Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Oshkosh sits where the Fox River meets Lake Winnebago, a location that has shaped the city’s identity for generations. Named for Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means “claw,” the city developed around water access that made it a natural hub for lumber, industry, and transportation. That early reliance on the river earned Oshkosh the nickname “Sawdust City,” and after the devastating fire of 1875, the downtown rebuilt in brick and stone that still defines its core.

The episode traces how Oshkosh’s geography continues to influence daily life. The Fox River flows into Lake Winnebago here, placing the city squarely in the Fox Valley and giving context to its long-standing “on the water” motto. That same access once made it easy to move timber and later helped support manufacturing and shipping that extended Oshkosh’s reach well beyond Wisconsin.

A major chapter of the city’s modern story is aviation. Inside the EAA Museum, the episode follows the organization’s beginnings as a small airplane club started by Paul and Audrey Poberezny and its growth into a global aviation community with hundreds of thousands of members. Since 1970, Oshkosh has hosted the annual EAA fly-in, a week when the local airport becomes the busiest in the world. Emmy Fink appears during a look at the Young Eagles program, which introduces kids to aviation through free flights and hands-on learning.

Sports and education also play central roles. The Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, shows how professional basketball has become part of the city’s cultural fabric. At the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, founded in 1871 as a normal school for teachers, the episode reflects on how the campus has evolved alongside the city.

Throughout Oshkosh, longtime businesses and institutions anchor community life. Hughes Home Maid Chocolates has operated since 1942, while Leon’s Drive-In preserves familiar recipes and rituals. Neighborhood bars, riverfront development, and places like the Paine Art Center and Gardens reflect both continuity and change. The episode also highlights the Oshkosh Kids Foundation’s Tiny House Village, addressing housing instability through local initiative.

Guided by John McGivern, the episode presents Oshkosh as a city shaped by water, work, and resilience—where history remains visible and community investment continues to redefine what comes next.