Trains thundering across the golden Wisconsin prairies opened the door for development in Waunakee just after the Civil War. When the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad expanded its line from Madison to St. Paul, it also opened the opportunity for a local supply center and a market for shipping farm produce.

The Packham Mill, in operation for 10 years, seemed a logical spot for location of a new and potentially prosperous village. Located just two miles from the present Waunakee depot, railroad officials had already decided it was an ideal location.

But two early settlers, Louis Baker and George C. Fish, owned land along the new railroad line and plotted a village on their property instead. In exchange for $1,500 and two miles of right-of-way, railroad officials changed their original plans and trains roared to a stop in what is now known as Waunakee. Native American in origin, the name Waunakee (Wanaki) aptly describes the Village’s location in a "fair and pleasant valley" just north of Madison.

Festivities culminated at the end of July with a village-wide celebration in conjunction with the annual WaunaFest. There was a historical encampment at Murphy Park, music, carnival, and sporting events at Centennial Park, a quilt show and historic displays at the high school, and a parade through town.

Waunakee’s Quasquicentennial celebration depicted not only the history of Waunakee, but provided a living example of the reason Waunakee is such a special place to live, work, and grow!