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Colby, City of

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Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 28 N. - R. 2 E., Sec. 7,18 & 19, Township of Hull

Founded:
1873

Formallized:
1891

Background:

Colby straddles the Marathon/Clark County line with most of the city in Clark County. Following the Civil War the U. S. government decided a railroad was needed from Menasha to Lake Superior. Congress granted Central Wisconsin Railroad a land grant of about 850,000 acres. In 1871 construction began on the Central Wisconsin Railroad from Menasha to Ashland. By September 1872, the construction company had laid track to section 53 where the main construction camp remained for two years. This end of the track was named Colby in honor of Charles L. Colby, son of the president and  a partner in the company. It is also the present site of the city of Colby. By April 15, 1873, rail was completed to this point and continued northward. Local investors included Judge George Reed and Curtis Reed of Menasha and Matt Waleigh of Stevens Point. Reed succeeded in getting financial help from Gardiner Colby, a Boston financier and president of the Phillips and Colby Construction Co. Phillips and Colby Construction Co. also accepted the contract to build the railroad from Menasha to Ashland.

First Public Official:
Andrew Flaig

Biography:

First mayor, 1891

Post Office Established:
April 5, 1883

First Postmaster:
Horace J. Blanchard

About The Post Office:

East Colby P.O., located in SW 1/4 Section 18 of Hull Township, discontinued service after two years on June 29, 1885 with service from Colby.

Railroad:

See Background

The first depot was built in 1872 and was called Station 51. It was constructed by the Wisconsin Central Railroad, now known as the Soo Line.

Churches:

See Township of Hull

Schools:

See Township of Hull