A new elementary school is named in her honor. To understand Appleton today, and to appreciate it, the visitor needs to know more about the Fox River. The Fox River drops 168 feet between the cities of Neenah and Green Bay, a vertical drop nearly that of Niagra Falls. A series of locks and dams control the current to make navigation possible. The Fox River remains on of Appleton's most distinctive features.
Historic mansions line the river banks along with newer homes.
The vitality of these neighborhoods, along with more established residential areas, makes the city a desirable place to live. Lining the actual river valley are paper mills and other industries, many of them related to the manufacture of paper. Since 1854, when the first paper mill opened in Appleton, the paper industry has been the mainstay of the local economy. The central business district is benefiting from community-based efforts to ensure that the area remains vital and active. The Village of Combined Locks was organized in 1921.