From Native Lands to Industrial Boom
The First Inhabitants: Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nations
Long before European settlers arrived, the land now known as Oshkosh was home to the Menominee and Ho-Chunk peoples. The Menominee, whose name means "Wild Rice People," thrived along the Fox River, utilizing its resources for sustenance and trade. The Ho-Chunk, meanwhile, were known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving seasonally across Wisconsin’s forests and prairies.
The arrival of French fur traders in the 17th century disrupted these communities, introducing new goods—and diseases. By the 19th century, U.S. government policies forced the Menominee and Ho-Chunk into smaller reservations, a painful chapter that still resonates today as Indigenous communities fight for land rights and cultural preservation.
The Birth of a Lumber Town
Oshkosh’s modern identity began in the mid-1800s, when it became a hub for Wisconsin’s lumber industry. The city was named after Chief Oshkosh of the Menominee, a controversial choice given the forced removals his people endured. Sawmills lined the Fox River, and by the 1870s, Oshkosh was one of the largest lumber producers in the world.
The wealth from lumber funded grand Victorian homes and civic buildings, many of which still stand today. But the industry’s decline by the early 20th century left Oshkosh scrambling for a new economic identity—a challenge familiar to many Rust Belt cities today.
Oshkosh in the 20th Century: War, Innovation, and Decline
The Rise of Manufacturing and the Oshkosh Corporation
As lumber faded, manufacturing took its place. The Oshkosh Corporation, founded in 1917, became a symbol of the city’s resilience. Originally producing farm equipment, it pivoted during World War II to build military vehicles—a tradition that continues today. The company’s all-terrain trucks are used by armed forces worldwide, making Oshkosh a quiet but critical player in global defense.
This shift mirrors broader trends in American industry: the move from raw materials to advanced manufacturing, and the uneasy relationship between local economies and the military-industrial complex.
The Decline of Downtown and the Mall Era
Like many Midwestern cities, Oshkosh saw its downtown decline in the 1970s and ’80s as shopping malls and suburban sprawl took over. The Fox River Mall, opened in 1984, became the new commercial heart—but at the cost of small businesses and historic storefronts.
Today, as malls across America face extinction, Oshkosh is grappling with how to revitalize its urban core. The rise of remote work and e-commerce adds another layer of complexity, forcing cities like Oshkosh to reinvent themselves yet again.
Oshkosh Today: A City at a Crossroads
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the Fight for Higher Education
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) is one of the city’s largest employers and a key driver of its economy. But like many public universities, it faces funding cuts, declining enrollment, and debates over the value of a liberal arts education.
In 2020, UWO made headlines for eliminating dozens of programs amid budget shortfalls—a microcosm of the crisis facing higher education nationwide. Meanwhile, student activism around climate change, racial justice, and tuition costs reflects broader generational shifts in priorities.
EAA AirVenture and Global Aviation Enthusiasts
Every summer, Oshkosh becomes the center of the aviation world with EAA AirVenture, a massive airshow that draws over 600,000 visitors. The event is a testament to Oshkosh’s ability to punch above its weight, but it also raises questions about sustainability.
Private aviation is a growing target of climate activists, who point to its disproportionate carbon footprint. How Oshkosh navigates this tension—balancing tourism revenue with environmental concerns—could set a precedent for other event-driven cities.
The Fox River’s Environmental Legacy
The Fox River, once the lifeblood of Oshkosh’s industry, is now a Superfund site due to PCB contamination from paper mills. Cleanup efforts have been slow and costly, a reminder of the environmental toll of industrialization.
Today, the river is both a liability and an opportunity. Kayaking and waterfront development are on the rise, but the scars of pollution remain. Oshkosh’s struggle to reconcile its industrial past with a greener future mirrors global debates over environmental justice and corporate accountability.
Oshkosh in the National Conversation
A Bellwether for Rural-Urban Divides
Politically, Oshkosh sits in a swing county (Winnebago) in a swing state (Wisconsin). Its mix of blue-collar workers, college students, and retirees makes it a microcosm of America’s political divides.
In 2016 and 2020, the region flipped between Trump and Biden, reflecting broader trends in the Midwest. The rise of populism, distrust in institutions, and economic anxiety are all palpable here—issues that will likely shape the 2024 election.
The Future of Small-City America
Oshkosh’s story is one of adaptation: from Indigenous lands to lumber, from manufacturing to education and tourism. Its challenges—economic transition, environmental cleanup, political polarization—are shared by countless communities across the U.S.
As automation, climate change, and globalization reshape the world, places like Oshkosh will be forced to innovate or fade. The choices made here in the coming years could offer lessons for small cities everywhere.