Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Portage Memories

Because of its strategic location between the Saint Lawrence and Mississippi rivers, many indigenous tribes passed through Portage to trade furs, first with the French, then the British and finally the Americans. Portage Memories is a celebration of the character of a town, its residents and the stories they have to tell about their past as a mirror of the entire state.
Watch the full Wisconsin Hometown Stories series: pbswisconsin.org/watch/wiscon...
Chapters
1:06 Intro
4:08 Finding Fort Winnebago
10:49 Historic Homes
15:16 Rails
20:26 Hobo Jungle
22:36 Picturing Portage

[@simsimdabear]

My entire family is from portage and spend many summers there. It is so amazing to see and watch this and hear the road I run and walk on when I come back is 10000 years old ❤

[@Kurtthecarguy]

I can also say I had the pleasure of having mr. Fred Galley take all of my school photos I love that man in this contribution to history

[@hectorsmommy1717]

His dad took all my school photos.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

Born and raised there and my ancestors first settled in the 1840's so my roots go very deep. Other ancestors came through in the 1830's on their way to settle the Mississippi riverfront in Grant County. Wonderful town to grow up in. Fun to see my best friend's house featured (the brick house where Judy talked about restoring the porch. I remember well when the Foley's did that) Also nice to see Baldy Rapa again. He was the butcher at the Stop and Shop my Dad owned with his brother and, after that closed, he went to the Super Value with Uncle John and stayed with him until retirement. Great man and a character.

[@sharonnielsen2448]

I grew up in Portage.This video is very interesting. I had a grandpa who was a conductor and great uncle worked in round house,a uncle was engineer . I got to travel on Milwaukee road a lot . Good memories!

[@Isaacfra]

Love from Milwaukee

[@Kurtthecarguy]

I am proud to say that I was raised in the small town I was a resident from 2000 to 2022 I did absolutely love all of the rich history of this town that I had the fortunate chance to grow up and only years later did I realize what an impact it had on history

[@alxxa41]

I moved to Portage around 1947-40 so my dad Alex Alexander could take over my grandfather Bill Brauers candy store which had moved from downtown to 701 Prospect Ave. The store closed in 1958 or so. I graduated PHS with the class of 1960. I lived with my aunt and uncle Bill and Martha Brauer on West Conant St. I was in a band called The Orbits and then went on the road with several bands and moved to Minnesota in 1970. Been here ever since. Lot of fond memories of 5th ward Marsh. Silver Lake and many friends. I could go on for hours but will call it quits for now. Wm E Alexander

[@hectorsmommy1717]

I have a very vague memory of that store when I was little since we lived in the 800 block of Prospect. By the time I formed concrete memories we were going to the store on Pierce and Wisconsin (First Taylor's, then Holmes")

[@larrysorenson4789]

Family from Rhinelander, Minoqua, Eagle River and others. Hundred years of history was erased by WW2. The boys wanted more than the North Woods could provide. But we always cherished the people snd stories of our 100 year history prior to the war. It was the best of times.

[@dathorndike4908]

I lived in Cambria which is only a short distance from Portage. I worked a summer at the Pizza Hut in Portage in 1991 I believe.

[@1927su]

Wonderful program! Wisconsin history is so neat & these hometown programs are so well done! Thank you!

[@dathorndike4908]

I spent time in the Columbia County Jail in Portage!

[@eric5250]

Remember when those 3 cops threatened to burn down a house that someone who filled a complaint on them.