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In Territorial extent Calumet County is one of the smallest in the State, having an area of only 830 square miles.
Its greatest width east from Lake Winnebago is fourteen miles, and it's extreme length from north to south
twenty-four miles. To the north lie Outagmaie and Brown counties; to the east Manitowoc; Sheboygan and
Fond du Lac bound it on the south, and Lake Winnebago on the west. The main stream of the Manitowoc River
divides at the boundary line between Calumet and Manitowoc counties, the two branches drain a great part of
the territory. The entire eastern, northern and southern portions of Calumet are thereby drained indirectly into
Lake Michigan, while the region bordering the shore of Lake Winnebago is accomodated by small streams
flowing into that body of water. Most of the land has been so long cleared of its former heavy growth of pine
that it is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and is easily cultivated. On the shores of Lake Winnebago
and extending some miles eastward the usual water formations are found, while along the Calumet River
marals conifer formations prevail. The general subsoil consists of a real marly clay, while along the banks
of the Manitowoc River are quite marked deposits of post. Calumet County, in fact, differs little in its natural
features from Manitowoc. The same grains thrive - wheat, corn, barley, oats, etc. The working of the dairy
products is also profitable. Valuable stone quarries exist in the northeast and the west, and will prove a source
of wealth to the county. Considered in a sanitary point of view, Calumet is favorably located, escaping as it
does, many of the damp and unhealthy winds of Lake Michigan; and yet, having Lake Winnebago to the west,
it avoids the hot, dry seasons of localities farther towards the interior of the State. Its average elevation is 350
feet above Lake Michigan.
Calumet County has obtained a reputation over the State and beyond for the excellent quality of her cheese.
Thirty factories are scattered in different towns. Stockbridge takes the lead in this industry; but the whole region
bordering the lake is splendidly adapted to the raising of the dairy products. The western slope of Calumet
County toward Lake Winnebago is in fact the agricultural district par excellence.
The agricultural Society was organized in June, 1878. O.R. Potter was elected president, a vice-president
being chosen from each town.
The name of this county is suggestive of peace and its attendant arts. Nor is the suggestion is a spacious
one, for the history of this region has but few, if any, counterparts in the country. The pipe of peace between the
aboriginal and the invading races was smoked by those who saw the inevitable approach of civilization; and
the county presents the anomaly of having first been redeemed from native wilderness from the race which
formerly possessed the rights of savage ownership.
The immediate derivalion of the name was a menonomee village, lying upon the east shore of Lake
Winnebago, in what is now the town of Calumet in Fond du Lac County.
Copyright 1997 - 2005 by Debie Blindauer
All Rights Reserved