150 years of Freedom Early Freedom is shown in this undated photo. Early residents raised cattle; today's residents live there to avoid surrounding cities (photo courtesy of the town of Freedom). Sesquicentennial celebration taps into past By Brett W. Meach News-Chronicle FREEDOM - Since the town's conception 150 years ago, Freedom has made itself into much more than a small farm town between Appleton and Green Bay. Subdivisions filled with luxurious homes now sit in the outskirts of the once agricultural-centered community. Construction around the area exemplifies a town on the rise. Roads now lead to a new concept of rural America that is evident in Freedom. One of the first settlers in the area then known as Sagole (an Oneida word meaning good morning), was James Jackson, a freed slave who was born in the south. He is said to have made the first clearing (9 miles) in the area in 1830. Jackson was married to a Native American woman who helped him establish ties within the native community. Eventually, he named and founded the town on June 5, 1852. The name Freedom is a recognition in honor of Jackson's release from slavery in the south. People soon began coming to Freedom in search of good land. German and Dutch immigrants were among those who established Freedom as both an agricultural hot spot and a strong Irish-Catholic community. A local newspaper cited in 1953 that the church was one of the largest and finest Catholic churches in Outagamie County - or any county. Although many of the immigrants had never farmed before, neighbors from nearby Kaukauna and Grand Chute helped them to understand the land. The land itself had many puzzled. Freedom sits atop some of the most fertile land in Wisconsin. Clay, sand and silt loams represent the variety of soils in Freedom. Citizens of Freedom have long had an advantage in diversified farming, yet many did not choose to grow crops. Dairy farming and raising stock were the main dependencies of this rural town. But now, the modernization of America has hit Freedom. Although rich farm land still occupies much of the surrounding areas of Freedom, subdivisions have begun to take their place in Freedom's history. The homes in the area have come a long way since the first home, a 16-by-20-foot shanty built by John DeLong, who were among the first families to live in Freedom. Gary Van Hoof, town chairman, said Freedom has long served as opportunity for its citizens. "Freedom has provided an environment to allow people to experience the American dream," he said. People in the area now look to the outside areas for work. Van Hoof stated that nearly 95 percent of Freedom's population work in either Appleton of Green Bay. But pieces of the big city have yet to conquer the quiet town. Van Hoof said he believes the town will remain a relief from the fast-paced life of the city. Freedom is a common grounding between big city work and rural home living, he said. "Freedom allows people of Northeast Wisconsin a place to live between two larger cities," he said. The town is "...looking toward the future, planning to maintain the character we have established over the past 150 years." Plans for the future include an idea that has been taken from the past. A proposed path running along Duck Creek through the town of Freedom from Appleton to Green Bay would place Freedom roughly half way between the two cities. Van Hoof said he hopes travelers will stay in Freedom for a night while on their travels, just as they did with horses and buggies in Freedom's early years. But for now, Van Hoof and his town will celebrateoits intriguing history. On Saturday, Freedom's Sesquicentennial celebration will take a look at Freedom past and present. A parade will start the festivities at 11 a.m., followed by many activities at the VFW Park ranging from a horse and mule plowing event, Civil War encampment, a blacksmith demonstration, a shingle burner, a rope twister and a watermelon seed spitting contest. Fireworks will conclude "150 years of Freedom" at 10 p.m. The town of Freedom is located at County Hwy. S and Hwy. 55 about 5 miles west of U.S. 41. For more information, call (920)788-4548.