At Emrick LakeCampground and Resort, we’re proud to have been voted Wisconsin’s #1 campground, but we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the natural beauty and splendor afforded by Marquette County. In a region that boasts over 100 lakes, including our very own Emrick Lake, nature lovers and families seeking adventures can find plenty to do!

But MarquetteCounty and the city of Oxford, where we are based, also have rich histories that make them ideal destinations for the history buffs in your crew. Let’s take a look at the Marquette County story!

About Marquette County and Oxford, Wisconsin

Marquette County sits in central southern Wisconsin and has a total population of 15,592residents, as of the 2020 census. Originally part of the Wisconsin Territory that was created in 1836, it later was officially designated as its own official county when the state was admitted into the Union in 1848. The county seat is Montello.

Oxford, Wisconsin,meanwhile, sits on the far western edge of Marquette County and has a totalpopulation of 537 residents as of the 2020 census. Officially, Oxford is avillage and resides within the town of Oxford, which has a total population of859 residents. The village and town are located approximately an hour north ofMadison by car, and two hours northwest of Milwaukee.

Exploring the History of the Region

Long before its official formation and founding in 1836 and 1848, respectively, MarquetteCounty had been making a name for itself in Midwest and American history. Here are some key events:

• In 1634 the region that later became Marquette County was visited by Jean Nicolet, who has been identified as the first European to enter the area now known asWisconsin. Nicolet served as a diplomat and interpreter to Canada’s FirstNations peoples, learning both the Algonquin and Iroquoian languages. To further trade relations in the area, Nicolet was sent west, exploring many parts of what became Wisconsin, including Marquette County, establishing relationships with indigenous tribes.
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• In the 1660s, the area was further explored by missionaries who traveled westward and southward from Green Bay to contact Native Americans and spread word about their religion.
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• Additional explorations continued into the 1670s, and during this time Jesuit Allouez missions were erected in the nearby regions of Green Bay, Winneconne, Oshkosh,St. Marie, and Moundsville.
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• In 1673, French Jesuit explorer Jacques Marquette passed through the area as part of an expedition and stayed with the local Mascouten tribe. The village township, and county of Marquette were later named in his honor.
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• Meanwhile, on the southwest end of what would later become Wisconsin, missionary and trading activities were developing from the 1750s to the 1780s, with a Frenchfort being established at Prairie du Chien in 1755. This greatly impacted Wisconsin commerce and helped to shape the region. Trading further impacted the region when Luther Gleason, originally of Vermont, created a trading post in the Marquette area in 1829.
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• On July 3, 1836, the Territory of Wisconsin was created and incorporated into theUnited States, which included the land for present-day Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, along with portions of North and South Dakota. Elements of the area had been part of previously established territories, including the NorthwestTerritory, the Louisiana Purchase, The Missouri Territory, and the Michigan Territory. Wisconsin was formally admitted into the United States as a state in1848.
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• In 1849, naturalist John Muir, later known as the “Father of the National Parks,”settled in Marquette County along with his parents. A portion of their original land is now part of Fountain Lake Farm, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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• The village of Oxford, Wisconsin was incorporated on September 4, 1912.
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• Today, Oxford and Marquette County are known for their plentiful outdoor activities made possible by the many lakes, rivers, trout streams, bike and hiking trails, and other features the region contains.

Ready to Explore Marquette County? Book Your Stay with Us!

If you’re looking to take a step back in time and discover Marquette County’s history, while having an absolute blast engaging in great outdoors activities, Emrick LakeCampground and Resort is your destination!

Reserve a cabin online today so you can have a base of operations for all your travels while reveling in our kayaking, pickleball, petting zoo, private lake, swimming pool, playground and more!