1700History
== History ==
Before 1700, this region was inhabited by Potawatomi peoples descended from Woodland Indians known as "mound builders".
1827Government
Vicau established a trading post in 1827.
1830History
White settlers soon followed, beginning in 1830.
1837History
In April 1837, New York native Charles Sheldon staked a 160-acre claim on the eastern shore of what is now Fowler Lake, registering it with the Land Bank of Milwaukee on April 2...
1840Economy
The first recorded birth was that of Eliza Jane Dewey on January 19, 1840, in the lodgings above a chair factory located at 116 N.
1841Civil Rights
The first recorded death was that of Jerusha Foster, who died somewhere between the ages of 30 and 36 on March 19, 1841.
1844Government
Oconomowoc was incorporated as a town in 1844, although residents had to go to Summit to get their mail until 1845.
1850History
The Watertown Plank Road was extended to connect Oconomowoc to the nearby towns of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Pewaukee, and Watertown in 1850.
1851Architecture
Originally called Henshall Place, it opened in 1851 on land that is now part of Fowler Park.
1853Economy
Such infrastructure encouraged further settlement, and by 1853 the town grew to a population of 250, with ten stores, three hotels, one gristmill, and one sawmill (both located ...
1854Culture
The first passenger train from Milwaukee arrived in Oconomowoc on December 14, 1854, as part of the Milwaukee and Watertown Railroad Company's rapidly expanding Milwaukee & Miss...
1864Government
When the grounds became overcrowded, Charles Sheldon donated land for a new cemetery, and in 1864 the Wisconsin Legislature approved the transfer of burials from Walnut Street t...
1865Government
The population grew so much that Oconomowoc incorporated as a city in 1865, and by 1880 it had a population of 3,000.
1899Sports
In August 1899 a professional golf tournament hosted by the Oconomowoc Country Club was won by Harry Turpie.
1913Architecture
The church, which was built in 1913, was completely destroyed, except for the frame of its bell tower, which later had to be torn down as it was at risk of collapse.
1939Culture
== In popular culture ==
The Wizard of Oz premiered at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc on August 12, 1939.
1972Disaster
The source of the explosion was an old gas line that had been capped off sometime in 1972–1973; it ruptured after having been struck by a backhoe as utility work was being done ...
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2000 census, there were 12,382 people, 4,968 households, and 3,293 families living in the city.
2003History
In 2003, Oconomowoc acquired Pabst Farms from the Town of Summit.
2008History
On April 2, 2008, a gas line exploded just west of downtown, destroying the First Baptist Church on West Wisconsin Avenue.
2010History
== Demographics ==
=== 2010 census ===
As of the 2010 census, there were 15,759 people, 6,256 households, and 4,270 families living in the city.
2018Education
As of the 2018–2019 school year, Oconomowoc High School had 1,715 students.
2025History
In 2025, the City of Oconomowoc attempted to stop the Village of Lac La Belle from merging with the Town of Oconomowoc.