Chinatown, Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Monroe: houses, buying, restaurants)

[Master Jay]

Good morning all,

Anyone out there familiar with Chinatown, Wisconsin (or had heard of it?!?).

I actually heard about it last year, when going to Dundee, WI. And yesterday I drove through Chinatown.

I did a bit of research. Apparently in the 1950's, people from places like Milwaukee and Chicago were buying land and building summer homes in the northeast section of Long Lake.

It sounds like, per the other residents that already had homes there on the west side of the lake (the good side of the tracks (lake), apparently), had certain opinions of the houses being built across the lake. It sounds like they felt their new neighbors were building shoddier homes, and first referred to it as "Shantytown".... And because of the concern with possible high tides, stilts were placed under the houses being built, and so it was equated with how "Chinese" would make their houses, and so the name became "Chinatown".

I certainly did not see anyone that resembled possibly being of Chinese descent. But then again, I didn't see EVERY resident yesterday.

[snerk]

That's really interesting. I wasn't aware of it but now I want to see it.

Maybe next time you can see every resident. Quite an undertaking.

[Master Jay]

snerk, good morning.

Going to use good old Wikipedia to research this one...

Chinatown is one of the unincorporated communities of Osceola, a town in Fond du Lac County.

As of 2000, there was 0.0% Asians!

Heck, I didn't even see any Chinese restaurants on my trip around there.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

Looks like a pretty obscure town. Not even on Streetview.

Interesting name origin; I just sent the Wikipedia article to a couple friends.

I don't think I realized how dense with small lakes Wisconsin is. Pretty similar to Minnesota.

[Master Jay]

TheTimidBlueBars, good afternoon!

I must admit, as much of an urban guy that I am, I also enjoy the backroad drives, the lajes, the little towns, etc. that Wisconsin has to offer.

[Kraftask]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

TheTimidBlueBars, good afternoon!

I must admit, as much of an urban guy that I am, I also enjoy the backroad drives, the lajes, the little towns, etc. that Wisconsin has to offer.

If you wanna see the ultimate Wisconsin showcase, you should check out New Glarus, WI & Monroe, WI. Very picturesque, you could tour the backroads & see the barn quilts, & check out the Spotted Cow brewery, & see the only place in the western hemisphere that still produces Limberger cheese.

[Master Jay]

Kraftask, good afternoon. How are you, my friend?

Historically, Spotted Cow bear is loved by Chicagoland people. My friends there ask me to bring them some, when I come down to visit them.

[Kraftask]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Kraftask, good afternoon. How are you, my friend?

Historically, Spotted Cow bear is loved by Chicagoland people. My friends there ask me to bring them some, when I come down to visit them.

I'm doing well. I'm not sure about any Chinatowns up there. But i know there's a lot of Swiss ancestry in Green county WI.

[Kraftask]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Good morning all,

Anyone out there familiar with Chinatown, Wisconsin (or had heard of it?!?).

I actually heard about it last year, when going to Dundee, WI. And yesterday I drove through Chinatown.

I did a bit of research. Apparently in the 1950's, people from places like Milwaukee and Chicago were buying land and building summer homes in the northeast section of Long Lake.

It sounds like, per the other residents that already had homes there on the west side of the lake (the good side of the tracks (lake), apparently), had certain opinions of the houses being built across the lake. It sounds like they felt their new neighbors were building shoddier homes, and first referred to it as "Shantytown".... And because of the concern with possible high tides, stilts were placed under the houses being built, and so it was equated with how "Chinese" would make their houses, and so the name became "Chinatown".

I certainly did not see anyone that resembled possibly being of Chinese descent. But then again, I didn't see EVERY resident yesterday.

From what i've read is Chinatowns are mostly on the East & West coasts & Chicago in the Midwest but fun fact, St. Louis used to have a Chinatown before it was demolished to build Busch Stadium.