Treasure on the Mississippi

The History of Cassville

Cassville was settled in 1827. Then part of the Michigan Territory, it was named after Territorial Governor Lewis Cass. When Wisconsin achieved statehood in 1848, Cassville's Nelson Dewey was elected first governor. Remains of his 2,000 acre estate are now Nelson Dewey State Park and Stonefield Historic Site.


Ferry service powered by horses on a treadmill, started in 1836. Later, the ferry was used to transport vegetables from rich Iowa bottomland fields to the Klindt Geiger Canning Company, founded in 1893. Gasoline engines replaced "horsepower" in 1913 Denniston House - "The Big Brick"		Cassville Ferry In 1836, Cassville was competing for the honor of becoming capitol of the new Wisconsin Territory, The Denniston House or "The Big Brick" was built that year to house legislators.
The Steamboat era saw the foot of Frederic Street as the activity center of Cassville. Riverboats moored along the riverfront to unload goods, transfer passengers, and load lead from nearby mines. Riverside Park was established in the 1890's. An eagle effigy mound found here was built by Native Americans around 1000 A.D.

For more Cassville, Wisconsin history, see	"The Cassville Story."
	"Cassville Railroad History"
	"Historic Walking Tour"
	"Cassville History Plaque"

Cassville Tourism
P.O. Box 576
Cassville, WI 53806
608-725-5855
Email: Cassville Tourism