Plum City , Wisconsin
Celebrating the 150 year anniversary this summer

Plum City, located in the southeast corner of Pierce County, was named by the Moser family who arrived here in 1856. This profusion of wild plum trees and a small stream running through a peaceful valley attracted a variety of settlers, including: American Indians, English, French, Swedes, Swiss, Irish, Germans and Norwegians.

All of what is now Pierce Country, leading from the mouth of the Chippewa River north to the headwaters of Plum City, was once the home of the Eastern Sioux Indians. It was a great trapping and hunting ground and the French transported huge quantities of furs through the Saint Croix waterways north to Lake Superior and on to Montreal. Chippewa Indians also arrived here and there were several Indian wars before 1686 among rival tribes over the better hunting grounds west of the Chippewa River. Part of present-day Plum City was settled during the French occupation. This early settlement surrounded the natural spring pond, which existed in a primitive state in the 17th Century. That spring continues to flow to this day, creating a serene natural setting.

Tourist attractions include a local apple orchard where visitors can pick their own apples in the Fall, snowmobiling in the winter and hiking along those same trails in the spring. In summer, visitors can relax in the park, picnic and enjoy some American Legion baseball -- the local team is called the Plum City Blues and has been riding at the top of the standings lately in the Saint Croix Valley League.

Nugget Lake Park, just four miles north of Plum City, is 752 acres of semi-wilderness area. It offers a 116-acre scenic lake (electric trolling motors only are allowed on boats), 55 campsites (with 32 electrical hook-ups), hiking and cross-country ski trails, picnic area with shelters, playground equipment, a beach with changing rooms and boat/canoe rentals. Nugget Lake Park is open year round. For reservations or information, call 715/639-5611.

In Plum City itself is the nine-acre American Legion Park, bordered on the west by the well-known trout stream, "Plum Creek." Overnight camping, a large playground area and hiking trails are available here as well.

[Printed with the permission of the author Dorie Haugen.]