Fancher, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fancher, Wisconsin
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 Fancher, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Fancher, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Portage |
| Elevation | 347 m (1,138 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 and 534 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1564852 |
Fancher is a small, quiet community in Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. It's not a big city, but rather an area where people live without a formal city government. Think of it as a neighborhood that's part of a larger county.
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Where is Fancher Located?
Fancher is located in the middle of Wisconsin. It's about halfway between two towns called Stevens Point and Amherst. You can find it south of U.S. Highway 10, right on County Road K. The main part of Fancher is along County Road K, between Townline Road and Lake Thomas Road, in a larger area called Stockton.
The Story of Fancher
How Fancher Got Its Name
Fancher was named after a man named Orson Fancher. He was important because he started the very first post office in the area in 1891. People often name places after important early settlers or founders.
Early Buildings in Fancher
Soon after the post office opened, two important buildings were constructed near Orson Fancher's home. These were the Fancher School and the St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church. Both of these buildings are still in their original locations today.
Fancher and the Railroad
Fancher used to be a special kind of stop for the railroad, called a "flag stop." This meant that trains would only stop there if someone waved a flag to signal them, or if passengers needed to get off. This railroad access was very important for local businesses, especially for potato warehouses in the area. Farmers could easily send their potatoes to other places using the train.
Smokey Spur: A Nearby Spot
Near Fancher, at Smokey Road and Fourth Street in the town of Stockton, there was a small area known as "Smokey Spur." This place had a blacksmith shop, a bar, and a hotel. The name "Smokey Spur" is still remembered today because there's a place called the Smokey Spur Bar.
The Railroad Becomes a Trail
The old Fox Valley and Western Railroad, which was once the "spur" near Fancher, is no longer used for trains. Instead, it has been turned into a fun path called the Tomorrow River State Trail. Now, people can use it for walking, biking, and enjoying nature.
