OAHT 1512: Fowler Park
Before it became Fowler Park, this area was the city’s first cemetery on these grounds prior to 1851. Records show about 25 gravesites were once here and then moved to the Oconomowoc Cemetery in 1851. Fowler Lake was formed when the first dam was built in 1837 at the Oconomowoc River’s entrance to Lac La Belle.
This property of seven acres was bought on March 16, 1867 by Dr. James A. Henshall, M.D. He developed America’s first private fish hatchery here, between 1860 and 1870. Late 1867 Henshall’s mansion was completed. In 1945, this site was donated to the city as a park by Ida M. Binzel and Mrs. E.C. Theobald, members of an Oconomowoc pioneer family (Binzel Brewery). The beautiful mansion was razed in 1964 and a pavilion was built in its place.
Only 2 original building remain on the property, the Coach House now used by the Boy Scouts and the Boat House, used by the Girl Scouts.
Permission was granted to hide this cache by: Bryan Spencer Parks & Forestry Superintendent
