Historic Map - Delavan, WI - 1884

Delavan, Walworth Co., Wisconsin 1884. H. Brosius, del. Beck & Pauli, litho.

Historic map of Delavan, Wisconsin, published by J. J. Stoner of Madison, Wisconsin in 1884, reprint. The area around Delavan Lake is known to have been inhabited by mound-building tribes of Native Americans as early as 1,000 BC. French explorers arrived in the mid-1600's and claimed the area until the Treaty of 1783 turned over control to the United States. The Potawotomi Indian tribe lived around the lake during this period. The region became part of the newly established Northwest Territories.

The first white settlers arrived in Delavan in 1836. The name Delavan was given to the town in honor of Edward C. Delevan (1793-1871), a temperance leader from Albany, New York, who helped establish the American Temperance Union. Other towns in Wisconsin and Illinois were named in his honor during this time.

The upper right margin includes an inset illustration of the State Institution for Deaf and Dumb, as it was known in 1884. The Dormitory, Main Building and School House are illustrated.

In 1847, The Mabie Brothers U.S. Olympic Circus arrived to become the first circus to quarter in the territory of Wisconsin. Then the largest circus in America, Mabie Brothers U. S. Olympic Circus was famous for their 10,500 pound elephant named "Romeo". The original P. T. Barnum Circus was first organized in Delavan in 1871, by William C. Coup and Dan Costello. Twenty-six circus companies called Delavan home between 1847 and 1894, with over 130 members of the 19th century circus colony buried in Spring Grove and St. Andrew cemeteries.

Features numbered references to the following locations:

1. State Institution for Deaf and Dumb.
2. High School.
3. Wisconsin Dental College.
4. Baptist Church.
5. Congregational Church.
6. Catholic Church.
7. Episcopal Church.
8. Methodist Church.
9. "The Republican" Office, W. G. Weeks, Proprietor.
10. "The Enterprise" Office, H. T. Sharp, Proprietor.
11. Delavan House, G. W. Collins, Proprietor.
12. Hotel.
13. Mill.
14. Elevator, M. S. Hoag, Proprietor.
15. Machine Shop.
16. Cheese Factory.
17. Lumber Yard, Barker, Proprietor.
18. Gihou Mineral Spring and Park, H. W. Worth, Proprietor.