Ripon Wisconsin Info Site!
Ripon Wisconsin is located 22 miles West of Fond du Lac, 19 miles North of Waupun, 20 miles SouthWest of Oshkosh and 7 miles East of Green Lake Wisconsin.
Ripon Wisconsin's namesake is the English city of Ripon in North Yorkshire. In 1849 Ripon was founded by David P. Mapes who was a former steamboat captain also, later on, was the founder of Ripon College. Nearby, the experimental socialist commune called Ceresco had been formed five years earlier by the "Wisconsin Phalanx" led by Warren Chase. For two years after Ripon was founded, there was competition between the two communities until Ceresco was finally absorbed by Ripon. Mapes knew what he had to do to "build" his town. He got the Federal government to move the US Post Office from Ceresco to Ripon. He persuaded people to build in Ripon by giving away lots on condition that certain improvements to the community were made or that specific buildings would be erected within a certain timeframe. Once the basic framework of a community was built, then others would come without inducements. When the two communities of Ripon and Ceresco combined in 1854, they took the name of "Morena." The residents changed the name back to Ripon in 1858.
Republican Party Founded
The Republican Party was founded in a small schoolhouse in Ripon in 1854. They formed their party out of protest of the opening of Kansas and Nebraska Territories to slavery.
Ripon College
Ripon College was incorporated in 1854 as Brockway College. In 1864 the name was changed to Ripon College. The name Brockway was chosen because William Brockway bought the grand total of $300 in stock and therefore the honor of the name of the college. Famous former students of the college include: Al Jarreau, Harrison Ford, and Spencer Tracy.
Population
As of the 2000 census, the city of Ripon population was 6,828.
Alto Fair sponsered by the 4-H
The 61st annual Alto Fair, sponsored by the 4-H and the Farm Bureau will be held August 8th and 9th at the Fairgrounds in Alto. The Alto Fair is similar to a small County Fair. It begins with breakfast each morning. Last year, more than 1,000 people were served breakfast each day. Throughout the fair you will enjoy big and small tractor pulls, kids water fights, kids pedal pull, a carnival, 4-H exhibits, free stage shows, parade, horse pull, and more great activities. On Wednesday night, welcome Dan and Paula Siegman with their bluegrass gospel music. On Thursday night you will be entertained with comedy, magic and juggling from Dennis De Bondt, Dave Fleming and Ken Schulz, the "flying fool" on his unicycle. The fair will conclude Thursday night with a fireworks display.
Alto is 6.2 miles Northwest from Waupun.
Visitors To Ripon Wisconsin:
Visitors can stay at these local motels or Bed and Breakfast facilities:
AmericInn of Ripon
1-866-866-7522 or 920-748-7578
1219 West Fond du Lac Avenue
Ripon, Wisconsin
Best Western - Welcome Inn
920-748-2821
240 East Fond du Lac Avenue
Ripon, Wisconsin
Comfort Suites at Royal Ridges
920-748-5500
2 Westgate Drive
Ripon, Wisconsin
Heidel House Resort
920-294-3344
643 Illinois Avenue,
Green Lake WI 54941
Ridgewood Inn Motel
920-748-2253
1055 West Fond du Lac Avenue
Ripon, Wisconsin
The Lodge & Retreat Center at Cedar Ridge Ranch
920-748-8405
W14471 Dartford Road
Ripon, Wisconsin
The Sherlock On Watson Bed & Breakfast
920-748-7744
533 Watson Street
Ripon, Wisconsin
Hospitals:
The nearest hospital is in Berlin Wisconsin, 14 miles away from Ripon.
Berlin Memorial Hospital
225 Memorial Drive
Berlin, WI 54923
920-361-1313
Waupun Memorial Hospital (19 miles from Ripon)
620 W Brown St
Waupun, WI
920-324-5581