Community Highlights
About Neosho
In 1844, Daniel Cotton purchased 80 acres of land in the Town of Rubicon, Dodge County. It was a strikingly beautiful area with numerous glacial hills, dense woodlands and a valley opening up along the Rubicon River, a tributary of the prominent Rock River. This valley served as a council and a camping site for the Menomonee, Potawatomi and Winnebago tribes.
In 1845, Daniel Cotton and Anderson Rathburn built the first dwelling, an earthen dam, and a sawmill on the land, which led to opening up the area for settlement. It became known as “Cotton’s Mill”. This small settlement eventually was named Neosho, pronounced "nē-ō'-shō", using the Menomonee word for "clear water" as its inspiration.
In the spring of 1846 Lucas Van Orden purchased the land and water rights from Daniel Cotton. He quickly established himself in the area, building a general store, a grist mill, and establishing a post office. In 1847, Mr. Van Orden laid out a town on the land. Lots were set aside for a school, a church, and a public square.
The Village was located on a main territorial road, now Highway 67. For a period of time the road was a plank road from Oconomowoc to Mayville, running through the heart of Neosho.
With water power, mills, good farm land and easy travel to other communities, Neosho quickly became a thriving Village with numerous businesses and organizations.
Part of Neosho’s colorful history includes the story of the Village being part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War Era. A local farmer housed the slaves in an excavation in his barn and the local doctor would treat ill slaves before they moved on. One of these slaves passed away and is buried in the local cemetery.
April 1902 saw the application for the incorporation of the Village by its residents. After a brief and interesting court battle, the Village was incorporated and the first Village officials were elected June 10, 1902.
Turn of the century newspaper accounts show that Neosho men have continually found the need to prove their strength and agility by wrestling. Rarely does a community have the honor to watch one of its own excel and achieve excellence as our Olympian Dennis Hall. Dennis won a silver medal as a Greco-Roman Wrestler at 125.5 pounds at the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia USA in July of 1996.
America’s favorite past time, baseball, was organized in the Village in 1877 fielding the “Mossbacks”. Over time, the Mossback’s name was changed to the “Rockets”. Neosho continues to field the team to this present day.
While many Neosho team members probably dreamt of going onto the big leagues, Neosho is very proud to have had one of their own realize his dream. Dan Held was the 42nd draft pick in the 1993 draft and was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. After nearly 10 years of a successful Minor League career, hitting 121 minor league homers, he entered the Major Leagues with the Cardinals as a Batting Coach.
The Rubicon River was dammed to provide consistent water power to the mills. Although the mills are part of Neosho’s past, the “lake” the dam provided remains today. The Neosho Pond has a long history of recreational activities. Water Ski shows sponsored by WTMJ – Evinrude, and the Neosho Fire Department during their picnics, as well as hydroplane boat racing on the lake known as a “Boat Racer’s Paradise” were but a few of the past events. Currently Neosho hosts the Collegiate Water Skier’s competition in which students from numerous Midwest colleges compete in water skiing maneuvers. Each February the Neosho Pond is home to one of the largest snowmobile races in Wisconsin.
The Neosho park system includes a Veterans’ Park, a baseball field and park, and Woodlawn Park with its beach and boat launch.
Although small, Neosho continues to be an active community with numerous non-profit organizations including one of the oldest continuously active Masonic Lodges in Wisconsin.
The Village of Neosho is very proud of its long and interesting history. It proudly houses the “Old Village Hall Museum” which is operated by the Neosho/Rubicon Historical Society. The museum is open from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from May through October and on the 2nd Sunday from November to April. Please take the time to visit our museum to learn more about the rich history of Neosho.
Schools
The Village of Neosho boosts a quality Public School for students in grades 4K-8. The school is located eight miles west of Hartford, Wisconsin and graduates attend Hartford Union High School. The Neosho Public school has about 200 students! The Village of Neosho Public School website follows. http://www.neoshoschool.com/index.cfm
Victory Christian High School is a four-year, non-denominational Christian high school located in Neosho, Wisconsin. Victory Christian High School is affiliated with the Association of Christian Schools International, an organization of over 3,000 Christian Schools headquartered in Canton, Ohio. The Victory Christian High School website follows. http://lcvictory.org/about.htm
The Village of Neosho is very proud to be the home of the Neosho Rockets Baseball Team. View their website at http://www.leaguelineup.com/schedules.asp?url=neoshorockets&sid=222618055&divisionid=543252
Manager of the Year (Southern Division) Wes Braunschweig
Most Improved Team (Southern Division) Neosho Rockets
Player of Merit (Southern Division) Matt O'Rourke - Neosho
Utility Player (Southern Division) Dusty Jacobson - Neosho
3Rd Baseman (Southern Division) Zach Lauersdorf - Neosho
Catcher (Southern Division) Brandon Egnarski - Neosho
Divisional Champion - South Neosho Rockets
Tri-County Nite League Grand Champions - Neosho Rockets
Close Call at First.
Water Skiing
The Village of Neosho is very proud to host Water Skiing events. Watch the village calendar for these activities.
Snowmobiling
The Ridge & Valley Cruisers host the Snowmobile Races on the Village of Neosho Lake annually. Watch the village calendar for these activities.
Tractor Pulls
The Neosho Fire Department holds annual tractor pulls in the Village. Watch the calendar and announcements for upcoming tractor pulls.