Racine, Wisconsin

Racine is the county seat of Racine County, on the southeastern part of Wisconsin. It covers 18.7 sq mi (48.4 sq km) and has a population of 80,000 people (2012 estimate), making it the fifth largest city in Wisconsin. Racine is located at the south of the Root River as it empties into Lake Michigan.

McClurg Building (NRHP listed), Racine, Wisconsin
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McClurgBuildingRacineWisconsin.jpg
Author: Richie Diesterheft


The history of Racine goes back to 1699, when a party of French explorers entered the Root River and established a trading post in the area. They named it Racine, which means "root" in French. Then in 1834, Captain Gilbert Knapp founded the port settlement of Port Gilbert in an area previously called Kipi Kawi by the indigenous tribe. The name Port Gilbert never caught on, and when the community was incorporated in 1848, the name Racine was chosen.

In the 19th century Racine received successive waves of immigrants including Danes, Germans and Czechs. It claims to have the largest congregation of ethnic Danes in North America outside of Greenland.

Racine is said to the where William Horlick invented a malted milk beverage in 1887 and called it Horlicks. It is home to a number of major companies including S.C. Johnson & Son (formerly Johnson's Wax) and heavy equipment manufacturer J.I. Case.

Wind Point Lighthouse, Wisconsin
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wind_Point_Lighthouse_071104_edit2.jpg
Author: JeremyA

Visiting Racine

Racine is located off Interstate 94. Turn off the highway at Exit 333.

Places of Interest in Racine

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