History and Alumni

"New Glarus is located in the heart of Green County in Southern Wisconsin.  It's rolling hills dotted with small towns, farms, and woodland pastures are much like the alpine farmlands of Glarus, Switzerland.  When you arrive at the village entrance, you will quickly understand it's popularity as a destination.  New Glarus is America's "Little Switzerland."

"For over 150 years, the beautiful little community of New Glarus, Wisconsin has been a magnet for Swiss settlers.  New Glarus was originally settled by a hardy band of 108 Swiss pioneers in 1845 who left the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland during an economic crisis.  Since then, succeeding generations and a steady stream of new Swiss immigrants have kept alive the community's Swiss- German language, folk traditions, and music.  This remarkable mix of old and new Swiss in New Glarus - plus an enduring dedication to preserving ties with the homeland has made this little town a unique place to live, work, and visit."

-New Glarus Chamber of Commerce

The New Glarus School District has been up and running since 1878.  The local church ran the very first school.

Historical Timeline of Green County's Swiss Colony

• In 1905, a proposal was presented to the people of New Glarus that limburger cheese be "declared legal tender for the payment of all debts and a medium of exchange throughout the district."
  -Sperling's Best Places 

• Three Amish students who stopped attending high school in New Glarus were the basis of Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972), where the United States Supreme Court found that compulsory education past 8th grade did not apply to Amish children, as it violated their fundamental right to freedom of religion.

For many years, a Civil War cannon was mounted in front of the schoolhouse in New Glarus. At first the cannon was on the east side of the building, which had been built in 1896 with an addition in 1915. When a high school wing was added in 1939, the cannon stood guard at the main entrance on the north side of the building.

The school newspaper took its name from that cannon and is still known as the "Old Guard," with a motto of "As the Cannon Roars the Press Will Roll."

The cannon was actually one of two surplus weapons that were obtained long after the Civil War by New Glarus area veterans. It was mounted and filled with cement in the early 1900s after it's mate exploded while being fired during a 4th of July celebration.

The weapon, known as a 20 pound Parrott Rifle, was once a ship's cannon aboard the USS Katahdin, which took part in the Union blockade of Confederate ports.

In the early 1990s, the cannon was restored to working status by a Chicago-area civil war re-enactment group - Battery G of the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. Meanwhile the schoolhouse that served the community for so many years was turned into an apartment building.

When not being used by Battery G for encampments, the gun is housed in the Hall of History at the Swiss Historical Village, giving quiet testimony to the service of the roughly 100 Civil War veterans from the Swiss colony.

In July of 1995, the roar of the cannon was heard here again during a Civil War encampment that was held as part of New Glarus' 150th anniversary celebration.

--Based on Swiss Historical Village archives and displays

Take a look back to the Old Guard's written in the early 1920s!