Ripon, Wisconsin, traces its roots to 1844, when a group of Fourierist settlers established the utopian community of Ceresco along Silver Creek. In 1849, Captain David P. Mapes founded the neighboring village of Ripon, named after Ripon, England, and encouraged growth by offering land to new settlers. The establishment of Ripon College in 1851 further shaped the city’s educational and cultural life. Over time, Ripon developed as an agricultural and small-industry center while preserving its historic character, which remains central to its civic identity today.
May 27, 1844
Warren Chase and 19 followers of the Wisconsin Phalanx utopian community arrive from Kenosha and settle the village of Ceresco on the west side of present-day Ripon.
“At the time of this immigration there was no settler in the township, and none in the one north, nor the one east, nor the one south, but three or four in the west, on the beautiful border of Green Lake, which was a strip of timber between the prairie and water.” -Warren Chase, autobiography
February 1849
“In February, 1849, myself and my sons came upon this beautiful spot with axes in hand, to strike the first blows which were to change this beauty of nature into a town.” -David P. Mapes, October 8, 1870
November 23, 1850
On this date, town leaders first meet to propose the creation of a Lyceum at Ripon. Per college tradition, at the end of this meeting, David Mapes and Alvan E. Bovay staked out the outline of what would become East Hall in a “gentle snowstorm.”
“The object of the meeting was stated by the chair to be the formation of a corporation for mental improvement and promotion of education…”
January 29, 1851
Ripon College is incorporated under its first name of Brockway College. William Brockway donated the largest sum of $250 towards funding the creation of the college and was thus given naming rights.
April 2, 1853
The villages of Ceresco and Ripon are united under the town name Morena. However, everyone ignored the change and simply referred to the town as Ripon.
March 1854
On this date, Alvan E. Bovay leads the first of multiple meetings in Ripon’s Little White Schoolhouse that results in the creation of the Republican Party.
1861
In the fall of 1861, Brockway College closed for one year due to the Civil War. East Hall was rented to the U.S. Army for $5 a day and served as the headquarters of the First Wisconsin Cavalry. After being closed for a full year, prepartory classes at the College resumed in the fall of 1862. E.H. Merrell, who would later become the second president of the College, arrives to begin his teaching career.
1863
Construction of Middle College is completed in 1863. Originally, this building served as a women’s dormitory and also housed meeting rooms and classrooms. Middle College is now known as Smith Hall and still used for Financial Aid and Advancement.
1863
The construction of President Merriman’s home is begun and completed in 1863. Having gone through several owners, name changes, and uses, the house is currently known as the Evans Admissions Center at Hughes House.
July 21, 1863
William E. Merriman is elected by the board of trustees as the first president of Brockway College
March 1864
Though the change may have occurred prior to this date, the name Ripon College formally replaces that of Brockway College in March. The College’s relationship with the Brockway family had soured by this time, and College leaders thought the new name would provide a closer tie to the local community and boost fundraising. However, the name Brockway College was still used locally for a few years after the formal change.
1867
In the spring of 1867, Ripon College graduated its first class of students. The class consisted of four women: Luthera H. Adams, Harriet H. Brown, Mary F. Spencer, and Susan A.W. Salisbury.
1952
Ripon College is awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Only 290 colleges and universities in the country have received this honor.
1956
WRPN, our student radio station, is established on campus.
1991
The nickname of the College was changed from Red Men and Red Ladies (formerly Redmen) to Red Hawks and new logos were designed.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullam
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco labor