Norwegian-American Cultural Landscapes in Dane County, Wisconsin: Changes through Time

Abstract

Norwegian immigration to Dane County, Wisconsin began in the 1840s because of land availability and economic opportunities and accelerated by the 1870s, due to demographic changes. Norwegian immigrants formed communities around the Norwegian Lutheran Church, first at Koshkonong creek and later in new settlements as they spread westward. The Norwegian cultural impress on the Dane County landscape reflects not only the values of the broader culture or institutions such as the Church, but also the individuals themselves. Across gender and social class, the discursive story of Norwegian immigration is found in Dane County's toponyms, architecture, monuments and celebrations.