Why are we celebrating 150 years?
Wausau is celebrating 150 years in 2022, and we're throwing a year-long celebration to recognize the local businesses, people and events that make our city great. Throughout the year we will host events, social media campaigns and share history of the city we all call home. Technically, Wausau is much older than 150 years, but the city wasn't known as "Wausau" until 1872.
How do I participate?
We all love celebrations! Stay tuned to our events page to see the many events that will be happening to #CelebrateWausau in 2022. There will be one main event each month, along with engagement on social media channels, with history shared via YouTube, Public Access and right here on our website! Our large celebration will take place in July throughout the city!
Where did "Big Bull Falls" come from?
The early European explorers traveling along the Wisconsin River noted a few locations with impressive rapids on their maps. These were often named "Bull Falls" as the sound of the rapids in the distance sounded like a roaring bull. Because these rapids also happened to be great spots to power sawmills, they were often settled by the early lumberjacks who were coming up to harvest the Great White Pinery of North Central Wisconsin. Eventually these communities decided to rebrand, and so "Little Bull Falls" became Mosinee and "Big Bull Falls" became Wausau.