Waubeka, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waubeka, Wisconsin
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 Waubeka, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Ozaukee |
| Settled | 1840s |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.416 sq mi (6.26 km2) |
| • Land | 2.343 sq mi (6.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.073 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 840 ft (256 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 657 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 262 |
Waubeka is a small community in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located in the Town of Fredonia right on the Milwaukee River. Waubeka is considered a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined for gathering population data.
This community is part of the larger Milwaukee metropolitan area. In 2010, about 657 people lived in Waubeka. The area was home to Native Americans until the mid-1800s. Waubeka was named after a friendly Potawatomi chief. It's also famous for being the place where Flag Day was first officially celebrated in 1885. Today, the National Flag Day Foundation has its main office and a museum here.
Contents
History of Waubeka
Early Native American Life
The land where Waubeka is now was originally home to Native American tribes. One of these tribes was the Potawatomi. They gave up their land to the United States government in the 1833 Treaty of Chicago.
Many Potawatomi people moved west of the Mississippi River to Kansas. However, some chose to stay behind. These groups were sometimes called "strolling Potawatomi." They often lived on their old lands, which were now owned by white settlers.
One such group was led by Chief Waubeka. He had a winter camp on the south side of the Milwaukee River as late as 1845. The chief's home was near where the Gerald Joose house stands today. In the Potawatomi language, "Waubeka" means "metal." Eventually, the Potawatomi gathered in northern Wisconsin. They formed the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
European Settlers Arrive
In the 1840s, Waubeka was the biggest settlement in the Town of Fredonia. The first European settlers came from England, Ireland, Scotland, and the East Coast of the United States.
In 1848, many German immigrants arrived from Prussia and settled in northern Waubeka. People from Luxembourg and Belgium settled in eastern Waubeka. Others from Bavaria and Saxony settled in the northwest part of the community.
Geography and Nature
Location and Landscape
Waubeka is located about 840 feet (256 meters) above sea level. It covers an area of about 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The community is in the Town of Fredonia. It shares borders with the Village of Fredonia to the east. To the south, it borders the Town of Saukville.
The land here was shaped by the last ice age. It's part of the Southeastern Wisconsin glacial till plains. These plains were formed by glaciers. There are also Silurian limestone formations underground. These are part of the Racine Dolomite rock layer found across eastern Wisconsin.
Plants and Animals
Before European settlers arrived, the Waubeka area was a thick forest. It had many American beech and sugar maple trees. Along the Milwaukee River, white cedars grew. The river was important for early industries in the community. Much of the original forest was cleared to make way for farms.
Today, you can still see many animals in Waubeka. Large mammals like white-tailed deer, coyotes, North American river otters, and red foxes live here. Many birds also call Waubeka home, including great blue herons and wild turkeys.
The region faces challenges from invasive species. These are plants and animals that are not native and can harm the local environment. Some examples include the emerald ash borer (an insect), common carp (a fish), and plants like reed canary grass and purple loosestrife.
Flag Day Celebration
Waubeka is famous for being the place where Flag Day was first officially celebrated in the United States. This special day honors the flag of the United States.
On June 14, 1885, a teacher named Bernard J. Cigrand taught at Stony Hill School in Waubeka. He asked his students to write essays about what the American flag meant to them. This was to remember when the Continental Congress first adopted the flag in 1777. This event was the very first formal Flag Day observance.
In 1995, the National Flag Day Foundation built the Americanism Center in Waubeka. This large building is 13,000 square feet and sits on fifteen acres of land. It serves as the foundation's main office.
The center also has a museum. Inside, you can find a huge collection of patriotic items. There are military uniforms and things from Bernard J. Cigrand's life. Every Flag Day, the foundation organizes a parade in Waubeka.
Notable Residents
- Bernard J. Cigrand, the person who started the idea of Flag Day in the United States, was born in Waubeka.
See also
In Spanish: Waubeka (Wisconsin) para niños
