Why is kaukauna called what it is called right now?

Answer 1

The meaning of the name "Kaukauna" has been variously explained over the years. Dr. Herbert B. Tanner writes the following in his booklet, The History of the Streets of Kaukauna: "The word Kaukauna is unique among names for there is no other like it. The bureau of ethnology in Washington gives it as a Menomonie Indian word, Ogaq-kane, meaning the place of the pike. Other authorities give it in the Indian language as O-Gau-Gau-Ning, meaning stopping place of the pickerel, the pickerel fishing grounds or the eddies where the fish stop. At any rate it is very evident that the broad expanse of the Fox River, just below the fifty-foot fall and rapids, afforded splendid fishing grounds for the original inhabitants and the Indian name expressed this fact."

Also in "The History of Outagamie County" by Thomas Ryan;

"Kaukalin. -- We are told that this beautiful place is beginning to improve rapidly. Since a town plat has been laid out numbers of lots have been sold and preparations are making for building to a considerable extent. A dam has been constructed, a new mill commenced and very soon the saw and the hopper will add their music to the pleasant song of the rapids. A new tavern is now opened and at the lower landing the Messrs Whitney have constructed a large stone warehouse. Before this place begins to occupy much attention in print, we hope something will be settled in the spelling of its name. Awful as it is to one not acquainted with the twists and turns of Western names, it is rendered doubly so to the novice by the various phases which it takes with the various pens which put it upon paper. Kakalin, Kackaloo, Cacolin, Cackalo and the innumerable other ways, all suggestive of the cackling of a setting hen, are some of the ways in which it is spelt. We have headed this article with the name as spelt commonly, but believe it is not correct. Those who ought to know about such matters say that the Indian signification of the name is 'the place where the fish stop,' and the above singular spelling of it is only adopted to the French pronunciation. Kaukau, it is said, means fish; na pronounced naw signifies in the connection a stopping place, so that if the name is spelt Kaukauna giving the last a the long accent, it will be correct." -- (Green Bay Advocate, August 8, 1850.)

For more info see;

http://www.kaukaunalibrary.org/LocalHistory/default.asp http://1familytree.com http://www.focol.org/kahs/