Search our Places Database

Fenwood, Village of

Return To List of Locations | Back to Search

For more information on this location, please contact our research library.

Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 28 N. - R. 4 E., Sec. 34, Township of Wien

Formallized:
April 16, 1904.

Background:

Population: 1905 -198, 2000 -174.

Fenwood's name comes from the word "Fen", which means a low land covered wholly or partly by water. Fenwood was such a place in early days. Fenwood was first recorded in the name of H. Ammidown in 1851. It was then acquired by Marathon County and the State of Wisconsin. Marathon County transferred to the Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company the necessary right of way and thousands of other acres including the heavily timbered section of the Fenwood area. C. S. Curtis of Wausau acquired other land in the area. Curtis erected a sawmill immediately west of the village limits. When the sawmill closed in 1910, many of the workers settled with their families on farms nearby. The Fenwood Stock Market was established at this time.

By then, dairy farming was the mainstay of the area's economy and a large cheese factory was built in the community.

First Public Official:
Gustave Miller

Post Office Established:
February 19, 1892

First Postmaster:
Henry Radant

About The Post Office:

Service was discontinued on November 30, 1984. The P. O. was located in Section 34 of Wien Township.

Railroad:

See background

This town had its beginnings with the Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western Railway. The railway entered the township in Section 33 and continued northeast through Fenwood. The depot was constructed ca. 1890 - 1891. In 1893, the railway line was sold to the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company.

Churches:

Two German Evangelical Lutheran congregations:

1. St. Peter Lutheran Church created in September 1909.

2. St. Paul Lutheran Church created in 1910 and lasting for 42 years.

Schools:

A two department school

Industry:

The Fenwood Stock Market consisted of about 300 acres and provided experimentation along agricultural lines and promoted dairying and other branches of farmwork.

Sawmill owned by C. S. Curtis

Cheese factory

See Background

Farming:

See Background