Genoa City, Wisconsin

History

Genoa City's land was purchased from the government in 1841. James Dickerson originally platted the village, first known simply as "Genoa", on May 9 and 19, 1850, and it was recorded July 12 that year. There were 23 lots and settlers paid $1.25 an acre. The first two railroad lines were built in the 1850s and 1862, respectively. In 1853, a Congregational Church moved from Bloomfield to Genoa City and built a new church. A bell was added in 1872, and a classroom in 1893. The post office was renamed "Genoa Junction" in 1874 and the village was first incorporated as such on October 15, 1901. By 1880, Genoa City had about 300 residents and a post office, hotel, flour mill, grist mill, lumber yard, drug store, grocery store, hardware store, tailor, shoe maker, two carriage shops, three general stores, and two salon keepers. In 1885, Adolph Freeman platted two additions after fire destroyed many businesses on Freeman Street, which was named after him, the year prior. In the 1890s, new buildings replaced the ones lost in the fire. The village's name was officially changed from Genoa Junction to Genoa City on January 24, 1924.

From the History section of Genoa City, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.