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Services / Resources: Local History
On-site Services
A variety of helpful equipment, archives and services are available at your local Marathon County Public Library! Some resources are only available at certain MCPL locations, as noted below.
Wisconsin Collection
The Wisconsin Collection at MCPL Wausau includes nonfiction items related to Marathon County and Wisconsin. This includes nonfiction books, microfiche, family genealogies, maps and more.Online Resources
The following are databases to which the library has subscribed and websites that are affiliated with the library or host library-owned content. For an A-Z listing of all online resources, click here.
U.S. Newsstream
This online archive contains U.S. news from the 1980s to the present day, featuring key national and regional sources including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Newsday and Chicago Tribune, as well as over 80 Gannett titles, including the Wausau Daily Herald (... (read more)
Marathon County Local History
An online archive of the rich local history of the towns, villages, and cities in Marathon County, including centennial histories written by local residents, with many illustrations documenting family life and economic development in central Wisconsin.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Wisconsin Communities
Meticulously detailed, color-keyed street maps created for all sizes of cities and villages, Sanborn Maps helped insurance agents in the late 19th and early 20th centuries determine the degree of fire hazard associated with a particular property. Most maps date between 1883 and 1930. Physical maps are held at MCPL Wausau, but online versions are accessible... (read more)
Digital Sanborn Maps 1867-1970
Produced for over a century, more than 660,000 Sanborn maps chart the growth and development of more than 12,000 American towns and cities. Sanborn maps are large-scale plans of a city or town, drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch. They were created to assist fire insurance companies as they assessed the risk associated with insuring a particular property... (read more)Websites
The following are third-party websites suggested by library staff for your consideration. Use at your own risk; these sites are not controlled or monitored by the library.
Marathon County Genealogical Society
A group of professional and amateur genealogists who regularly meet to share research strategies, discuss local history, plan research projects, and assist others in their research.Marathon County Historical Society
The purpose of the Marathon County Historical Society is to collect, preserve and exhibit materials relating to the history of Marathon County. The museum library collects and catalogs printed materials and documents to aid the public in historical and genealogical research. Members of the museum staff initiate and carry out general research projects, site...The Wisconsin Historical Society
This site hosts many digitized collections of historical photos, maps, documents, genealogical data and more, all related to Wisconsin and its history.Wisconsin 101: Our History in Objects
Wisconsin 101 is a collaborative public history project that includes both an interactive online exhibit and programming on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). Students, amateur historians, and other Wisconsin residents nominate objects of interest or importance to their communities, then research, write, and illustrate histories of those objects for...Wisconsin Historical Societies Directory
This directory provides information about more than 350 local affiliates of the Wisconsin Historical Society. It lists museums, archives, hours, directions and contact information.Wisconsin Local History and Biography Articles Collection
Contains 16,000 historical newspaper articles on notable Wisconsin people and communities.- Locations
- Wausau
- Athens
- Edgar
- Hatley
- Marathon City
- Mosinee
- Rothschild
- Spencer
- Stratford
- Marathon County Public Library
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300 North First Street Wausau WI 54403 USA
Phone: 715-261-7200 (business hours)
Account Status: 715-261-7209 (24/7)
Fax: 715-261-7204
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