History of Jefferson, Wisconsin
Jefferson, Wisconsin, is a community with deep roots stretching back nearly two centuries. Its story begins in the mid-1830s, as the frontier opened following the Black Hawk War. On December 18, 1836, the first known settlers — Rodney J. Currier, Andrew Lansing, and Captain Robert Masters — arrived from Bark Mills (near Hebron) and established the beginnings of what would become the City of Jefferson. They built a log cabin and laid the foundations for settlement on what was then Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi territory, near the ancient Indigenous site at Aztalan.
Jefferson’s location at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers was chosen for its water power and transportation potential — the Rock River was navigable by steamboat to this point in the 1830s, making Jefferson a natural hub for early commerce and growth.
In 1856, Jefferson became the county seat of Jefferson County, and its incorporation followed soon after. It was first incorporated as a village in 1857 and then as a city on March 19, 1878, with a population of just under 3,000. In its early years, the community was marked by kerosene lamps, wood-and-coal stoves, dirt streets, hitching posts and a horse-watering tank on Main Street.
Early settlers were predominantly from New England and later from Germany and Eastern Europe, leaving a lasting cultural impact on the area’s architecture, community institutions, and traditions. After the Civil War, Jefferson grew both agriculturally and industrially, with water-powered mills and early manufacturing helping shape its economy.
Historic Sites in Jefferson
Jefferson’s historic character is preserved in its downtown, civic buildings, and historic architecture, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Downtown & Buildings
- Main Street Commercial Historic District – Walk along Main Street to see 19th- and early 20th-century architecture including the Jefferson House (1860), Beinfang Block (1884), and the historic Chicago & North Western Depot (1914).
- Jefferson Fire Station – Built in 1871 for the city’s first volunteer fire department, this Italianate structure later served as city hall and today houses businesses while preserving its historic charm.
- Jefferson Public Library – A 1911 Carnegie-funded library designed in the Prairie School style, now home to performing arts offices.
- Michael and Margaritha Beck Farmstead – A historic German-settler farm established in 1865, representing the agricultural heritage vital to the region.
Pre-Colonial and Regional History
While this page focuses on the City of Jefferson itself, the region’s human history extends back much further. Nearby Aztalan State Park preserves a 10th–13th-century Mississippian culture settlement complete with earthen mounds and stockade remains — one of the most significant prehistoric Native American sites in Wisconsin.
Why History Matters in Jefferson
From its earliest days as a river-powered settlement to its role as a county seat with deep agricultural and cultural traditions, Jefferson has maintained a strong sense of identity. Its historic downtown, preserved sites, and vibrant community festivals help visitors experience both where the city has come from and how its heritage continues to shape life today.