Leighton, Wisconsin

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Leighton is a ghost town in Stiles Junction, Oconto County, Wisconsin. The town most likely became a ghost town in the early 1910s. The town established a post office in 1882 and it remained in operation for 4 years before being discontinued in 1886. [1] [2] Leighton was located approximately 1 mile west of Stiles Junction on County Highway 22. The town was near where the Leigh family had built a mill. [3]

History of Leighton

The town of Leighton was named for the Leigh family who had lived in the area and also established a mill nearby. [3]

A railroad was constructed in Leighton in late 1879. The first white female born in Oconto County, Effie A. Leigh, was born in the town of Leighton. John Leigh, the original proprietor of Leighton, was a native of Ireland. [4] The Stiles Junction school, originally called the Leigh Town School before the town became abandoned, was located in Leighton. [5]

Native Americans were a common sight in Stiles and Leighton. A burial ground for Native Americans was put in Leighton. [6]

In 1886, a forest fire that had been raging in the county burnt down a local farmers barn. The entire settlement of Leighton was in great danger of being destroyed. Luckily, everyone had escaped. In total, 2 barns, five tons of hay, and 2 hogs were destroyed/killed in the fire. [7] In 1887, the sawmill in Leighton owned by John Leigh was destroyed in a fire. [8]

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John Leigh was an American lumberman and politician.

References

  1. ↑ "Post Offices in Oconto County, Wisconsin". Postal History. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  2. ↑ "Wisconsin: Monroe - Outagamie". National Archives Catalog. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  3. 1 2 Rita. "LEIGHTOWN (past)". US Gen Websites. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  4. ↑ Western historical co., Chicago (1881). History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. . Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Chicago, Western historical company – via Internet Archive.
  5. ↑ "Historic Oconto County Schools". US Gen Websites. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  6. ↑ "Flash From The Past - 1971". US Gen Websites. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  7. ↑ "Flash From The Past - 1886". US Gen Websites. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  8. ↑ "Flash From The Past - 1887". US Gen Websites. Retrieved 2024-07-09.


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