Town of Stephenson History Town of Stephenson History

Establishment: The area was established as a town in 1897.

Name Change: Originally known as Crivitz, the town was officially renamed Stephenson in 1905.

Named For: Isaac Stephenson (1829–1918) was a prominent lumberman and political figure who influenced the region's development.

Railroad Influence: The area grew around early rail lines, with the village of Crivitz acting as a stop for the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad. 

Key Historical Developments

Village of Crivitz: The village of Crivitz, located within the town, was named by Fred Bartels after his birthplace in Germany.

Incorporation History: The village of Crivitz was incorporated in 1913, dissolved to be part of the Town of Stephenson in 1927, and incorporated again in 1974.

Industry and Geography: Located in central Marinette County, the township covers about 180 square miles and is defined by its logging history and water resources, including over 3,000 acres of flowages. 

Isaac Stephenson's Legacy

Lumber Industry: Isaac Stephenson moved to the Marinette area in 1858, expanding his lumbering operations, especially during the Civil War, say the Wisconsin Historical Society and the City of Marinette website.

The town of Stephenson was organized in 1897 with the name of Crivitz and changed to its current name in 1905. The town is named for Isaac Stephenson, a Republican member of Congress who represented Wisconsin's 9th Congressional District from 1883-1889 and a US Senator from Wisconsin from 1907-1915.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 176.8 square miles (457.9 km2), of which 169.6 square miles (439.2 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (18.7 km2) (4.08%) is water.

Includes the village of Crivitz (was Ellis Junction), and Konstad (unincorporated)

Crivitz was originally a stop on the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad named for William Ellis, superintendent of the Peshtigo Lumber Company which gave the right of way through the area.

1860s - Levi P. Hale and John Seymour set up a trading post approx. 6 miles northwest of the present village of Crivitz.

1880s - Village platted by Ellis and Fred Bartels and named for Bartels' birthplace of Crivitz, Germany.

1897 - Town of Crivitz established.

1905 - Town of Stephenson created. At that time it included the village of Crivitz. W.H. Falvey was the first representative to the county board.

1913 - Village of Crivitz incorporated.

1927 - Village dissolved to become part of Town of Stephenson.

1974 - Village of Crivitz again incorporated.