Blog | Portage Co. Historic

From the Archives

This page features blog posts from various authors telling the stories

of Portage County, Wisconsin while utilizing the resources of

the Portage County Historical Society

Cheyenne Antell

5 days ago3 min read

Snapshots of Winters Past

Snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy these photos of winter from Portage County's past. A crowd gathers to watch tobogganers at...

199 views0 comments

The Last Yellowstone Cabin in Portage County

Cheyenne Antell

Dec 107 min read

The Last Yellowstone Cabin in Portage County

It was winter of 1999 and in Park Ridge two small log cabins were up on pallets, ready to be moved or demolished. A member of the...

227 views0 comments

Cheyenne Antell

Nov 127 min read

The Legacy of George Whiting

Between 1890 and 1925, industry was booming in Stevens Point. Businessmen flocked to Portage County for the clean water, fresh air, and...

79 views0 comments

A Forgotten Brewery: The Story of the Polish Brewing Company in Stevens Point

John Harry

Oct 302 min read

A Forgotten Brewery: The Story of the Polish Brewing Company in Stevens Point

Discover the story of the Polish Brewing Company, a 1900s brewery that shaped Portage County’s heritage.

177 views1 comment

Cheyenne Antell

Aug 810 min read

The History of Pierce's Grocery Store

The were once many small grocers in Portage County. This is the story of one of them - Pierce's Grocery Store in Plover.

249 views1 comment

Jules Iverson - Builder, Park Namesake, and Watchsmith?

Cheyenne Antell

Jul 15 min read

Jules Iverson - Builder, Park Namesake, and Watchsmith?

Jules Iverson's name looms large in the Stevens Point area for the park that is named after him, but there is much more to learn about him.

265 views0 comments

It All Started with the Midway Tavern...

Deb Kluz Baker

May 1513 min read

It All Started with the Midway Tavern...

Although I am a fifth-generation resident of Portage County and have been a public employee here throughout my entire teaching career,...

2,068 views3 comments

Lesser-known Creations of the Lullabye Furniture Company

Cheyenne Antell

May 114 min read

Lesser-known Creations of the Lullabye Furniture Company

John Bukolt invented the automatic rocking cradle, and many other devices..

389 views0 comments

Cheyenne Antell

Apr 87 min read

Shining a Light on Uranium Glass

When handling antiques, dangerous compounds can surprisingly show up in everyday objects. It is up to antique dealers, historians, and...

870 views1 comment

Carrie Frost & the Fly Tackle Capital of the World

Portage County Historical Society

Mar 142 min read

Carrie Frost & the Fly Tackle Capital of the World

This blog post is about how Carrie Frost turned Stevens Point into the Fly Tackle Capital of the World

315 views0 comments

John Harry

Jun 27, 20232 min read

The Point Special Open Golf Tournament

Check out the story of one of Stevens Point's first major sporting events, the Point Special Open Golf Tournament.

300 views0 comments

Portage County Historical Society

Jun 12, 20234 min read

The Engford Family Circus: Part 1

Learn more about the family that gave the Circus House at Heritage Park in Plover it's name in the first of a series all about the Engfords.

218 views0 comments

Jen Brilowski

May 25, 20232 min read

Charles Chapman: Lincoln's Bodyguard

Charles Lucius Chapman was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1842. His father died and soon after his death, his mother...

133 views0 comments

Portage County Historical Society

May 18, 202311 min read

The Small Communities of Portage County

We recently gave a presentation titled "Portage County Unincorporated" which detailed the story of some of the smaller communities in our...

786 views0 comments

John Harry

Mar 14, 20233 min read

George McMulkin and the Delaware Irish

This blog post is to introduce you to George McMulkin, the main driver of Irish immigration to Portage County in the 1850s and 1860s. We...

158 views1 comment

Welcome to the Portage County History Blog: From the Archives!

Portage County Historical Society

Feb 23, 20232 min read

Welcome to the Portage County History Blog: From the Archives!

This post announces the NEW Portage County History Blog!

376 views2 comments