3

 
 
 
 
          These noted French explorers, Joliet and Marquette, having 
      also passed by the site of future Omro likewise never gave a 
      thought that one day years later their names would be linked with 
      the Omro area history. Yet, in 1973, in commemoration of the 
      300th anniversary of their historic exploration of 1673, a group 
      of voyageurs traveled the same route; they started out with two 
      canoes from St. Ignace, Michigan, paddled along the shore of Green

      Bay, up the Fox river, stopping a short while in Omro, and on to 
      Portage. There they portaged over to the Wisconsin and on to the 
      Mississippi river. 
 
          Nicolas Perrot and others, perhaps Sieur de LaSalle, Louis 
      Hennepin, Henry de Tonti, Father Rene Menard, Daniel Grayson du 
      LtHut (Duluth) may also have paddled by the Omro site traveling 
      the same route to cross the state. Through the explorations of 
      these men, and because of Frenchmen who settled in this area, 
      Wisconsin came under the jurisdiction of France from 1634 to 1763.

 
          Any of these Frenchmen would be amazed at the change that has 
      taken place in the area that is now Omro. If they paddled through 
      the city today the buildings they might accept having known cities,

      but what would certainly puzzle them would be the cars, trucks, 
      motor boats, semis, and snowmobiles roaring, humming, and sputter-

      ing about. And above all they might be dumbfounded at the manner 
      in which the people are dressed! 
di/30),>Years later the Fox river was used, not by explorers, but, by

      the militia. During 1827 quite a large force of Americans went 
      through here on their way to Fort Winnebago at the Portage. That 
      same year a treaty was made with the Moenominees at Butte des Morts.

 
    / ji - In 1828 the 5th U.S. Infantry came through here from St. Louis

*i (  on their way to Fort Howard.   The water at Portage was so high 
      they floated their barges from the Wisconsin into the Fox without 
      unloading. Thus, in the early years the river was a notable water 
      highway.