~ History of the Wisconsin Dells Area

Wisconsin Dells History

According to Native American legend it was a great serpent, wriggling down from the north and his home near the Big Lake that formed the bed of the Wisconsin River. Crawling over the forests and the fields, his huge body wore an immense groove in the land and the water rushed in behind him. When he came to the sandstone ridge where the Dells begin he thrust his great head into a crevice between the rocks and pushed them aside to form a narrow, winding passage. At his approach lesser serpents fled, forming the canyons which lead off from the main channel. It was these timid, lesser serpents that formed Coldwater Canyon and Witches' Gulch, so the legend goes.

The Wisconsin River has long played an integral role in the lives of the people who have lived along its banks. Beginning in the mid-1800, it began supporting the people in the area as never before. Dells River pilot Leroy Gates was among the first to recognize the potential of the area's majestic scenery as a tourist attraction. He began taking visitors up and down the Wisconsin River in rowboats to view the river's unique banks and to share the charm of the "Dells".

Early settlers to the area traded fur, but in the mid-1800's a new railroad made Wisconsin Dells easily accessible, thus acting as an impetus for new commerce - tourism. Leroy Gates' ideas became the example to follow. With visions grander than rowboats, Captain Abe Wood began the first steamboat travel on the beautiful Wisconsin River in 1873.

Today, Wisconsin Dells' diverse attractions entertain visitors of all ages and interests - year-round. The fun ranges from the traditional scenic tours and championship golf courses to the nation's largest water parks and mini-golf courses. Along with attractions, first-class lodging facilities, restaurants and shops contribute to the success of the area. Wisconsin Dells has grown impressively form the first excursion on the Wisconsin River to a year-round travel destination with 6,900 hotel rooms, 3,099 campsites, 80 attractions, 80 restaurants and 100 shops.