Plover (Images of America)

Nestled on the Yellow Banks of the Wisconsin River, Plover was originally used by Native Americans for portaging between the Wisconsin and Wolf Rivers. After being established as the Portage County seat in 1844, the area grew rapidly. Soon, mills sprang up, farmers worked the land, businesses flourished, and lodging could not be built fast enough to keep up with the demand. By 1857, Plover boasted 500 residents and 112 buildings, with 40 more under construction. In 1868, the county seat was moved out of Plover, and by the mid-1880s, Plover had begun to decline. Despite this, and the fact that the village has been dissolved twice, incorporated three separate times, and gone by four different names, Plover has proved resilient. Since being reincorporated in 1971, Plover has thrived and grown at an impressive rate. Today, the main businesses are part of the industrial, agricultural, and retail sectors.