by Amy Lowe

Created on: August 10, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

While Wisconsin is popularly known as America's Dairyland and may invoke images of cows and farmland, it might come as a surprise to learn that some famous people were born and raised in the state. From Laura Ingalls Wilder to Liberace, several world-renown authors, actors, sports stars and others who have made a significant contribution to society have called Wisconsin home.

Perhaps one of the best known authors from Wisconsin is Laura Ingalls Wilder. Born near Pepin, Wisconsin in 1867, the Ingalls family spent only a few years in the area, but their presence is remembered in a recreated homestead and festival in the area. Several other authors, including Zona Gale, author of the book Miss Lulu Bett, and Thornton Wilder, author and playwright of Our Town, were also born in the state.

In addition to authors, Wisconsin has also produced the mysterious and flamboyant. Harry Houdini, world-renowned magician, claimed Appleton, Wisconsin as his home-town, despite being born in Hungary and moving to the state as a toddler. The History Museum at the Castle in Appleton contains an extensive Houdini collection as well as Houdini exhibits.

Possibly one of the most colorful people to come from Wisconsin is the legendary Liberace. Born in West Allis, Wisconsin, Liberace studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and played with the Milwaukee Symphony. Recent attempts to open a Liberace museum near Marquette University's campus have failed.

Wisconsin also has its share of famous actors hailing from the state. Academy Award nominees Willem Dafoe and Spencer Tracy call Appleton, and Milwaukee home, respectively. Orson Welles was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin and comedian Chris Farley was born, raised and started his career in Madison.

One of the major contributors to Wisconsin history is Frank Lloyd Wright. Born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, he attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and designed several houses and buildings in the state. His unique designs can still be found gracing the Wisconsin landscape and include Annunciation Church in Wauwatosa, SC Johnson Wax in Racine, Monona Terrace in Madison, as well as Wright's personal retreat, Taliesin, in Spring Green, to name a few.

Wisconsinites are sports lovers and this most evident in their love for the Green Bay Packers football team. Curly Lambeau, the co-founder of the Green Bay Packers, has a football field named after him in Green Bay, his hometown. In addition, Bob Uecker, the baseball player, was born in Milwaukee and Paul and Morgan Hamm, former Olympians, are natives of Waukesha. Matt Kenseth, a NASCAR driver, was born in Cambridge, Wisconsin and competed at the Slinger Super Speedway and Madison International Speedway.

While, at first glimpse, it may seem that Wisconsin has nothing more to offer the world than its dairy products, the Badger state has, in fact, produced several noteworthy residents who have made significant contributions to the world in several areas.

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