History – Town of Merrimac

Spring Cleanup: TOWN OF MERRIMAC SPRING CLEANUP Town of Merrimac Residents Only- ID Required Saturday, May 18th, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. At the Merrimac Town Hall, Corner of Hwy 113 and Halweg Road *** NO DUMPING PRIOR TO SATURDAY**** ITEMS ACCEPTED: Metal – microwaves, water heaters, water softeners, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, steel barrels fencing & other metal objects. Old Cars, Trucks & Farm Machinery may possibly be picked up at your residence. Contact Charlie Hall (608-963-2993)** FEES (please bring correct cash): $2.00: car and truck tires (must be off the rims) $6.00: large furniture, bed springs, mattresses, carpets, rugs, televisions, radios, computers, toilets, sinks, easy chairs $10.00: large tractor tires (must be off the rims) ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: YARD WASTE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THIS SITE. The town will collect yard waste behind the Merrimac Conservation Club off of Highway 78. Paint, chemicals, solvents, antifreeze, insecticides or pesticides, motor oil, or batteries. Waste generated by contractors, house demolition or remodeling waste, stone or rubble will not be collected. Motorized vehicles of any kind. **CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WILL BE REFUSED** ITEMS NOT LISTED WILL BE TAKEN AT THE DISCRETION OF THE ATTENDANTS. THEIR DECISIONS ARE FINAL. **** Two or members of the Town Board may be present during this time period, which would constitute a quorum of the town board. The Town Board is not meeting on this date and is only there for the purpose of conducting the business noted above. ***

History

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Town (and village) of Merrimac was named by Mrs. J.G. Train for the county of Merrimack in New Hampshire. The original spelling included the letter k, the same as the New Hampshire name. The village of Merrimack was originally called Matts ferry for Chester Mattson who operated a ferry there. When the post office was established it was called Collamer for the postmaster general. The name was afterward changed to Merrimac. It has been reported the Native American word Merrimack means "sturgeon" or "swift water."

Magnus Swenson constructed the dam at Prairie du Sac which, at the time, was alleged to be grander than any other west of Niagara Falls. The completion of the dam on September 10, 1914, changed the Wisconsin River through the Merrimac community and Lake Wisconsin was born. The lake’s diverse community of year-round homes, seasonal cottages, and new fishing spots changed this once purely agricultural community into a year-round destination for residents and tourists alike.

Sources:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Fox Wisconsin Heritage Parkway