The Horicon Hustle: How a Marshland Dream Became a Swamp of Lies
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 — 7:00 PM
Thousands of years of glaciers, a vanished man-made lake, and a Wisconsin marsh drained for farmland — then sold to buyers as “the richest onion ground in America.” What began as an ambitious plan to dredge and drain Horicon Marsh into the “breadbasket” of America spiraled into an ecological and financial disaster — and a scandal and swindle of epic proportions.
Sponsored by the Rock River Archaeological Society
Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Auditorium, Wednesday, August 19, 2026 — 7:00 PM N7725 State Road 28, Horicon, WI 53032
Future Presentations!
History From Above: From Hand-Drawn Views to Satellite Imagery
Did you know Horicon was built on ceremonial ground? Or that over 500 effigy mounds have been mapped right here in Dodge County?
Join us for a one-hour journey through 150+ years of local history — seen from the sky. We’ll go from hand-drawn 1837 survey maps to WWII aerial cameras to modern satellite and LiDAR imagery that can see straight through forest canopy to reveal what’s buried beneath.
You’ll learn how historians and archaeologists use these tools to find lost trails, vanished buildings, and hidden mounds — and how you can start spotting history yourself, right in your own backyard.
📍 Dodge County Historical Society, 105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam, WI, in the historic William’s Free Library Building.
🕐 February 6th at 1 pm
Free and open to the public — bring your questions!
Encore Presentation: The Horicon Hustle: How a Marshland Dream Became a Swamp of Lies
Thousands of years of glaciers, a vanished man-made lake, and a Wisconsin marsh drained for farmland — then sold to buyers as “the richest onion ground in America.” What began as an ambitious plan to dredge and drain Horicon Marsh into the “breadbasket” of America spiraled into an ecological and financial disaster — and a scandal and swindle of epic proportions.
📍 Dodge County Historical Society, 105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam, WI, in the historic William’s Free Library Building.
🕐 April 10th at 1 pm
Free and open to the public — bring your questions!
The Rise and Fall of Lake Horicon and Her Steamships:
Join local historian Carl Reinemann for an illustrated journey through one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable environmental stories. This presentation chronicles the dramatic transformation of Horicon Marsh — from a vast natural wetland to one of the largest man-made inland lakes in the world, and back again to the treasured marsh ecosystem we know today. Along the way, discover the steamboats, the commerce, and the colorful characters who thrived during Lake Horicon’s golden age.
📍 David A. Straz Jr. Center, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, WI 53140
🕐 January 8th 6-9 pm
Closed – Private Museum Event
Past Presentations
- Dodge County Historical Society, May 2nd 2026 1pm The Rise and Fall of Lake Horicon and Its Steamers
- Horicon Public Library, April 1st, 2026 6 pm Early Horicon History
- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Feb 7th 2pm GIS Mapping of Native American Trails
Public Speaking Requests
Want a live presentation for your group?
History doesn’t have to be a lecture. Carl Reinemann has spent years turning archival research and forgotten stories into presentations that engage, entertain, and occasionally surprise audiences who thought they already knew their local history.
Carl has spoken to a wide range of groups — from universities and the Dodge County Historical Society to local libraries and civic organizations. No two audiences are the same, and no two presentations are alike; they are tailored for the audience. Using archival historic photos, GIS Mapping, original historic documents, and artifacts, Carl brings energy and storytelling instincts into every room he walks into.
Click here for Public Speaking information
