Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-12-16
ROMANCE IN BADGER NAMES
Indian and French Words Furnished
Majority CT Derivations for Wis
consin Cities and Towns.

Madison.-That the story OF the
naming of cities and physical fea-
lures of Wisconsin abounds with ro-
mantle interest is shown in the find
ings of the United States geological
survey, which has traced the origin
of these place names, with the as
sistance of the state historical So
ciety.
The name Wisconsin is a Sank In
dian word having reference to holes
in the bank of a stream, in which
birds nest.
Milwaukee is said to have derived
It's name from the Indian word mil
Joke, meaning good earth or good
country"
Green Bay was named from the bay,
which was called by the early French
la grande bale, 1.-The large bay"
which was corrupted into the pres.
ent name.
La Crosse was so named by the
French because the ground was a
favorite place for ball playing with
'the Indians, the game being called
by the French la crosse.
Sheboygan is Indian-named Pwa
derivations are given, one from the
Ojibwa word jibaigan, meaning a per.
forated object, as pipu stem, and the
other from shawb-wa-Vay. expressing
a tradition that great A. Sc coming
underground from the region of Lake
Superior was heard at this place"
Berlin is one of thirty-seven towns
in the country named from the city
in Germany.
De Pere was so named because stu
a+ed on Rapides des Iere.
Ripon had it's name transferred from
an English town.
Stoughton owes it's name to Luke
Stoughton, who plated the town.
Madison is one of the numerous
geographical namesakes of President
sames Madison.
Oshkosh was named for an Indian
chief The word is said to mean
mail, CLAW" or the horny part of
the foot of beasts"
Sturgeon Bay was named from the
bay, which abounds with this fish.
Two Rivers derived it's name from
Twin Rivers.
Appleton owes it's name to Sam
uel Appleton, one of the founders OF
Lawrence university.
Beloit bears a coined name Sc
lected by a committee, to whom it
was suggested by the name Detroit.
Fond du Lac was so named because
of its situation, the phrase being
French for END of the lake
GAINESVILLE was given its name in
honor of Henry F. James.
Kenosha is an Indian word mean.
ing fish, ''pickerel." pike.
Manitowoc is also Indian-named,
the word signifying spirit land"
Marinette was named for the
daughter of an Indian chief, Marin
cite Jacobs.
The name Wausau is a corruption
Of wassa, meaning far away"
Amigo derived its name from the
Indian word neequee-antigo-sebi, an
IiSO HlSdlllAAS SiCC4A.
Baraboo was named for Jean Bar
ibault, a French settler.
Menomonie bears the name of an
Indian tribe, the word referring to
the wild rice which grew abundantly
in the region.
Merrill was so called in honor OF
S. S. Merrill, of the Wisconsin Cen
trail Railroad company.
Neenah derived it's name from an
Indian word signifying water
Stevens Point owes it's name to
the Rev. J. d. Stevens, missionary to
the Indians.
Washburn was named for Cadwal-
lader c. Washburn, former governor
OF the state
Waupun is an Indian word mean
ing early" or early day"
Marshield was named for J. ].
Marsh, of New York, who owned the
greater part of the town.
Prairie du Chen is a French
phrase, meaning prairie of the dog. "
Rhinelander was named for F. w.
Rhinelander, president of the Mil
waukee, Lake Shore & Western rail
way.
Rice Lake was so called because
situated on lake where wild rice
is abundant.
Waukesha derived its name frozI
the Indian wsuk-tsha, mesafng
fox"