The Untold Story of the Wisconsin City That Vanished Overnight

Long before there was the Waterpark Capital of the World, there was a little town called Newport. But this Wisconsin town vanished as quickly as it appeared. In fact, today, you’d be hard-pressed to find any trace of the place. Read on to learn about the former Wisconsin town of Newport, a community on the river that simply disappeared.

Newport was officially founded in the mid 1800s in Sauk County. It was located along a bend in the Wisconsin River that was important in the lumber days—it was a place workers could regroup after floating logs through a difficult stretch of water. People began building plots in the area in the 1840s, and development began. A dam was built on a creek, in a marshy area that’s now Lake Delton, and a mill was constructed.

While the river offered strategic value for commerce and travel, word came out that something exciting was coming to the area: the LaCrosse and Milwaukee Railroad. A railroad crossing would be extremely important to the businesses and residents in this little town.

In 1853, with the hopes that the train and a bridge would be coming, the town was formally platted. There was even a Jones Street. Lots quickly began selling for hundreds of dollars to speculative buyers—a lot of money in those days. The town was eventually expected to have a canal connecting to the river, about 10,000 residents, a depot, and warehouses. People began establishing businesses and lives in the town, and about 1,500 people lived here at one point.

The town’s downfall came quickly. Due to some other dealmaking along the river, a dam and that all-important railroad crossing were built upstream in a place called Kilbourn City.

People rushed to move out and deserted Newport. By 1856, residents were moving their houses. Soon, this Wisconsin town vanished. For a long time, the only surviving building was an opulent stone building called Dawn Manor. Even that building came to an end. The town that was called Kilbourn City was eventually renamed Wisconsin Dells. Today, it's a busy place that attracts millions of visitors each year with its waterparks, outdoor attractions, scenic beauty, and lively entertainment.

I was aware of another former place called Newport, and that town is located in Newport State Park. But I had no idea of this town’s history. If you are looking for other historic places to visit in Wisconsin, check out these hidden gems with a rich history, and learn about some of the oldest towns in the state.

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