Beetown (community), Wisconsin

Beetown is an unincorporated community in the town of Beetown, Grant County, Wisconsin, United States.[1] Wisconsin Highway 81 passes through the community.

Beetown, Wisconsin
Looking north at Beetown from WIS 81
Looking north at Beetown from WIS 81
Beetown is located in Wisconsin
Beetown
Beetown
Beetown is located in the United States
Beetown
Beetown
Coordinates: 42°47′42″N 90°53′07″W / 42.79500°N 90.88528°W / 42.79500; -90.88528
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountyGrant
TownBeetown
Elevation
250 m (810 ft)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code608
GNIS feature ID1561503[1]

History edit

The settlement was first surveyed in 1847 or 1848. The community had become prosperous by 1850, boasting three hotels, but a combination of the Gold Rush and an outbreak of cholera nearly depopulated the community.[2]

The community got its name from settler Cyrus Alexander, who discovered a 425 pounds (193 kg) block of lead under a bee tree in 1827. He named his find bee lead, which eventually became Beetown's name as well.[3]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b "Beetown (community), Wisconsin". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Wisconsin Historical Society. Wisconsin Local History & Biography Articles; "Village of Beetown Legally Surveyed and Laid Off in 1848"; Wisconsin State Journal; Madison, Wisconsin; Aug. 15, 1926; viewed online at https://www.wisconsinhistory.org on Feb. 19, 2023. Internally inconsistent on year of survey and form of government.
  3. ^ Gard, Robert (2015). The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names (2nd ed.). Madison, WI: Wisconsin Historical Society Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-87020-707-5.