While filming in Kenosha last summer, our crew discovered this city is all about unexpected fun. But that's not all we learned. The locals taught us a few things about "K-Town," too...
- It hasn't always been "Kenosha." The Potawotomi first named the area "gnozhé," which means "place of the pike". By 1836, more settlers had arrived and dubbed the town "Pike Creek". But as the area became a significant Great Lakes shipping port, the village was renamed again in 1837 to "Southport". Southport continues to grow and in 1850, the town's citizens adopted an anglicized version of its original name, "Kinoje", hence "Kenosha". Today, Kenoshans are known to refer lovingly to their hometown as "K-Town" and "Keno".
- Kenosha is the world headquarters for companies like Jockey International, Inc. (founded in 1876) and Snap-on Incorporated (founded in 1920).
- Kenosha is home to a number of famous faces including actors Mark Ruffalo, Orson Welles, Al Molinaro, Daniel J. Travanti and Don Ameche; athletes Nick Van Exel and Alan Ameche; inventors Thomas B.Jeffery and Christopher Latham Sholes; Chef Tony Mantuano; and Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler.
- You'll find Wisconsin's only Metra station in Kenosha, with nine inbound and nine outbound trains running Monday through Friday.
- The museum scene in Kenosha is pretty fascinating. For one, The Dinosaur Discovery Museum holds the largest set of meat-eating dinosaur skeletons in the U.S. Then there's the Kenosha Public Museum, which has the largest collection of Woolly Mammoth bones ever discovered. Right next door to the Kenosha Public Museum is The Civil War Museum, which is the second largest Civil War Museum in the nation and one of only three venues featuring a 360-degree film experience in the U.S.
- There are 21 locations and four districts in Kenosha listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Despite Kenosha's small town feel, the community happens to be the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin behind Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. It's also the fourth largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay.
- Kenosha is one of the smallest cities in the U.S. with any type of functioning streetcar system. A two-mile streetcar line has served HarborPark and the downtown Kenosha since 2000.
- The legendary Franks Diner also calls Kenosha home. Perhaps you've heard of Frank's – they're known just as much for being the oldest continuously operating lunch car diner in the U.S. as they are for their sassy service and "Garbage Plate" meal.
- The Washington Park Velodrome has hosted bicycle races since 1927, making it the oldest operating velodrome in the U.S.
For more on Kenosha, watch "Unexpected Fun - Only in Kenosha" this weekend on Discover Wisconsin. Check our broadcast guide to learn when you can watch our show in your area.
Photo by Ruth Ann Welch
AJ Marz is a producer and cinematographer for Discover Wisconsin and an avid outdoorsman. When not behind a camera or producing a segment of Discover Wisconsin, you can find AJ climbing the bluffs of Baraboo, catching walleye on the Wisconsin River, or discovering peace in nature. Watch Discover Wisconsin Saturdays at 10 a.m. on FSN Wisconsin’s outdoor block.
Love being and living now in the Midwest . Hoping to get up your way more often and photograph Wisconsin's beauty . Following this site is fun !
Glad you're enjoying our blog, Diane! Thanks for reading 🙂
Thanks for using one of my Wisconsin Horizons to head the story. Very cool! Actually when I took this shot on the frozen shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha it was well below zero so .....Very Cold! 🙂
Beautiful shot!
No mention of zirk ?
Big Star after the bike races and the Spot for rings
I've lived in kenosha pretty much my whole life, what they fail to mention in this, is that the only entertainment for preteens. Is an ice skate arena. When I was growing up there used to be roller skating and many other things to do being a teenager. Now there's not much of anything anymore. Or that kenosha holds a record along with milwaukee for having so many bars within a block radius.
Hello Roxy,
I lived in Kenosha the first 37 years of my life and left there in 2004. I do not miss living there and will never look back. You are correct about nothing to do there. The city has made poor use of the lakefront area as there are many cities and smaller towns that have much more inviting lakeshore areas. There are things there that I miss, such as family and the food available there, but I would never consider moving back there.
There were more than twice as many when the motors was still open.
Kenosha is also one of the remaining cities to have a drive in movie theater and is also home to the world champion competitive cheerleaders, the CYC Raiders.
I remember when I was a kid living in Keno, I spent the weekends at 'Reds'. The old rink with the wooden floor
There is lots to do in Kenosha! A fabulous art and antiques and handmade items shopping scene. Lemon Street Gallery, ArtWorks, Peace Tree, Forever Grateful, Anderson Arts, Yoga classes by the lake, a killer Harbor Market, Renzos and Tacos El Rey....so much to offer if you get out and check it out!
Why do you fail to mention that I was born in Kenosha?
Lol!
what was the bowling ally called that was located on 22nd avenue? was it the Hub?
You forgot to mention Tenuto's !!!!
you mean Tenuta's?
Not to mention Nash and American Motors , that many generations had made a good living their, including my family !
kenosha is home to melvin gordon the 3rd
love the harbor walks and walk on the pier to the lighthouse
Just arrived in the town in Kenosha amazing
I was born there
When I think of Kenosha I remember the appearance of Weezer on Happy Days. ”I look just like Buddy Holly, and your Marry Tyler Moore”. Check it out on YouTube.
Born and raised in Kenosha. Left in ‘84 but have good memories.
As Thomas Wolfe said, you can never go home. I was born in Kenosha in the 50’s, to families who had been in Kenosha since the early 1800’s. Raised and went to school in Kenosha in 60’s and 70’s. I remember a city where historical buildings were torn down and paved over and the only book store was RKNews. Thank God for Gilbert Simmons library. Mostly I remember a city where white men were always in charge and things were pretty traditional. Such a shame that armed marauders from out of town were allowed to prowl the city in 2020, killing its citizens. You really can never go home.