The Cornish In South West Wisconsin
The Cornish In SW Wisconsin
- Cornish migration to the lead and zinc mining region of southwest Wisconsin began during the 1820s.
- Three communities in particular - Mineral Point, Dodgeville and Linden - developed high proportions of Cornish migrants from a wide range of trade backgrounds.
- The area continues to celebrate its Cornish heritage through Mineral Point’s twinning with the Cornish town of Redruth, and also at the annual Cornish Festival, and ongoing exchange links with Cornish schools.
The Upper Mississippi Valley lead and zinc district attracted Cornish miners starting in the late 1820s. The emigration from Cornwall to southwest Wisconsin and a small part of northwest Illinois continued until just before the First World War.
Every story of a Cornish person leaving Cornwall for this area is unique. Some Cornish miners came on their own and then sent money back for their wives and families to come over. Entire families and extended family came as a group to this new frontier. A fair number of newlyweds left Cornwall together for a new adventure in an unknown land. Virtually all trades of Cornishmen came here: farmers, merchants, stonemasons, architects, blacksmiths, and a sub-group of Cornish Methodist preachers.
Three small communities – Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Linden – were home to the largest ethnic group of the Cornish on a percentage basis in Wisconsin. Here, the transplanted customs of Cornwall such as the pasty, saffron buns, and other Cornish foods were, and still are, well known here. The love of music was strong here and was manifested in brass bands and choral groups.
The stonemasons left their imprint on the three towns mentioned with both residential and public/commercial buildings. Mineral Point’s High Street has more examples of the Cornish stonemason than any other town in North America - and those buildings are a draw for tourists.
Cemeteries in these three same towns have grave markers with a wide variety of Cornish surnames. Most of the Cornish who came here originated from the mining area of Redruth and Camborne, however many small villages in other parts of Cornwall are represented as well.
The Pendarvis complex of restored houses built by Cornish stonemasons and miners in Mineral Point tells their story in a museum with a guided tour, now operated by the State of Wisconsin.
The Southwest Wisconsin Cornish Society was formed in Mineral Point in 1991, and two years later the society started an annual Cornish festival that continues to this day. Attempts are made to help sponsor a performer or group of entertainers to headline the festival. The 2023 Cornish festival ran from Friday September 22 through Sunday September 24.
Four In 1997, Mineral Point twinned with Redruth and out of that a student exchange was started two years later. Since then, over 200 students have participated in a very successful and rewarding endeavor. Redruth and Mineral Point alternate going to the other town and hosting a group of students. All students stay with host families, and many have formed long lasting friendships.
Since the early 1990s, Mineral Point has celebrated St. Piran’s day with a pasty lunch and program. Cornish flags fly all around the town during this time of year and again during the Cornish festival.
Since the 1990s, six people from the Mineral Point area have been inducted as Bards of Cornwall. The Cornish culture and identity are still alive and well in Southwest Wisconsin.