalized and believed that the water possessed healing powers. Dunbar then decided to publicize Waukesha’s natural resource as the Bethesda Mineral Spring, marketing the area as a “spa resort.” As Waukesha’s reputation spread it came to be known as “Spring City” and “Saratoga of the West,” and several large resorts and hotels, such as the grand Fountain Spring House, were built to accommodate the area’s flood of visitors, many of which were members of America’s wealthy elite. Although a majority of the springs that were present in the early 1900’s have since dried up or become contaminated by emissions and other pollutants, Waukesha still cherishes its fascinating and extravagant history through the preservation of its spa era landmarks and the remaining springs.

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