When Gilbert Knapp founded Racine in 1834 and the first pioneers settled there, no one had the remotest idea that the wilderness would one day transform into a thriving city. Ideally situated on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, the site was chosen by Knapp because of its harbor potential. The prospect of farming on the level prairies surrounding Racine also attracted many of the area s first settlers. Racine County is especially suited for growing wheat, which immediately became the county s leading agricultural product. The town of Racine quickly became a prosperous center serving the needs of the area s farm population. Even Racine s industrial base was founded on wheat; in 1842, J.I. Case invented a wheat thresher that helped Racine to grow into one of the foremost industrial centers in the United States."

In November 1834, Capt. Gilbert Knapp staked a claim to 141 acres at the mouth of the Root River, naming it Port Gilbert. This site became the city of Racine. During the pioneer years, Racine was dubbed Ã"the Belle CityÃ" of the Great Lakes (from the French word belle, meaning Ã"beautifulÃ"). The growth of this beautiful city and its harbor was captured in vintage postcards at a time when people sent little notes and messages to friends and family the way people use e-mail and cell phones today. These cards are like vignettes showing the changes that have taken place since one century agoÃ--a pictorial documentation of Racine preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Racine's greatest historian Eugene W. Leach spent the later years of his life gathering historical information about Racine, WI. Using the information that he had gathered, Eugene W. Leach started a manuscript detailing the early history of Racine, Wisconsin in the late 1920s, doing a final revision of it in 1932. This manuscript was never published until now. This is it!Topics covered in this book include: First Settlement at Racine, The Pioneers, Letters of Pioneers, Letters of Atticus, Pioneer Businesses in Racine, First Roads in Southeastern Wisconsin, Early Buildings in Racine, Biographies of Some Early Pioneers, Racine Police Department, Music and Musicians in Racine, Early History of Banking in Racine, Early Agriculture in Racine County, Early Entertainement, Clubs and Societies in Racine, Hospitals, Public Parks, Racine Public Library, Root River and Its Branches in Racine, Racine Bridge History, Church History, Invention - The Telephone, Early Racine School History, Racine Elementary Schools, The Kindergarten in Racine, Vocational Schools in Racine, Racine College Founded, Roster of all Racine High School Graduates 1853 - 1903, Private and Business Schools, Early History of Racine County Schools, Evolution of Racine County.