Posted on 10/27/2009 4:44:49 PM PDT by SJackson
For most of us, the word "secession" conjures up images of the Civil War, Southern belles, and the Confederate flag. But for one Wisconsin town, secession has a whole other meaning.
In 1967, state cartographers made a grievous error when creating the official state map of Wisconsin. An unlabeled dot lay between Lakes Poygan and Winnebago - the village of Winneconne had disappeared.
After alerting Governor Knowles of the error, Chamber of Commerce president Vera Kitchen was particularly dissatisfied with his response. A secret committee of villagers began plotting a public relations effort to put Winneconne back on the map. In a nation-wide contest, Kitchen challenged participants to figure out the best way to do so.
Two former Wisconsin residents, Kay Klipstine and Janice Badtke, made the winning proposal that Winneconne should secede from the state. The rest is history. In preparation for secession, officers of the Sovereign State of Winneconne were named, a flag was created, and festivities planned. The skunk was named official animal of the Sovereign State of Winneconne, poison ivy the flower, and the dodo its official bird.
Secession began on July 21, 1967. At 4 p.m., Governor Knowles placed an apologetic phone call to Winneconne officials and promised the error would be fixed on all 1968 maps. He also ordered that a new road sign be erected at the junction of highways 41 and 110 to point the way to Winneconne.
Although reunited with the state of Wisconsin, Winneconne commemorates this historic event with its annual Sovereign State Day celebration.
Wonder what their property and income tax rates would have been. A skunk on a flag isn't a big deal.
Don’t mess with Winneconne.
On This Day: October 27 1864 - Waukesha Soldier Sinks Confederate Ship
On this date William Cushing led an expedition to sink the Confederate ram, the Albermarle, which had imposed a blockade near Plymouth, North Carolina and had been sinking Union ships. Cushing's plan was extremely dangerous and only he and one other soldier escaped drowning or capture. Cushing pulled very close to the Confederate ironclad and exploded a torpedo under it while under heavy fire. Cushing's crew abandonded ship as it began to sink. The Albemarle also sunk. Cushing received a "letter of thanks" from Congress and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He died in 1874 due to ill health and is buried in the Naval Cemetery at Annapolis, Maryland. [Source: Badger Saints and Sinners by Fred L. Holmes, p.274-285]
I must admit that Winnecone (Win-E-Connie) is one Wisconsin town I’ve never visited...however, the map in my car IS from 1967, LOL!
Cute story. :)
My girlfriend is from there. It is a pleasant little place. Not too far from Oshkosh.
Sure. But does your WIFE know about the gal from Winnecone? ;)
I have a good friend who lives there.. typical small town, everybody knows everybodys business...
When maps were free and you got a Packer mug, cap, or steak knives with every fillup.
Don’t forget the jelly glasses and hand towels!
When it was pointed out that the 4th of July could not be celebrated in a town not part of the USA, they all, those who weren't too drunk, voted to rescind the secession.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rough_and_Ready,_California
When I lived there we were told that we were only separated from the Union for a week.
Note......the miners were mainly from Wisconsin.
I looked at the pictures and figured one of the placks had to be from the clampers. Sure enough
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RoughandReadySign1.JPG
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