Around The World Tour
RACINE COUNTY

When Racine County was legally separated from Kenosha County in 1850, thousands of acres of prairie land had already seen 15 or more years of cultivation by Yankees and immigrants from the British Isles and Norway. The village of Rochester was a Yankee stronghold since the late 1830s and contains one of Wisconsin's oldest commercial buildings, the Union House (1843). New England style buildings give this Fox River village, a special charm.

Over 150 English, Irish and Scottish immigrants settled the township of Dover by 1850. In 1842, a large group of immigrants from the Cornwall area of England settled at Yorkville. The west-central parts of Racine County, were nicknamed "Yankee Land."

In 1843, the first Lutheran Evangelical Church in America was established. Services were held in Evan Heg's barn until a log church was constructed. The church was moved and restored at a Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. The original log parsonage remains in Muskego.

The city of Racine was founded in 1834 and incorporated in 1848. It became a principal port on the Western shore of Lake Michigan and boasts an abundance of fine architecture.

During the late 19th century, Racine developed a large concentration of Danish people. They were specifically recruited for employment by the Mitchell Wagon Works, in the area now known as West Racine. The area is known for its famous bakeries and was nicknamed "Kringelville," after a famous, flaky, oval pastry. Today, kringle from Racine is known world-wide.

Visitor's Guide to Festivals

Attractions Danish Village Area, West Racine. Contains several Danish bakeries, an old-fashioned dime store, flower shop, gifts and more. South Side National Register District. Approximately from 8th Street to DeKoven Avenue and from Lake Michigan West to Villa Street. Special tours are available, contact Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800- C-RACINE. Colonel Hans Christian Heg Memorial Park, Hwy. 36 South of Wind Lake. Dedicated in 1928, this park commemorates Wisconsin's top ranking officer killed in the Civil War. A small log house built by Elphalet Crane was moved here and opened as a museum. In 1936 a small museum was built depicting the Norwegian settlement history. Each year the park is the site of a Civil War re-enactment battle. Open May 15 through October 15, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday afternoons. Racine County Churches. A variety of ethnic churches include Irish, Welsh, Scottish, German, Armenian, Lithuanian, Bohemian, Greek, Serbian, Hispanic and African-American. Venetian night and the flotilla parade on the Root River, in Racine are best viewed from St. Patrick's Church on St. Patrick Street. The Festival Hall, Racine Civic Center, Racine Lakefront. Features ethnic festivals June through August. Downtown Racine is renovating and restoring its late 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings. Contact the County Historical Museum, 701 Main Street, (414) 636-3926. Danish Coach Tour Available. Food & Beverage O & H Bakery

Events Reggae Fest. Jamaican food. Taste of Scotland Cooking Contest. Tasty ethnic foods. Scandinavian Festival Greek Festival Armenian Picnic Racine African Fest Italian Festival Serbian Days Festival Armenian Fest Mexican Fiesta By the Lake Bohemian Schoolhouse Open House For more information... concerning ethnic food contact: RACINE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU, 1-800-C-RACINE.