Monopacataca

Many years ago, the Winnebago Indians lived in the area around Green Lake. They depended on its water for drinking, bathing and cooking. One summer, a terrible curse fell upon them and they broke out with sores and spots all over their bodies. They believed there was an evil spirit living in the lake that would harm them. Many people died, so the Indians decided to leave the area. They traveled north to a village where there were springs that would heal them. The village was called Neenah, which, in the Winnebago language, means "water coming up out of the ground."

Most of the people healed, but their chief died of the terrible sickness. A young man was chosen as the new chief. He was only 16 years old, but he was very tall, strong, and could run faster than any of the other young men. He was an excellent hunter and could shoot an arrow and throw the tomahawk very straight. The young man accepted the honor, but said, "I do not wish to be chief unless we go back to the old home which I love very much." The Winnebago people agreed and decided to give the young man a new name. He was called Monapacataca, (Mon-a-pac-a-tac-a) which means "the one who loves his home so much."

After the people moved back to Green Lake, they never again had the terrible sickness. Monapacataca was a great chief. He was the reigning chief when the earliest white settlers came to the Green Lake area in 1840. Today, descendants of these Indians still live in this area, and they call Green Lake county Manapacataca because they love it so much.

Source: Hameley, Rev. E. "Monapacataca, Wisconsin Indian Lore," 1933, typescript at Berlin Public LIbrary.

One family has spent many years giving to Green Lake. They have learned about its waters. They have known each cove and bay. They have learned about the nature surrounding the lake and have helped others to know it. In return, the lake has given to them. It has provided fish to catch, and a place to boat. It has provided a way of life for many generations.

The first of the family to settle near Green Lake were John and Sarah Norton. They came from England. John served in the United States military and fought in the Civil War. He fought to end slavery and became a hero. He was given a reward by the government. He was paid $500 when the war was over.

John and his family were sent to Wisconsin to work at Fort Winnebago near today's city of Portage. His assignment was to cut down trees, prepare the logs, and build a new fort. In his spare time, he developed a love of the rivers and lakes in the area. He began fishing on Green Lake. Around 1880, he was discharged from the army. He used his reward money to build his family a home on Green Lake.

John and Sarah had four sons. As they grew up near the lake, the sons began to love it as much as their parents. The family began building boats in 1886. The first were small rowboats. John and his sons fished the lake and knew it well. Soon others wanted to join them. The family built more boats and became fishing guides and shared their knowledge with others. People began to travel long distances just to spend a day out on the lake. For $3.50 a person could get a boat, a guide and 50 minnows.

As boating and fishing became more popular, the Nortons built bigger boats. They started to rent boats for a day. Steamboats were used to take large groups of people out on Green Lake. People often just wanted to spend a few hours in the sunshine and to listen to the stories that their guide would tell. Until around 1929, one steamboat called "Queen of the Lake" made daily sightseeing trips around the lake. The trip cost 35 cents for an adult and 15 cents for a child. The boat picked up visitors from the many hotels that surrounded the lake. There were also moonlight boat trips, and best of all, the Norton brothers sometimes served their famous fish chowder.

As years have passed, the Norton sons and their children have kept the family tradition alive. Many people have learned to appreciate the beauty of Green Lake with the help of this family. Today, more than 100 years after John and Sarah Norton settled on its shores, Green Lake still provides fish and nature lovers with memorable visits.

Source: Heiple, R. and E.. A Heritage History of Beautiful Green Lake Wisconsin. 1976-77