Oil City, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oil City, Wisconsin
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Oil City today
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 Oil City, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Oil City, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Monroe |
| Elevation | 270 m (886 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 608 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1570758 |
Oil City is a small, unincorporated community located in the Town of Sheldon in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. It sits between the towns of Wilton and Ontario along WI-131.
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What is Oil City?
Oil City is a quiet place in the countryside of Wisconsin. It's not a large city, but rather a small settlement where people live. The area is known for its natural beauty and peaceful environment.
Where is Oil City Located?
You can find Oil City in the southwestern part of Wisconsin. It's in Monroe County, which is known for its farming and natural areas. The community is situated along a state highway, making it easy to reach.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Oil City" might make you think of a place with lots of oil wells, like in Texas or Oklahoma. However, this community in Wisconsin has a very different story behind its name. It's linked to an interesting event from the 1800s.
A Nineteenth-Century Trick
In the 1800s, Oil City was the site of what people called an "oil swindle." A swindle is a clever trick or scam, usually involving money. Someone made people believe that there was oil underground in this area. This was a big deal because finding oil could make people very rich!
The False Promise of Oil
People were led to believe that they could invest in oil drilling here. However, there was no real oil to be found. It was all a trick to get people to spend their money. Even though no oil was ever discovered, the name "Oil City" stuck. It became a reminder of this unusual event in the community's history.
The Old Cemetery
Oil City is also home to a historic cemetery. It's known by two names: the Sheldon Township Cemetery or the Oil City Cemetery. This burial ground was used for many years, from the 1860s until the early 1900s.
A Lost and Found History
In the 1940s, something surprising happened to the cemetery. A local farmer accidentally plowed over the land where the cemetery was located. This meant that many of the old headstones were lost or damaged. It was a sad moment for the community's history.
Restoring the Past
Thankfully, the community worked to restore the cemetery. While some of the original headstones could not be found, the cemetery has been brought back to its proper state. It now serves as a quiet place to remember the people who lived in Oil City long ago. It's a reminder of the community's long history.
