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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 forced-removals and ethnic cleansing by the United States 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

Cheyenne Valley in the Town of Forest had one of the largest rural African American settlements in the late 19^th century. 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 in the land known as Virginia and continued on in what we now call Cheyenne Valley. 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 “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.

Cheyenne Valley in the Town of Forest had one of the largest rural African American settlements in the late 19^th century. 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 in the land known as Virginia and continued on in what we now call Cheyenne Valley. 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 “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.

Today over one hundred small dairy and other farms dot the hillsides, and we share a portion of our beautiful landscape with Wildcat Mountain State Park.

With Organic Valley nearby, many of our farms are small and organic. Cooperatives have always been rural farmers’ friends, and a new Driftless “Back to the Land Co-op” is being formed. The co-op will include small farmers who raise grass-fed and free-range animals as well as organic crops. The spirit of cooperation lives on in Forest!