Town of East TroyTownship MapsTownship Cemeteries Taken from The Trolley Times, misc. papers from the East Troy Public Library and "A Century of Commitment to the Community" booklet In 1836, the year that Wisconsin became a territory, settlers from New York and immagrants from Germany, Ireland, and Scotland founded the community of East Troy. East Troy and nearby communities of Troy and Troy Center were named after Troy, New York. A man known as H. Roberts began construction of a saw mill in 1836 on the shores of Honey Creek. The area quickly filled in and within four years there was a hotel, operated by Austin McCracken, a general store, operated by Sewell Smith, a saw mill, blacksmith, a frame chapel built in 1840, a school (held in the church), a post office, which was established in 1838, a doctor, a lawyer, and a Justice of the Peace. Originally the entire territory was known as Troy. In 1843, it was determined that Troy was too large an area for one township and the state legislature split the territory. The western part was named Meacham, after an early setteler, Jesee Meacham. The Eastern part remained Troy. This arrangemant was not suitable with the "westerners" including Mr. Meacham, who set out for the state capitol to reclaim the name of Troy. Jabob Burgit, story has it, heard of Meacham's trip and also set out in wagon to argue his case for keeping the name of Troy for the East. However, he was too late and Jesse Meacham was successful in keeping the name of Troy for the western part of the territory and the eastern part was named East Troy, for being East of Troy. Two men known as the village founders, Austin McCracken and Jacob Burgit, owned all of the land in the village when it was plotted out in 1847. In 1836, Mr. McCracken built the first public inn in Walworth County. It was a log building on the site of the current East Troy House. Both these men were far-sighted and knew if the railroad came through East Troy, it would grow from a settlement into a town. At this time there was no main street and they knew that a central main street would be needed for businesses. They each donated a number of acres of land right on the division of their properties. This square was deeded to the village. The square itself was divided into quarters on the straight and on the diagnals with Main street incircling it. Laid out in this fashion no man would benefit more than the other. In order to encourage growth of the community, McCracken and Burgit offered a free lot to anyone who could build upon it. They also set aside land for the churches. The Village Square was a gift from these two men with the restriction that no stores or homes would ever be built upon it. A petition for incorporation for the Village of East Troy was signed on March 6, 1900 by the following twelve men : Otto W. Zinn, Geo. H. Smith, August Wilmer, H. Dickerman, N.J. Randolpg, E.R. Hicks, Homer Brooks, J.C. Bayer, George Brewster, Richard Brownlee, Thos. W. O'Connor, and O.S. Canright. On May 26, 1900 an election was held at Jude's Opera House. Of the 158 votes cast, 105 voted in favor of incorporation and 53 against it. The election of officers took place on June 22, 1900. August Wilmer was elected president, along with trustees A. Noblet, C.W. Smith, O.F. Winne, R. Brownlee, O.H. Marshall, and A. Lumsden. Finally on December 13, 1907 the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company opened a line into the village creating much needed business, ease of travel from Milwaukee and other stops along the railway and freight of mail, farm produce, newspapers, and most importantly a new service that residents have never seen before, electricity.
East Troy Village and Town Residents in 1873 Taken from "A Century of Commitment to the Community" booklet - source : 1873 Atlas
Postal ServiceTaken from "A Century of Commitment to the Community" booklet - source : 1873 Atlas The first postal service in East Troy was established in 1838, in the home of Henry Powers, who lived not far from Potter's Lake. John F. Power's was the village's first postmaster, as well as the first attorney. Mail was at first transported by horseback and delivered to East Troy once a week. In 1841 the post office was moved to the village and by that time the Government Road from Milwaukee to Janesville was established, facilitating mail services. Many historical buildings around the Village Square housed the post office through the years. On June 12, 1966 ceremonies were held for the new post office on Mill Street, which is still their home today. Postmasters since the post office was established in East Troy in Feb. of 1839:
Township Map circa 1900 Township Map circa 1907 Township Map circa 1923 Copyright 2013 Walworth County Genealogical Society
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