In 1849, the Native American lands of central Wisconsin were opened, by way of treaty, for land claims by settlers. The area of eastcentral Wisconsin was a favorite to men from Vermont. Vermont men had settled the wild country from Poy Sippi to Waupaca--a stretch of about 15 miles. That year, the county's earliest pioneers set out from Sheboygan to stake a claim for their homesteads. Told of a place called "the Falls," now known as Waupaca, they mapped out three 80-acre plots after their arrival. As more settlers came to the area, Waupaca was formed into a village and incorporated in 1857....

The Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, Wisconsin, was incorporated in 1887 by the Wisconsin Department of the Grand Army of the Republic. Initially a retirement home for Civil War veterans and their spouses, the Home slowly evolved into a health care facility as the original members aged and new veterans arrived from World War I. Images within Wisconsin Veterans Home at King allow the reader to experience the early grandeur of the old Home. Some original buildings still exist today, and the Home currently cares for approximately 800 veterans and spouses.

In the early stages of Wisconsin's statehood, Vermonters settled in an area in east-central Wisconsin. Poy Sippi is a fine example of the pioneers' thirst for adventure, exploration, and hard work ethic. The lakes, creeks, and swamps did not impede this thirst. A small town nestled between two hills, Poy Sippi reminded the settlers of their eastern homes. The interaction of families within the neighboring communities brought about strong bonds and the development of eastern Waushara County. This is their story, told through vintage photographs.