Wisconsin Pearls

Most pearls come from ocean clams, far away from Wisconsin. There is a special kind of pearl that has been found right here in your state. It came from a river clam. In the 1920s near Omro, many people gathered clams from the Fox River in hopes of finding pearls. To capture the clams, a fisherman would drift down the river and drag metal chains through the water. The clams would open their shell and clamp down on the chains as they passed over them. They were put in buckets and taken to shore. They were then put in pots of boiling water which cooked the clam meat. The meat was taken from the shell and each clam was carefully examined for pearls.

If there wasn't a pearl inside the clam, there was another use for the shell. Have you ever seen the inside of a clam shell. They are often very colorful and shiny. The shells were washed and sent to a factory in Fremont where they were made into beautiful buttons for clothing.

By 1970, it was believed that the clams had become nearly extinct in the Fox River. This may not be true. It has been reported that once in while, clams can be found. Maybe someday you will find a clam and inside will be a valuable pearl.

Source: Smith, M. "Clamming on the Fox" in History of Omro. Vol. 2, reprint/typescript in Omro Public Libary.

 

Omro's Scott Park:
From Dump to City Jewel

In the early 1900s, there was a low, marshy area along the Fox River in Omro, known as "Tin Can Alley." The swamp got its name from local citizens because it had become a village dump. The county superintendent of schools, H.B. Patch, was embarrassed to be living near a dump. He wanted to change Tin Can Alley into something the community could be proud of. He talked to the owner of the land, H.C. Scott. Mr. Scott offered to give the land to the village of Omro if the village would turn it into a park.

In 1911, the Omro Men's League accepted the challenge. Plans for the park were developed and some improvements were made, but the men's efforts failed. In 1912, the Women's Civic Improvement League was created to continue the project. They began by holding a fundraising event that year. At a fair, they sold canned fruit and candy, and they held a rummage sale. The women raised $804.64. Other fairs, bazaars, cookbook sales and public dinners were held for almost 20 years. These events raised $5,000 for the community park.

Other community clubs helped clean up the lagoon and establish flower beds. A swimming pool, bathhouse and dock were added later on. A pond was built, and lilies from the Fox River were brought in to grow in the pond. Many other improvements were made by a variety of community members. In 20 years, the people of the area had transformed a town dump into a beautiful park that brought people closer to the river.

Sources: Crane, R., Scott Park: Women Created Omro Scott Park. Appleton Post Crescent. August 28, 1966; Chase, M., Scott Park: A Community Project, 1909-1939, no publication date available.