Template:Wp-Platteville, Wisconsin-History

the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

Platteville was settled by Pioneers and early Lead Miners along inlets and flat groves of The Rountree Branch and Little Platte River. Part of the greater Upper Mississippi River system. In the Driftless Region of Southwest, Wisconsin.

This is evident in the community as different areas of town are carved by ridges, narrow valleys, and steep hills. It can also be seen in the irregularity of the streets in the community. As the town grew, roads were given odd routes, to avoid the steep ravines and mining shafts strewn about the locality.

The town of Platteville was officially established in the 1820’s as a flourishing mining community. This is in part due to its close proximity to Dubuque, IA & Galena, IL. Both were thriving cities along the Mississippi River trade route. And also, because of the rising demand for lead throughout the United States from the 1820’s–1850’s.

Platteville was officially founded in 1829 by John H. Rountree. A southern businessman who had moved to the region prior, in hopes of finding wealth during its lead rush.

John H. Rountree as well as other wealthy southerners in the area, like former Wisconsin Governor Henry Dodge, brought slaves with them during the lead rush. They also brought freed black laborers, with intentions for them to work the mines at a more affordable cost, often nothing. This was illegal, even at the time. Yet, was a practiced in the region until after the Civil War.

A family of freed African-Americans from the region later settled a community known as Pleasant Ridge, Grant County, Wisconsin just west of Platteville. This served as a safe haven for many coming up from Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Some staying and raising families but most continuing on their way in hopes of finding success elsewhere.

By the 1849s lead ore production was decreasing. However, the mining of zinc ore quickly filled the void for prospective work. Platteville had become an established town, complete with schools, a private preparatory academy, newspaper, several churches, and a telegraph service as of November 1849.

During this time, both a teachers' college and a mining college were founded. The Normal School was established on October 9, 1866 to train teachers for elementary school grades. The Wisconsin Mining Trade School opened in January 1908.

In 1959, these two colleges were merged to become Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology.^[1] Its curriculum was developed to add graduate programs and departments, particularly in engineering. In 1971 it was renamed as University of Wisconsin–Platteville, to reflect its expanded programs in graduate study. Other additions included criminal justice and, in the early 21st century, UW Platteville is also considered to have the best criminal justice college in the Midwest.^[1]

From 1984 until 2001 the Chicago Bears football team held summer training camp on the campus of University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Their program resulted in a substantial infusion of money into the local economy each summer. The town felt the decline after the Bears moved their training camp to Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.

In 2004, the University of Wisconsin System gave its approval to the University of Wisconsin–Platteville's plan to expand the student enrollment from 5,000 to 7,500.

In 2004, U.S. Highway 151 was upgraded to a limited-access highway; it bypassed the city south of Platteville. Prior to the upgrade, the highway exits were closer to Platteville. The city made changes to adjust to the new southern US 151 bypass, and it has influenced subsequent development. A new hospital was built just north of US 151 and next to its off ramps. A Walmart Supercenter and a Menards have opened near the northern end of the US 151 bypass.

Historic buildings