Introduction to Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, Wisconsin is 76 miles NW of Appleton, Wisconsin and 158 miles NW of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is in Marathon County.
Wausau History
Wausau was first settled in the mid 1800s. French explorers called the area Big Bull Flats or Big Bull Falls. The Chippewa Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the area. The federal government purchased the land in 1836. In Ojibwe language, the name of the city means "a place which can be seen from far away" or "a faraway place." Wausau was established as a town in 1852 and incorporated as a village in 1861. August Kickbusch, Sr. became its first mayor in the year 1874. The first railroad entered the city in 1874. It is the county seat of Marathon County, which was founded in 1807.
Wausau and nearby Attractions
- Grand Avenue Shopping Center
- Rib Mountain State Park
- Marathon County Historical Museum
- Mountain - Bay State Trail
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
- Council Grounds State Park
Things To Do In Wausau
Wausau is home to many parks and playgrounds. These include the Schulenberg Park, Pleasant View Park, Oak Island Park, Marathon Park, D C Everest Park, and Hammond Park. The Marathon County Historical Society Museum and Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum are popular destintions. The Wausau Center Mall Shopping Center, Grand Avenue Shopping Center, and Riverside Plaza Shopping Center are the local shopping centers. Local celebrations include Big Bull Falls Blues Festival, Wisconsin Valley Fair, and Festival of Arts.
Wausau Transportation
Central Wisconsin Airport is nearby.
Wausau Higher Education
Northcentral Technical College is the local college. Others nearby include the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College at Appleton.