Preble, Wisconsin facts for kids
Preble was a town in Brown County, Wisconsin, United States. It existed from 1859 until 1964. In 1964, the people of Preble voted to join with the nearby city of Green Bay. This meant Preble stopped being its own separate town.
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Where Did the Name Preble Come From?
The name of the town of Preble might have come from a few different places. One idea is that it was named after Commodore Edward Preble. He was a naval officer who fought in a war around 1803.
Another idea is that Peter Faenger named the town. He was a settler who came from Germany. It's also possible that Chauncey N. Aldrich named it after his hometown, Preble, New York.
History of Preble
Early Days and Settlers
The first settlers arrived in the Preble area in 1836. Peter Faenger and a group of German families were among them. One of the first buildings they put up was a church. Early farmhouses were simple. They were made of logs, with mud filling the gaps, and roofs made of wood shingles.
Becoming a Town
In 1859, the people living in the area asked the Brown County Board to create a new town. They wanted to call it the Town of Preble. On July 13, 1859, the County Board agreed, and the new town was officially formed.
Population and Community Life
By 1860, about 520 people lived in Preble. Many families were from Germany. However, the town also had immigrants from Ireland, Canada, Holland, and Belgium.
The first town elections were held in 1859. Chauncey N. Aldrich was chosen as the town chairman. He held this important job for 26 years. A post office opened in 1861, but it closed in 1864 because of money problems during the American Civil War. In 1866, the Finger School was built for the children of Preble. Town meetings were held in different homes until a town hall was built in 1895.
At first, most people in Preble worked in farming and dairy. Later, other types of businesses also grew in the town.
Joining Green Bay
In the 1920s, Preble started to face challenges as more people moved into the area. The town needed to figure out how to handle things like sewage, clean water, and schools for the growing number of children. There were also some disagreements with the nearby City of Green Bay.
People in Preble knew they needed a change. They had three main choices:
- Stay a town and let Green Bay slowly take over parts of it.
- Become its own village or city with clear borders.
- Join completely with the City of Green Bay.
Most people didn't want to stay as a town. There were two big groups who argued about the other choices. One group believed Preble should join Green Bay. They thought it would be better for everyone. The other group felt Preble was strong enough to be its own community.
In the 1950s, Preble tried to become its own city, but the courts and state officials said no. Finally, on November 3, 1964, the people of Preble voted to join with Green Bay.
When Preble joined Green Bay, it had about 12,000 people. This made it one of the largest towns in Wisconsin. Preble added about 12,576 acres (51 square kilometers) to Green Bay. This nearly doubled the size of the city and helped Green Bay grow eastward.
Celebrating 100 Years
The Town of Preble celebrated its 100th birthday in September 1959. The celebration was held at Preble Park and lasted two days. It included a community picnic, dance contests, and a parade. The parade started at Danz School and ended at Preble Park. A large granite monument was put up to remember 100 years of the town's history.
Education in Preble
Today, Preble High School in Green Bay is a reminder of the former town.
