8. Waukesha County, Wis. Population: 380,985
Going up the list of Forbes' America's Best Places to Raise a Family, we head away from Pennsylvania to the rolling hills and shining lakes of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Once called "Cow County USA," Waukesha has moved
up and beyond your typical cow county.
Created in 1846 out of Milwaukee County, it is taken from the Pottawatomi word "waugooshance" which means "little foxes." Conveniently located 15 miles west of Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, it is also 60 miles east of Madison and 100 miles south of Green Bay. Short commutes abound with Waukesha's proximity to the interstate, providing quick access to business, retail and recreation.
Besides the beautiful landscape Waukesha has to offer, there are the never-ending recreation opportunities. With 77 lakes, 21,000 acres of public parks, 129 miles of hiking and biking, nature centers 10 campgrounds and 20 challenging public golf courses, Waukesha is a sportsman's paradise. This even stretches into the wintertime, with 70 cross country ski trails and 200 miles of snowmobile trails available.
Even with the variety of things to enjoy, Waukesha County continues to show their pride in their history. Once the site of enormous glaciers that covered the area, this phenomenon left behind rolling hills, wide lakes and limestone quarries in its wake. Waukesha was home to prehistoric Indians and in the 1700's, to fur traders. When settlers arrived in the mid-1800's, they discovered four earthen mounds in the forms of birds and turtles, left behind by the Indians that made them. The quarries of Waukesha County were put to great use in the late 1800's when many cities experienced fires frequently, destroying their wood frame buildings. Railroads transported Waukesha's stone to cities such as Chicago and others with such damage.
Going up the list of Forbes' America's Best Places to Raise a Family, we head away from Pennsylvania to the rolling hills and shining lakes of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Once called "Cow County USA," Waukesha has moved
Created in 1846 out of Milwaukee County, it is taken from the Pottawatomi word "waugooshance" which means "little foxes." Conveniently located 15 miles west of Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, it is also 60 miles east of Madison and 100 miles south of Green Bay. Short commutes abound with Waukesha's proximity to the interstate, providing quick access to business, retail and recreation.
Besides the beautiful landscape Waukesha has to offer, there are the never-ending recreation opportunities. With 77 lakes, 21,000 acres of public parks, 129 miles of hiking and biking, nature centers 10 campgrounds and 20 challenging public golf courses, Waukesha is a sportsman's paradise. This even stretches into the wintertime, with 70 cross country ski trails and 200 miles of snowmobile trails available.
Even with the variety of things to enjoy, Waukesha County continues to show their pride in their history. Once the site of enormous glaciers that covered the area, this phenomenon left behind rolling hills, wide lakes and limestone quarries in its wake. Waukesha was home to prehistoric Indians and in the 1700's, to fur traders. When settlers arrived in the mid-1800's, they discovered four earthen mounds in the forms of birds and turtles, left behind by the Indians that made them. The quarries of Waukesha County were put to great use in the late 1800's when many cities experienced fires frequently, destroying their wood frame buildings. Railroads transported Waukesha's stone to cities such as Chicago and others with such damage.
Published by Sarah F. Sullivan
College graduate, slowly but surely getting used to what philosophers and cynics call "The Real World." I love writing both fiction and non-fiction. View profile
America's Best Places to Raise a Family: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Following close behind sister county, Chester, in the Forbes listing of America's Best Places to Raise a Family is Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Created in 1784 out of land o...
Morris County, New Jersey: One of America's Best Places to Raise a Family
Morris County, New Jersey, is No. 6 on Forbes' list of America's Best Places to Raise a Family. Located 30 miles northwest of New York City, it offers multi-million-dollar shopping malls,.
Why New York City is a Great Place to Raise a Family
Many may think that raising a family in New York City is an oxymoronic phrase. BUT, New York City is actually one of the best places to raise a family, for the following reasons:
A Review of Miniature Golf Courses in Waukesha County, Wisconsin
In Waukesha County, there are several mini golf courses to choose from, each with their own positives and negatives.
A Review of Libraries in Waukesha County, Wisconsin
A review of Waukesha County's Pewaukee, Delafield, Oconomowoc, and Waukesha libraries.
|
|
Type in Your Comments Below
Nancy Tracy
08/18/2008
Sounds like a great place to raise children, although 30 degrees in winter is still too cold in my book. I'd actually have to buy a winter coat!!
Comment 1 (of 1)