Grafton, village in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States
Grafton is a small village in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, located about 20 miles north of Milwaukee along the Milwaukee River. It consists of quiet neighborhoods with a mix of historic and newer homes, small shops downtown, parks, and green spaces, with tree-lined streets throughout.
The village was founded in 1839 and officially incorporated in 1896, with German and Irish immigrants shaping the settlement from the 1840s onward. The Milwaukee River powered mills and enabled limestone quarrying into the 1920s, which formed the backbone of the local economy throughout the 1800s.
The village reflects its German and Irish immigrant roots, with historic churches like St. Joseph and St. Paul founded in the mid-1800s that continue to shape community life. Local celebrations and gatherings keep these traditions visible in daily life today.
The village is easily accessible via Interstate 43 and offers numerous parks with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas, along with a library and public pool. Streets are safe and family-friendly, and the Ozaukee Interurban Trail connects it to nearby communities for hiking and biking.
From 1929 to 1935, Paramount Records was based here and produced early blues and jazz recordings with famous artists like Charley Patton and Son House. The village is recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail for this important role in American music history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
