Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Lake Koshkonong. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
1891Koshkonong sheet · 1:62,500
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Lake Koshkonong.
The story so far
Lake Koshkonong, in brief
Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Lake Koshkonong yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.
Lake Koshkonong is a census-designated place (CDP) in the towns of Koshkonong and Sumner, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,239 at the 2020 census. Lake Koshkonong is in the area.
Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew from 1,204 to 1,239 (+3%).
Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.
From the old history books
What they wrote about Lake Koshkonong in 1879
Passages that mention Lake Koshkonong, cut from the printed page as they were published.
The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing ... biographical sketches ..1879 · page 567Read the page →
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he smallest town in the' county, containing but seventeen square miles. The early setlers were T. Kumlien, C. G. Hammerquist, C. Jenkins, Thomas Bussy (for whom Bussyville is amed, and who built the mill at that place), and a Mr. Downing. Mr. Hammerquist is the 'ostmaster. Lake Koshkonong is the beauty-spot of the town of Sumner. RELICS OF THE RED RACE. The following article on the wonderful archaeological collection of Mr. Henry Haskell is ontributed by Mr. I. T. Carr, editor of the Jefferson Banner : " Men have named the fixed stars, and noted the places where they may always be found ;
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing ... biographical sketches ..1879 · page 364Read the page →
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ing to their home delighted with what they had seen in the vast territory over which they liad traveled, and determined upon removing to the west side of the great lake, for the purpose of permanent settlement, as soon as practicable. Accordingly, in 1838, the Finch colony settled in the soutiiern part of what is now Jefferson County, on the east side of Lake Koshkonong. Their departure from St. Joe was a source of considerable relief to the timid citizens of that place, for the young Finches were wont to indulge in periodical "war-dances," and on such occasions it became necessary for all other inhabitants of St. Joe to bar their doors and windows and remain in seclusion until the "fun" ceased. Coming to Wisconsin, the Finches left none
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
By decade
No old photos in the archives yet
Weddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Be the first to add onePhotograph a print flat, in daylight, no flash.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
