Village History

In 1903 the Village of North Fond du Lac’s application for incorporation was approved. The official census of the population totaled 1511 people. The streetcar system that had been built from Fond du Lac north into (what became) North Fond du Lac in 1900 helped spur the growth of the railroad. The Wisconsin Central and Chicago & Northwestern rail roads already had shops set up in North Fond du Lac and their presence was the main factor in North Fond du Lac’s draw for people.

Over the years the railroads had their up and down times and, during those times of hardship, many residents found they had to move to other communities to continue their employment and maintain their seniority. Sometimes they returned to the Village, but many times they did not. So the history of the village has been strongly tied to the history of the railroads.

By the end of 1903 a village hall had been built and dedicated. The fire department which was organized in 1901 became part of the village services in 1904 and water services were furnished that same year by the Sand Rock Water Company. The company was later purchased by the village.

As people started to build new homes, the village continued its growth. Homes built south of Harrison street were part of the Village of North Fond du Lac; homes built to the north of Harrison street were in an area called New Fond du Lac. New Fond du Lac has become part of North Fond du Lac over the years and the village has continued to grow and expand.

Churches were also already in placed by the time the village was incorporated in 1903. Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist churches were all built in the village by 1903 and Presentation Parish, St. Paul’s Lutheran, and Community Methodist churches are still an important part of life in the village. Divine Savior Lutheran Church became a part of North Fond du Lac in 1976.