Kenosha, WI

Kenosha is a city located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 25,521 at the 2010 census. The city is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

The first Europeans to visit what would become Kenosha were French missionaries in 1673. The Potawatomi Indians had been living in the area for centuries before that. In 1836, General William Henry Harrison led an American army into present-day Kenosha during his campaign against the Sauk and Fox Indians. After defeating these tribes, Harrison established a military post near what is now downtown Kenosha called Fort Howard. This fort served as a supply depot for Harrison's army during its march to victory over the British at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.

In 1845, General James Burdick established a trading post on Lake Michigan near what is now downtown Kenosha called Fort Dearborn Heights after his predecessor's fort had been destroyed by fire. This post became an important stop on the Underground Railroad as it served as a way station for slaves escaping to freedom northward through Illinois and then down into Wisconsin Territory. In 1865, following Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Union troops under General John Logan occupied Fort Dearborn Heights and used it as their headquarters during their occupation of Milwaukee following Lincoln's death.

In 1870, railroad magnate George Pullman built a company town near what is now downtown Kenosha called Pullman City which was designed to be model community complete with its own schools, churches and businesses modeled after those found in Chicago at that time. However, when workers began striking for better wages and conditions in 1894, many of them moved into nearby communities such as Waukesha and Racine instead leading to financial ruin for Pullman City which was eventually abandoned in 1897.

In 1917, local businessmen formed the Kenosha Development Company (KDC) with the goal of bringing industry to town following World War I which had caused many cities across America to experience economic decline due to mass unemployment caused by industrialization. KDC successfully lured several major companies including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (GT&C), International Harvester (IH), Sears Roebuck & Company (Sears), Western Electric Company (WEC) and National Cash Register Corporation (NCR) all of whom established plants within KDC's boundaries between 1917-1929 contributing significantly to both job growth and economic stability within Kenosha during this time period . In 1923 KDC merged with two other development companies - The Park Cities Corporation Ltd., based out of Toronto Canada;and The South Shore Corporation Ltd., from Boston - forming what would become known as The Kenosha Development Corporation or KDC which still exists today as one of Wisconsin’s largest real estate development firms with over $4 billion worth of projects currently underway throughout the state including both residential and commercial properties . In 1925 KDC constructed its first office building - One Financial Plaza - which still stands today adjacent to Interstate 94 just south of downtown . In 1927 GT&C opened its new plant employing 1,500 workers while IH opened its new plant employing 2200 workers just east of downtown . That same year NCR opened its new plant employing 2200 workers just north eastof downtown while WEC opened its new plant employing 1000 workers just south westof downtown . These four plants collectively accounted for more than 50%of all jobs created within KDC’s boundaries between 1917-1929 . By 1929 there were an estimated 10 thousand people working within KDC’s boundaries making it one of Wisconsin’s most successful business ventures ever . However , with America entering into recession beginning in late 1929 , employment at these four plants began declining rapidly leading ultimately to bankruptcy for all four companies by 1931 resulting in widespread layoff s throughout town culminating in riots breaking out among employees culminating on May 3rd 1931 when approximately 2000 people rioted , burned down several businesses , looted stores , shot up cars and clashed violently with police resulting in 23 arrests and 4 injuries including 2 fatalities .. Following this event Governor Al Smith declared martial law throughout KenosHA county leading directlytothe establishmentofthe WisconsinNational Guardwhichwasdeployedintotheareauntilitsdisbandmentin1935 .. Although much has changed since 1931 – most notably suburbanization – Downtown KenoshafoundationsremainstrongtodayincludingmultiplerestaurantsandnightlifeoptionsalongwithseveralmuseumssuchasTheGeorge MasonDollCollectionandThe WisconsinVeteransMuseumwhicharebothopenforvisitationanytimeoftheweekwithoutadiscount ..