Early Norwegian Settlements: Waukesha & Racine Counties, Wisconsin

The early Norwegian settlement commonly known as the Muskego Settlement developed across an area that today lies in both Waukesha and Racine Counties.

When the first Norwegian settlers arrived in 1839, Waukesha County had not yet been established. The area around Muskego that later became part of Waukesha County was still within Milwaukee County, while the adjoining Yorkville Prairie area lay in Racine County. Waukesha County was created in 1846.

The Norwegian pioneers did not establish two separate settlements according to these county boundaries. Some settled at Muskego, while others established themselves on Yorkville Prairie and in nearby areas. As additional immigrants arrived, the settlement expanded through the forests and across the prairie and eventually covered a considerable area on both sides of the later boundary between Waukesha and Racine Counties.

The communities at Muskego, Yorkville Prairie, Norway, Pine Lake, and nearby settlements were therefore closely connected during the formative years of Norwegian immigration to Wisconsin.

This area became one of the most important centers of early Norwegian-American settlement. Norwegian immigrants began arriving in significant numbers from Telemark, Voss, Hallingdal, the Stavanger region, and other parts of Norway. The settlement also became important in the development of Norwegian-American church life and the Norwegian-language press.

Because the historical Muskego Settlement extended across two present-day counties, its history is divided here between the county pages for Waukesha County and Racine County.

For the history of the Muskego and Pine Lake settlements, see:

Waukesha County, Wisconsin

For the history of Yorkville Prairie, Norway, Racine, and the Norwegian communities in northern Racine County, see:

Racine County, Wisconsin