Visit Grafton WI

02/22/2025

Treat yourself or others at Handmade With Love

02/21/2025

Grafton has the perfect place for you to stay when you go to Country in the Burg.

02/21/2025

02/17/2025

Lion's Den is beautiful in the winter! A great picture from Nickee Anderson from Grafton, WI

02/17/2025

Lion's Den
https://www.ozaukeecounty.gov/662/Lions-Den-Gorge-Nature-Preserve

02/13/2025

Feel right at home with your stay with TownePlace Suites Milwaukee Grafton.

Feel at home when you choose to stay with us.

02/13/2025

We had a beautiful snowfall yesterday!

02/11/2025

Beautiful view of Lake Michigan from Lion's Den in Grafton.

OZAUKEE COUNTY — Ozaukee County isn’t just a fantastic place to l

02/07/2025

www.grafton-wi.org

02/06/2025

If you have driven in Downtown Grafton WI, you have noticed our Paramount Plaza and have seen the Paramount Walk of Fame with names of influential Blues artists - some who have even recorded their albums right here in GraftonWI! During the month of February, the GACC honored Black Blues artists who faced adversity, persevered amidst cultural challenges and made history right here in Grafton Since 2006, Grafton has honored blues musicians on our Paramount Blues Walk of Fame in Downtown Grafton.
Below is a complete list of the names of Blues artists that are honored in Downtown Grafton.
2006: Henry Townsend, Charley Patton and Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
2007: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Nehemiah Curtis James, Thomas A Dorsey and Louis Armstrong
2008: Eddie "Son" House Jr., Joe "King" Oliver and Arthur Blind Blake
2009: Mississippi Sheiks and Ida Cox
2010: Tommy Johnson and William Lee Conley Broonzy "Big Bill"
2011: Alberta Hunters, Papa Charlie Jackson
2012: Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton and James Fletcher Henderson
2013: Roosevelt Sykes and Ethel Waters
2014: Edward "Kid" Ory and Meade "Lux" Lewis
2015: William Ezell
2016: Wilmer Watts
2017: Cora "Lovie" Austin
2018: Blind Joe Reynolds, Charlie Poole and Johnny Dodds
2019: Charlie Spand, Smyth-West Orchestra and Ishmon Bracey
2020: Gustavus "Gus" Cannon, Elzadie Robinson, Coleman Hawkins, Famous Blue Jay Singers
2021: Hattie McDaniel, Beale Street Sheiks, King Solomon Hill, Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins
*Thank you for following along with us this month as we honored these Blues artists who not only made an impact in Blues music history, but also our small town! As more honorees are named, we will update you each year!*

02/05/2025

Looking for a place to stay while in Grafton. Check out this Air B&B.

Stylish Home, Ideally Located, w/Carpenter Kitchen

02/04/2025

In the early days of Grafton, travelers would visit the tavern, rest and even purchase steamship tickets in the Wisconsin Haus. Around 1892, it was demolished and on the same site, a three story building was built into what was one of the finest hotels in our area. It was also known as Hotel Niesen for a few years around 1906.— in Grafton.
In 1895, Ferdinand Mintzlaff established a lumber business next to the railroad tracks and grew into a larger building in 1936 which was known as Mintzlaff & Beherens Lumber & Coal Co. This business continued into the 1970s under different ownership. Ferdinand was an entrepreneur who was also involved in the beginning stages of the Grafton Telephone Co., Lincoln Light Co., three grist mills, and a foundry!
On March 30. 1896, the Village of Grafton was officially incorporated with a 128-4 vote. This was just the start of even more advances in Grafton's history. On Jul 1, the first volunteer fire department was founded with William Weber (a local brewer) as its Chief. The Grafton Hook & Ladder Co. consisted of 14 men and was formed on April 14, 1898. A sheriff was the law enforcement presence until 1956 when Elroy Hintz was its first Chief.
The Milwaukee Northern Railway Co expanded its electric interurban line from Milwaukee through the village to Port Washington in 1906. 1907 brought the Grafton State Bank established by Louis L. Zaun.
In 1917, the New York Recording Laboratories brought Grafton's Northern Chair Company and began recording and producing 78 rpm record in the factory on 12th Ave and Falls Road.
Grafton prospered in the 1920's and endured the Great Depression in the 1930's, however the village was able to make great strides because of its industrial roots.
A new Grafton High School was built in 1927 on the same block as the old Jackson School which was both the elementary and high schools. In 1931, a water treatment facility was built to serve the community.

02/04/2025

If you have driven in Downtown Grafton, you have noticed our Paramount Plaza and have seen the Paramount Walk of Fame with names of influential Blues artists - some who have even recorded their albums right here in Grafton! During the month of February, the GACC honored Black Blues artists who faced adversity, persevered amidst cultural challenges and made history right here in Grafton. Since 2006, Grafton has honored blues musicians on our Paramount Blues Walk of Fame in Downtown Grafton.
Below is a complete list of the names of Blues artists that are honored in Downtown Grafton.
2006: Henry Townsend, Charley Patton and Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
2007: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Nehemiah Curtis James, Thomas A Dorsey and Louis Armstrong
2008: Eddie "Son" House Jr., Joe "King" Oliver and Arthur Blind Blake
2009: Mississippi Sheiks and Ida Cox
2010: Tommy Johnson and William Lee Conley Broonzy "Big Bill"
2011: Alberta Hunters, Papa Charlie Jackson
2012: Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton and James Fletcher Henderson
2013: Roosevelt Sykes and Ethel Waters
2014: Edward "Kid" Ory and Meade "Lux" Lewis
2015: William Ezell
2016: Wilmer Watts
2017: Cora "Lovie" Austin
2018: Blind Joe Reynolds, Charlie Poole and Johnny Dodds
2019: Charlie Spand, Smyth-West Orchestra and Ishmon Bracey
2020: Gustavus "Gus" Cannon, Elzadie Robinson, Coleman Hawkins, Famous Blue Jay Singers
2021: Hattie McDaniel, Beale Street Sheiks, King Solomon Hill, Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins
*Thank you for following along with us this month as we honored these Blues artists who not only made an impact in Blues music history, but also our small town! As more honorees are named, we will update you each year!

02/04/2025

Paramount Plaza