Through the first third of the nineteenth century Fond du Lac County was part of the Winnebago Indian nation. The county itself was created in 1836, the year that the first permanent settlers, Colwert and Edward Pier, arrived. The eventual city of Fond du Lac was created by James Duane Doty, the Wisconsin territory’s premier speculator. Doty had an eye to the transportation possibilities of Lake Winnebago and the construction of a canal to the the Rock River at the Horicon marsh and another to Sheboygan on Lake Michigan.

Best known for its proximity to Lake Winnebago, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Ice Age Reserve Unit, Fond du Lac County is also very popular for water sports, hunting, hiking and more. While the countryside provides beautiful scenery and exciting recreation, the cities of Fond du Lac and Ripon provide its visitors with great restaurants, fine dining, wonderful historical districts and many cultural events. Whether you want to hike, bike and escape to the great outdoors, or just relax, you can do it in Fond du Lac County.