Walloons in Wisconsin

Walloons are an ethnic group originating from the Wallonia region of Belgium. Mainly arriving between the years 1853 and 1858, and settling in parts of Brown, Door, and Kewaunee counties, Wisconsin is unique for being home to one of the few Walloon ethnic enclaves worldwide, and being home to a special dialect of Walloon called Wisconsin Walloon.

History

In the years leading up to the departure of the first immigrants, Belgium had just gained independence from the Dutch, and became a sovereign nation. Despite having greater freedom and a higher quality of life, poverty was common, and the small plots of land were often not enough to sustain a family. In addition, a potato famine and low rye production caused to widespread food insecurity.

These mounting pressures prompted a small group of eighty-one Walloons to leave for the United States in 1853. On their voyage, were accompanied by a group of Dutch immigrants headed for Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and invited the Walloons to settle nearby. The Walloons agreed, and, upon arrival, two families stayed behind in Philadelphia to make up for the money lost during the voyage. The rest of the families kept moving towards Wisconsin. Once they reached Sheboygan, however, they were disappointed to find that the fertile farmland near the city had already been claimed, and communication from the Dutch proved harder than expected.

Unsure of their situation, they met a French Canadian trapper who told them that there were more fertile lands farther north, near the Green Bay area, and on the Door Peninsula, as well as already existing French speaking villages. Seeing that as the best choice, the group migrated northward and made their first settlements in the area.

Impact

The cultural impact of Walloons can be seen althrought the region and is especially apparent in town names like Brussels, Luxembourg, and Namur. They have also contributed foods like booyah, an especially popular dish in northeastern Wisconsin. Today, the Belgian Heritage Center serves as the only museum about the historical and cultural significance of Walloons in the region.