Our Early History
Long before settlers arrived, this land was the home of indigenous people. The Ho-Chunk lived throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois until the nineteenth century. The Ho-Chunk were forced to give up much of their land in Wisconsin in the early 1800’s due to a treaty with the US government. The Ho-Chunk demonstrated incredible strength and love of their homelands and returned. Today they are our friends and neighbors, and we continue to learn about their culture and their respect and knowledge of this land we now share. To learn more, People of the Big Voice is a wonderful book of personal history and photos of the Ho-Chunk.
Our Early Diversity
Immigrating Czechs began arriving in Hillsboro from the Bohemian region of what is now the Czech Republic in the mid-1800’s, bringing their traditions, foods, and culture.
The land between Hillsboro and nearby Ontario once known as Cheyenne Valley in the Town of Forest had one of the largest rural African American farming settlements in the late 19th century, after the Civil War. We have also come to learn that many of those who came were descendants of Free People of Color, and many were descendants of Native People. Their histories intermingled with those of White settlers before the Revolutionary War. There are still many residents in Southwestern Wisconsin who are proud descendants of this rich heritage. Yearly reunions celebrate their history and their present.
Wisconsin’s early defiance of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, requiring slaves to be returned to their plantations, encouraged freed slaves to come to Wisconsin. Aided by Quakers, nearly 150 African American settlers came to Cheyenne Valley and surrounding areas.
The Shivers family was one of the families to establish here. Thomas Shivers used the Underground Railroad to make his way to Cheyenne Valley. Alga (Algie) Shivers (1889-1978) was one of his children and became an integral member of the community. Many of the African American Settlers became known for building some of the finest “round barns,” which were considered “novel and progressive” and were common in our area. Many round barns are still visible today.
Listen as descendants of Cheyenne Valley speak about their rich heritage.
Town of Forest 