Rooted in History, Growing with Pride
Since becoming an official village in 1989, Pleasant Prairie has been committed to creating a community that's as welcoming as it is beautiful.
True to its name, the Village blends a rich history, a strong sense of community, and a natural charm that makes it a special place to live, work, and visit.
The Historical Places of Pleasant Prairie
Chiwaukee Prairie
The natural beauty of the Pleasant Prairie area remains evident in Chiwaukee Prairie and the Kenosha County Sand Dunes, which preserve the environmental condition of land in premodern times. The later site of this Village served as a campsite for Native Americans along Lake Michigan, and the well-preserved archaeological traces of their habitation still serve as some of the earliest evidence of human settlement in what is now the state of Wisconsin.
Jambeau Trail
This area now known as Pleasant Prairie was once home to several Native American groups, including the Oneota, Miami, Sauk, Meskwaki, and Potawatomi. The Potawatomi traveled between villages using ancient trails that followed natural features like beach ridges and moraines. One of those routes, later called the Jambeau Trail, still leaves its mark today. Parts of it can be seen near Green Bay Road in Momper’s Woods.
The Milktrain Hub
In the mid-1800s, Pleasant Prairie was a stop on the Chicago Northwestern rail line and several other train routes. The arrival of the railroad played a key role in shifting local agriculture from wheat to dairy, as trains made it possible to transport milk longer distances without spoiling. By 1870, Bain Station in Pleasant Prairie had become a hub for the "Milk Express Train," which left each morning with fresh milk bound for Chicago and returned later in the day with empty cans.
Horse Races at Ideal Park
Pleasant Prairie was once home to its very own horse racing track! The Ideal Race Track, a mile-long course, was located along 88th Avenue just south of 122nd Street. It gave the area a reputation as a hotspot for gamblers at the time, which didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, the track played a role in prompting the Wisconsin Legislature to ban race track gambling statewide in 1897.
Gun Powder Mill Explosion
On March 9, 1911, a massive explosion at the DuPont blasting powder plant in Pleasant Prairie leveled the village and nearby Bristol. The blast, caused by 300 tons of dynamite and black powder, left a 100-foot-deep crater, flattened buildings, and was felt as far as 130 miles away. Though the plant was closed at the time, four people died, and hundreds were injured. The explosion was so powerful that many thought it was an earthquake, and some residents near Lake Michigan even fled into the lake fearing a great fire.
Keno Drive-In
The Keno Family Drive-In opened on May 18, 1949. It originally operated as a second-run theater under the Standard Theaters Management Corp. chain. In addition to movies, it also offered a play area with a miniature railway and pony rides. The Keno held the title of Wisconsin’s oldest operating drive-in theater until it closed at the end of the 2014 season and was demolished in February 2016.
Want to dive deeper into Pleasant Prairie’s past? Stop by the Pleasant Prairie History Museum, where you’ll find exhibits, stories, and plenty more to explore about the area’s rich history.
The People of Pleasant Prairie
Pleasant Prairie has always been shaped by the people who call it home. From early settlers to present-day residents, generations of hardworking, passionate individuals have built a strong, welcoming community rooted in pride and progress. Their stories, talents, and contributions - both big and small - continue to define what makes Pleasant Prairie such a special place to live, grow, and thrive.
Emily Derbyshire
Pleasant Prairie’s story begins back in 1835, when the first settlers made their way to the area. One of them, Emily T. Derbyshire, is credited as the one who gave Pleasant Prairie its name. A few years later, on January 2, 1838, the Territorial Legislature officially created the Town of Pleasant Prairie. The first town meeting and election happened in April of 1842. In those early days, the Town Board met in the basement of the Williams Congregational Church at 93rd Street and Green Bay Road. By 1889, that same church became the official Town Hall.
Joe Louis
In the 1930s, Heavyweight Boxer Joe Louis established his boxing training camps in Kenosha County, including Pleasant Prairie, after being denied accommodations in Lake Geneva due to racial discrimination. He trained at the Ham Fisher mansion in Carol Beach and held public sessions at Lakefront Stadium, where fans could watch him prepare for major bouts like his 1937 fight against James Braddock. The local community welcomed Louis, offering him the support and facilities he was denied elsewhere.
Joyce Hill Westerman
Joyce Hill Westerman, who grew up on a farm in Pleasant Prairie and graduated from Bradford High School, made her mark as a catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, playing for teams like the Grand Rapids Chicks, Racine Belles, and South Bend Blue Sox. Known for her grit behind the plate and strong throwing arm, Joyce helped pave the way for women in sports during a time when opportunities were limited.
Since becoming an official village in 1989, Pleasant Prairie has worked hard to stay true to its name as a place that’s not only beautiful to look at, but also feels like home. That commitment to preserving the area's natural charm runs deep in our roots. In fact, some residents even came together to buy land just to make sure it would be protected from development for future generations.
Today, more than 20% of Pleasant Prairie’s land is protected because of its environmental and historical importance.
And it shows! Even our industrial areas blend thoughtfully with the landscape, reflecting a long-standing commitment to preserving the nature and character of the community.
