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Appleton, Wisconsin

Located in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, Appleton was established in 1853. Harry Houdini grew up in Appleton. The world's first Edison hydroelectric station was here in 1882.
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Founded 1853 | Population 75,000 | Peak 75,000 (2024) | County Outagamie County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Appleton, Wisconsin

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1853 Founded: Fox River community.
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1882 First Hydroelectric Plant: First Edison hydroelectric station in the world.
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1903 Economic Development: Appleton grew through the automobile industry.
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1908 Harry Houdini: Houdini grew up in Appleton.
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1950 McCarthy Era: Senator Joe McCarthy from Appleton.
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Latest News in Appleton

Mar 24, 2016
Wisconsin Begins Drug Testing Food Stamp Recipients
MADISON, Wis. — On March 24, 2016, Wisconsin became the latest state to roll out a controversial drug-testing requirement for ce…
Feb 24, 2016
Knoxville Iowa Refuses Remove Display Soldier Kneeling Cross
Knoxville, Iowa – In a small Iowa town that often flies under the radar, residents dug in their heels last week over a memorial …
Feb 21, 2016
Pregnant Horse Sexually Assaulted Wisconsin Farm
WISCONSIN — On a quiet farm in rural Wisconsin, a disturbing act of animal cruelty unfolded last week, leaving locals shocked an…
Jan 2, 2016
Wisconsin School Board Considering Ban Muppets Book 0
Madison, Wisconsin (January 2, 2016) — In a move that stirred up plenty of talk around town, the local school board here was wei…
Nov 19, 2015
Company Inserts Microchips its Employees Hands
RIVER FALLS, Wisconsin — In a move that blurred the line between technology and the human body, a local company made headlines i…
Oct 5, 2015
Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker Signs Concealed Carry Bills
Madison, Wisconsin (October 5, 2015) — Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker put his signature on a pair of bills that loosened restri…

Complete Historical Timeline

1853 Culture
Founded
1882 Science
First Hydroelectric Plant
1903 Industry
Economic Development
1908 Culture
Harry Houdini
1950 Politics
McCarthy Era

Did You Know?

1
Harry Houdini grew up in Appleton.
2
The world's first Edison hydroelectric station was here in 1882.
3
Senator Joseph McCarthy, of the Red Scare, was from Appleton.
4
Appleton is located in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
5
Appleton was founded in 1853.

Famous People from Appleton, Wisconsin

WD
Willem Dafoe
Screenwriter, Performing Artist · Born Jul 22, 1955 · Age 70
JL
Jeff Loomis
Composer, Guitarist · Born Sep 14, 1971 · Age 54
TZ
Terry Zwigoff
Screenwriter, Musician · Born May 18, 1949 · Age 76
GS
Greta Van Susteren
Lawyer, Television Presenter · Born Jun 11, 1954 · Age 71
SK
Steven Krueger
Actor, Television Actor · Born May 25, 1989 · Age 36

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