Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac is a city at the southern end of Lake Winnebago in southeast Wisconsin, serving as the county seat of Fond du Lac County. The city connects residential neighborhoods with commercial areas along the shoreline, where several marinas and public parks are located.

The settlement started in 1836 near Lake Winnebago and gained village status in 1847. Five years later it became a city and grew into a center for lumber processing and Great Lakes shipping.

The name comes from French and means "bottom of the lake", referencing the location where Lake Winnebago narrows into a shallow southern tip that early fur traders used as a landmark when traveling through the region.

The city is reachable via several state highways running north from Milwaukee and Green Bay. The waterfront area offers walking paths and docks that see frequent use during warm weather.

The city fairgrounds became a prisoner of war camp in 1944, holding 300 German soldiers temporarily. The prisoners worked on nearby farms and returned home after the war ended.

Location: Fond du Lac County

Inception: 1843

Elevation above the sea: 232 m

Website: https://fdl.wi.gov

GPS coordinates: 43.77514,-88.44491

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:12