Doty Island facts for kids
Island
Doty Island is a unique island located in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. It's special because it's split between two cities! The northern part of the island belongs to Menasha, while the southern part is in Neenah.
This island is completely surrounded by water. Two different branches of the Fox River flow around it. One branch is to the north, and the other is to the south. These rivers connect Lake Winnebago on the east side of the island to Little Lake Butte des Morts on the west side. Doty Island sits at about 760 feet (230 m) above sea level.
History of Doty Island
Early Inhabitants: The Ho-Chunk Nation
Long ago, in the 1700s and 1800s, the Ho-Chunk people lived on Doty Island. A very important leader, Chief Glory of the Morning, had a village right here on the island. This shows that the island has been an important place for a very long time.
James Duane Doty and His Home
The island is named after a significant person in Wisconsin's history, James Duane Doty (1799–1865). He was a key figure in shaping the state.
Doty served as the Governor of the Wisconsin Territory from 1841 to 1844. A territory is like an area that is becoming a state. After being governor, he also worked in the U.S. Congress for two terms, from 1849 to 1853. This means he helped make laws for the entire country!
After his time in Washington, D.C., Doty came back to Doty Island. He built a special home there called the "Grand Loggery." This house was near the southern shore of the island, in what is now Doty Park in Neenah. It was his place to relax after a busy career helping to build Wisconsin.
