Few people had as great an impact on Wausau/Central Wisconsin as Walter McIndoe. When McIndoe arrived in the late 1840s, the area was called Big Bull Falls. He played a major role in renaming the town Wausau, a Chippewa word meaning 'a far away place,' and became known himself as the 'father of Wausau.' McIndoe was also instrumental in establishing Marathon County on February 9, 1850. At that time, the county stretched all the way to Lake Superior and Wausau was named the county seat. Today, Marathon County is the largest of Wisconsin's 72 counties and continues to prosper from the efforts of those in the past.

With such a vast amount of land came many opportunities for industry. Logging camps, the paper industry, and dairy farms appeared all over the landscape. Soon, Marathon County became a melting pot for many ethnic groups, each bringing knowledge and hopes for a bright future. The customs they contributed can still be seen in many of the events and celebrations today. Discover how the area's earliest residents created this rich heritage that we enjoy today by visiting our historical attractions, taking an auto tour of the countryside, or attending an event.