History
As many local school children have been discovering for years, The Hawks Inn is a great place to go to learn more about the history of Delafield.
History of Delafield, WI - est. 1843
Wisconsin, originally known as the Michigan Territory, began its settlement in the early nineteenth century when the government offered land at a price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The area which is now Delafield was dotted with sparkling lakes, clear river streams and hardwood forests. Seasonal fishing and hunting camps of several Indian tribes could be found on the shores of the lakes and streams. Cabins were first settled on this rolling landscape in 1839. Other settlers, including farmers and merchants, soon followed. herds of sheep began to graze the gentle hills as grist and saw mills appeared along the streams.
Perhaps Delafield's most famous settler was Nelson Hawks who moved here with his family from the state of New York. Mr. Hawks soon built a three story inn as a stage coach stop in 1846. Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, the Hawks Inn still stands today as an educational museum. Mr. Hawks named this little settlement Delafield and in 1848, the Michigan territory became the state of Wisconsin. Today this historic community thrives with over six thousand residents. Situated twenty-five miles west of Milwaukee and fifty miles east of Madison, the state capitol, Delafield continues to attract families and businesses to its historic and beautiful landscape.
Important Dates
1836 |
Increase A. Lapham, the "Father of the U.S. Weather Bureau, " made weather observations |
1842 |
Nashotah House, Wisconsin's oldest degree-granting institution, was established |
1846 |
Hawks Inn was established and became celebrated far and wide as a stagecoach stop, catering to the travelers of the day |
1850 |
Norwegian violist, Ole Bull, was heard in concert |
1884 |
St. John's Northwestern Military Academy was founded |
1907 |
The Delafield hatchery building, a local landmark, was built by the Department of Natural Resources. It is now a senior center and is a available for rent through the City |
Writings of Nelson Hawks
Click on the pages below to view a PDF of them.
The City of Delafield has a wonderful Chamber of Commerce website – www.visitdelafield.org
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