A Town Called Wilmot-- Part 1: It's a Hatch Thing

As in Wilmot, Wisconsin.

We have been to this little unincorporated place with a 442 population many times, especially now that it is about six miles from where we live.

Most of the time was to a place called the Riverside and later Mar's Trading Post Inn. When you think of a small town Wisconsin bar, this is the place you think of. It was small, but folks were friendly, food great and prices even better. It is still open now as Wilmot Riverside, but we rarely go. It just isn't the same.

Gander Mountain used to be located here as well, but now its an American Girl place.

HISTORY

Wilmot began as a settlement in western Kenosha County, but, unlike nearby Twin Lakes, Silver Lake and Paddock Lake, never obtained recognition by the government.

Lewis Hatch came from New York to become the town's first settler in 1837. Two years later, he sold his land and log house to Asabel W. Benham. He and his family had at first settled in Salem, at the intersection of today's Highway 83 and C, which was later named Benham's Corners.

In 1844, Benham built a house on the purchased Hatch property and it later became the center of what is today Wilmot. The place was named Gilead after his hometown in Connecticut.

Ten years of growth followed with mill production from the Fox River which runs through town and lots of farming. The residents of Gilead met to select a different name for the settlement. One resident named Wilbur sarcastically suggested it be called Wilmot after the current popularity of the Wilmot Proviso. That joke became the town's name even to today.

From a Gilead to a Wilmot. How About That? --Cooter