Uniquely Wisconsin: Portage County

Welcome back to another bonus episode of The Cabin Podcast, the official podcast of Discover Wisconsin. Susan Fochs and Eric Paulsen welcome Michelle Gormican Thompson back in from the Wisconsin Counties Association to discuss stories and the wonders of Portage County. This Bonus Episode is sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association (https://www.wicounties.org/) This bonus episode is part of the Uniquely Wisconsin series, a broadcast and streaming series that spotlights the untold stories of Wisconsinites and highlights the communities in which they live. From the emotional and heartwarming, to the humorous and the historic, the Uniquely Wisconsin brand captures the essence of the people of America’s Dairyland. While still a Discover Wisconsin feel, we're doing a deeper dive into the culture that makes up each county and how it forms Wisconsin’s culture. This week, we highlight Portage County. We begin with facts about Portage County, noting its original footprint including where Portage, Wisconsin is today, and how it became centered on its current area along the Wisconsin River and within a radius of Stevens Point, the county seat. A number of towns sprung up around waterways, with sawmills processing lumber floating down the river from up north. Today, Portage County encompasses a wide variety of farms, forests, and towns filled with inventive makers. From the college town vibrancy in Stevens Point to industrious developers, brewers, crafters, and artisans from Plover to Rosholt, Portage County is a place where people create and frequently support each other. Some of the state’s most popular craft brewers and distillers are in Portage County, and people from all over the world visit the area for golf at Sentry World or to participate annually in the World’s Largest Trivia Contest held annual with UW-Stevens Point.