About Us:

The land that Beaver Dam occupies was one of the marshy areas left by glaciers millions of years ago. Sioux, Chippewa, Kickapoo, Sauk, Fox and Winnebago long roamed its rolling prairies. As late as 1848, a large Potawatomi camp and cemetery were located on the west side of Beaver Dam Lake. Indian trails led to the Sacred Springs, now known as Swan Park, where annual ceremonials attracted many Native Americans. Following Indian land cessions in the 1830's, federal government surveys were begun, giving the land its characteristic 'square-grid' system for land sales.

By 1843, the community had 79 settlers, a school, and a church. The development of waterpower had a tremendous influence on the history of Beaver Dam. The dam that was constructed in 1842 not only provided water power for a sawmill and a gristmill, but also created Beaver Dam Lake. In 1856, Beaver Dam was incorporated as a city and the railroad came to town, opening the door to more industrial development. Early industries established between 1856 and the turn of the century included a spinning wheel maker, a flourmill, a linseed oil mill, a brewery, a woolen mill, a cabinet maker, a cradle maker, brick makers, cotton mills, a wagon maker, and a carriage maker. The early settlers of the community were Yankees from New England and New York. Later they were joined by immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Poland, and other countries.

Around 1890, manufacturers in the east began making a type of iron known as malleable because it would bend without breaking. That led to the establishment of several iron industries in Beaver Dam. Greater economic activity led to changes in the center of town. This time period is associated with two historic buildings also on the National Register of Historic Places.