Wisconsin - Fast Facts & Trivia

  1. Wisconsin visitors and residents enjoy the state's 7,446 streams and rivers.
    End-to-end they'd stretch 26,767 miles. That is more than enough to circle the globe at the equator.
     
  2. Wisconsin's Door County has five state parks and 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. These figures represent more than any other county in the country.
     
  3. In 1878-1879 the Wisconsin legislature approved the creation of a state park in Vilas County. The proposal was not successful and the state ended up selling two-thirds of area land to lumber interest for $8 an acre in 1897.
     
  4. In 1900 land acquisition for Wisconsin's first state park began. The park became Interstate State Park located in St. Croix Falls.
     
  5. Devil's Lake was established in 1911. The facility has become one of Wisconsin's oldest and most famous state parks. It leads the state parks in attendance.
     
  6. The House on the Rock was designed and built in the early 1940s. It is considered an architectural marvel and is perched on a 60-foot chimney of rock. The 14-room house is now a complex of rooms, streets, buildings, and gardens covering over 200 acres. The Infinity Room contains 3,264 windows.
     
  7. The state is nicknamed the Badger State.
     
  8. In 1882 the first hydroelectric plant in the United States was built at Fox River.
     
  9. The first practical typewriter was designed in Milwaukee in 1867.
     
  10. Wausau is the Ginseng Capital of the World.
     
  11. The American Birkebeiner, a 52K cross-country ski race between Cable and Hayward, is the largest on the North American continent.
     
  12. Wisconsin snowmobile trails total 15,210 miles of signed and groomed snow highways.
     
  13. Mount Horeb is the Troll Capital of the World and home to the Mustard Museum (see below.)
     
  14. In the 1930s the Flambeau River State Forest was established and became a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration.
     
  15. Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells is the nation's largest water-themed park.
     
  16. Belleville is the Unidentified Flying Object Capital of Wisconsin.
     
  17. Potosi is the Catfish Capital of the state.
     
  18. The nation's first kindergarten was established in Watertown in 1856. Its first students were local German-speaking youngsters.
     
  19. Wisconsin is the dairy capital of the United States.
     
  20. Wisconsin produces more milk than any other state.
     
  21. Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center on June 8, 1867
     
  22. The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward is shaped like a Muskie.
     
  23. The original Barbie is from Willows. Barbie's full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts.
     
  24. Bloomer is the Jump Rope Capital of the World.
     
  25. Milwaukee is home of Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
     
  26. The first Ringling Brothers Circus was staged in Baraboo in 1884.
     
  27. Somerset is the Inner Tubing Capital of the World.
     
  28. Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest city.
     
  29. Two Rivers is the home of the ice cream sundae.
     
  30. Wisconsin's second oldest city is Prairie du Chien.
     
  31. The state's constitution is the oldest of any state west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was adopted in 1848.
     
  32. Boscobeel is the Turkey Capital of the state.
     
  33. The Republican Party was founded in Ripon in 1854.
     
  34. The Hamburger hall of fame is located in Seymour.
     
  35. Monroe is the Swiss Cheese Capital of the World.
     
  36. Mercer is the Loon Capital of the World.
     
  37. With an average of 2,500 performers, Milwaukee's Summerfest is the nation's largest music festival.
     
  38. Famous Wisconsinites include: Harry Houdini, famous magician and escape artist. Douglas MacArthur, well known World War II and Korean War general. Frank Lloyd Wright, America's most famous architect. William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Don Ameche, actor and winner of an academy award for his performance in "Cocoon."
     
  39. Mount Horeb's internationally known Mustard Museum holds the world's largest mustard collection. The museum contains more than 2,300 varieties of mustard. The museum celebrates National Mustard Day each August.
     
  40. The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is in Hayward.
     
  41. Eagle River is known as the Snowmobile Capital of the World.
     
  42. Marshfield is located in the geographic center of the state and is known Hub City.
     
  43. Bonduel is the Spelling Capital of Wisconsin.
     
  44. Muscoda is the Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.
     
  45. Sauk City is Wisconsin's oldest incorporated village.
     
  46. Prairie du Sac hosts the State Cow Chip Throwing Contest on Labor Day weekend.
     
  47. Sturgeon Bay is the Shipbuilding Capital of the Great Lakes.
     
  48. Sheboygan is the Bratwurst Capital of the World.
     
  49. The falls in Niagara has the same geological feature as Niagara Falls, New York.
     
  50. Green Bay is the Toilet Paper Capital of the World.
     
    Thanks to: Darleen Jeske, Reid M. Webster, Patrick J. McGrath, Sharon Mathis, Michele Wilson, Amma26, Cindy Szajna, Guy Boucher, Valerie McAuliffe