Community Profile

Located in the fertile heart of the "Driftless Region" - the land the Ice Age glaciers encircled, but left untouched - Platteville was settled in the mid 1820's by early Cornish lead miners. Prior to that time, the area had been home to the Winnebago Indians, who hunted and fished as their lifestyle. When a white trapper, Emmanuel Metcalf discovered samples of the mineral lead in an animal den, the economic success of the region was assured.

Major John H. Rountree and Major James B. Campbell arrived in 1827. They purchased Metcalf's lode for $3600. Rountree opened a general store, and a man named Joseph Dixon planted corn on his twenty acres. In 1829, the small community of 150 persons was named "Platteville" to commemorate the long, flat pieces of processed lead that came from the gravity fed smelting furnaces. At Rountree's direction, Thomas Hugill designed the layout of the town, styled after his own home in Yorkshire, England, to create access to the numerous mine shafts and entrances. Platteville township lands were purchased by Rountree, and others, in 1834. The first area church/school building was then erected by the Methodist Episcopal group. The Wisconsin Territory was created in 1836, and old Belmont became the capital. The village of Platteville was incorporated by the legislature in 1841, and in 1848, Wisconsin became the thirtieth state of the Union. During that time, Lorenzo Bevans, a Platteville lawyer, opened his rich mine on the site of today's superb Mining Museum attraction.

Rountree Hall, which was built in 1853 as the Platteville Academy, was deeded to the state to become the state's first Normal School. The Grant County ''Witness" newspaper began in Platteville in 1859. Nelson Dewey, the first Governor of the new state came here to become village president in 1860. In 1877, the first long distance telephone in the United States was constructed between Platteville and Lancaster by Captain W. H. Beebe.

The township population tallied at 3813, and on March 4, 1880, the City of Platteville was incorporated. In 1899, the Platteville "Journal" was first published. 1900 saw Dr. Wilson Cunningham open the first hospital west of Madison. The facility had three beds.

The Platteville Tourist Club was formed in 1903, demonstrating the city's early awareness of the importance of traveling visitors. In 1905, the "Tale Of Bunny Cottontail" book by Laura Rountree Smith was copyrighted, and the first nationally famous song book by Churchill and Grindell appeared.

The Normal School building became the Wisconsin School of Mines in 1907. The Platteville State Teachers College opened in 1925. The limestone construction of the "world's largest" M measuring 239 feet by 236 feet began in 1936, and was lit for the first time by the school of Engineering students in 1938.

The College and Mining School merged to become Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology in 1959, and was renamed Wisconsin State University at Platteville when the college received University status in 1964. Pioneer Tower, now home of the College of Business, Industry and Communications was built in 1969, and became Grant County's 'skyscraper' with its seven levels. In 1971, the University joined the state system, and is now called the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Located on three square miles, 992 feet above sea level, the City of Platteville has a rich history entwining commerce, industry, education and agriculture.

Profile

PLATTEVILLE is a university-enriched rural community located in the picturesque "Hidden Valleys" driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin.

A small town (pop. 9,651) with  BIG opportunities, Platteville proudly provides personalized  services from merchants and manufacturers alike. A  commitment to excellence is clearly demonstrated in high caliber schools, educational and  cultural programs, sports, recreational opportunities, recreational opportunities, industry, hospitality, churches, health and safety facilities.

A complete community, Platteville boasts comprehensive shopping with friendly service. Apparel, sports equipment and supplies, hardware, auto dealerships and accessories, pharmacies, service stations, groceries, florists, feed and agricultural needs, lumber, building and home furnishings items, shoes, eyeglasses, insurance, photographers, movies, bowling, beauty and barber shops, realtors, bankers, attorneys, health specialists and a full service hospital (with helicopter and ambulance access to metropolitan medical centers), plus numerous other courteous, conscientious professionals contribute to a progressive business environment.

Located in Grant County, at the intersections of Highways 80, 81 and 151, the town is a modern oasis for business and recreational visitors on the move.

In the scenic southwestern corner of the Badger State-so named from the early lead miner huts called "badgers"-Highway 151 connects the state from the southwest to the northeastern Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh lakes area four hours away. Platteville is directly served by Greyhound Bus lines. The Grant County Airport offers private and charter service to Platteville's outskirts. Airports at Dubuque, IA (30 minutes) and Madison, Wl (90 minutes) serve as connectors to major cities nationally and beyond. Situated four driving hours from downtown Chicago, three hours from Milwaukee, five from Minneapolis and two and a half hours from the Quad Cities region. Platteville becomes an easy destination for a weekend - or a lifetime!

Life in Platteville welcomes all ages. Senior citizens find special housing and meeting facilities designed just for them. Fraternal various interests. Church communities serve many denominations. The Community Players offer an amateur theatrical outlet to area residents. Young children romp in the attractive parks and pool facilities. Safety and security maintain a high priority in the Platteville police and fire protection districts.

A city manager-common council form of government assures representation and citizen input during regular and special commission meetings. An active Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development group encourage and support  business and industrial development throughout the town, from Main Street to the Mall to the newly marketed industrial development park at the city's eastern edge. The nearby Southwest Vocational Technical Institute helps prepare area workers for various job skills.

Platteville offers a special blend of peace and activity to the visitor and townspeople alike. It's a good place to work, to play, to visit, to stay!   The "Good Life" is at home in Platteville, Wisconsin.