Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Stevens Point, Wisconsin sits on the east bank of the Wisconsin River, in the heart of the state. Stevens Point is home to UW–Stevens Point, a long-running farmers market at Market Square, and a brewery that’s been operating continuously since 1857.

John McGivern digs into the city’s roots—from Menominee history and the logging era to later waves of immigration that reshaped the community. The episode visits Gamber-Johnson, a Stevens Point company that evolved from wooden furniture to mounting and docking systems used in vehicles, including public safety equipment. At Stevens Point Brewery, the story moves from beer to soda-making during Prohibition and the real-life inspiration behind the “pointy head guy.”

Food and farming connect across multiple stops, including Main Grain Bakery and Eatery and a hands-on agricultural facility with interactive exhibits and demonstration fields. The episode also explores the city’s outdoor side at Schmeeckle Reserve, part of the UW–Stevens Point campus, and the Green Circle Trail. Along the way: a massive student-run trivia contest on WWSP 90 FM, adaptive cycling at The Hostel Shop, a changing weekly concept at Father Fats, public art that transforms light poles, and a look at a 1922 Century Insurance building and SentryWorld’s daily-fee golf course.