Check Out What's New!

Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind Site search Web search

Originally named Bad Axe, Vernon County was formed in 1851 from Richland and Crawford Counties. The name was changed to Vernon County in 1862.

Description of Vernon County, 1876:

"The Mississippi River forms the western boundary of this county, for a distance of over twenty-two miles. The surface is for the greater part even, but in some parts broken into hills or ridges. The county contains 53,404 acres of land, divided into timber, openings, and prairie, fifty percent of the first, and twenty-five each of the others. The timbered land contains all the varieties commonly called hardwood. On the openings it is mainly white and burr oak. The soil is good and yields crops of small grain equal to any portion of the state, and especialy excels in its vegetables. It is well watered by springs and brooks, with an abundance of water power on the larger streams. Like all timbered lands, the soil and climate are natural to the cultivation of grass, and are well adapted to stock and dairy business. This is already largely engaged in, and much grass fed stock and butter and cheese are shipped to eastern and southern markets. The first attempts at fruit raising were disheartening, but those who have persevered have met with very good success. Improved lands are worth from $15 to $30 per acre; unimproved from $3 to $10. Deposits of iron and copper are found in various places, but have not yet been developed. Crops of 1875: wheat, 46,662 acres; oats, 18,273; corn, 16,915; barley, 1,445; rye, 156; and hops, 164; total 83,615. Number of schools, 144; number of children of school age, 8,899."

--Taken from The State of Wisconsin, embracing brief sketches of its history, position, resources and industries, and a catalogue of its exhibits at the Centennial at Philadelphia. Published in 1876.