German Tour South
WASHINGTON/OZAUKEE COUNTIES

The Germans are Wisconsin's largest 19th century immigrant group, with more than fifteen subgroups represented in settlements throughout the Lake Michigan shoreline. The most common group, numbering close to one million, are descendants of families from the Prussian state of Pomerania, a region along the South shore of the Baltic Sea.

The first German settlements in Wisconsin began in the summer and fall of 1839, in the Ozaukee County township of Mequon. Saxon Germans purchased the thickly forested land along the present day N. 76th Street and Pomeranians purchased nearly 1000 acres of land in the western part of Mequon. Numerous stone, log and half-timbered homes and barns were built in this region. Today, eleven local cultural organizations help preserve and celebrate the German heritage in this rapidly changing suburban area. Several important pockets of German culture still remain, and vestiges of Germanic architecture, like the great Wisconsin frame dairy barn, can still be seen.

Hunsrücker Germans, coming in 1842 from the hilly region between the Mosel and Rhine Rivers established Dheinsville, where the Fond du Lac Native American trail ran. Remaining areas of the township of Germantown were settled primarily from the Kingdom of Hessia. The Germantown, Mequon and Jackson areas became prosperous German communities for thousands of German immigrants. The churches, Turner Halls and local Gasthouses became familiar gathering places. Be sure to visit the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, the Yankee Settler's cottage (1839), 11312 N. Cedarburg Road in Mequon, the Kuhefuss German/American House Museum, W63 N627 Washington Avenue in Cedarburg and the Lime Kilns, Lime Kiln Park on Green Bay Road south of Falls Road in Grafton.

Visitor's Guide to Festivals

Attractions Dheinsville Settlement Park & Museum, Germantown. Food & Beverage Von Rothenburg Bier Stube. Shopping German Glass & Gift Imports. Visit our 4000 sq. ft. store and you will feel transported to Germany. Open: Weekdays 9-6; Saturdays 10-5; Sundays 12-5. W200 N10290 Lannon Road, Germantown, WI 53022. (262) 253-0226. Sinter Klausen Christmas Markt, Germantown. The Virtuous Woman.

Transportation Heritage Tours, Inc. Motor Coach Services: Step-ons, Custom Tours. Wisconsin's Premier Ethnic Tour Operator since 1990. P.O. Box 285, Germantown, WI 53022. (262) 255-2590. For More Information GERMANTOWN VISITOR'S CENTER W16250 Mequon Road, Germantown, WI 53022 (262) 255-2590. MEQUON-THIENSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 11512 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI 53092 (262) 241-8186 Events Dheinsville Settlement. Mai Fest.