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Welcome
About
Byron Center
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and Recreation
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Last
Updated
02/04/08
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 Our
history:
“These
grounds feel like such a spiritual place”.
People have been gathering here for the purpose of growing closer
to God for a long time.
The
first white settlers arrived in Byron Township in 1839.
In 1845 Rev. Vaughn and friends moved from Genessee, N.Y. to what
is known as Genessee Corners. In 1848 he was instrumental in organizing the first Byron
Camp Meeting; a movement began in Kentucky in 1801.
This property was first rented from Mathias Divers, a farmer.
Located on a prominent section of “the Ledge” it’s
difficult to till and poor pastureland. The springs flowing out of the limestone provided good
drinking water and “refrigeration” for food brought in crocks and
jars. The Methodist, and
several other denominations, held gatherings here every year, making
Byron Center the oldest “camp” in the United States.
Prior
to camp meetings, this property, again with fresh water springs, was
popular with Native Americans en route from the Lake Winnebago waters to
the Horicon Marsh. Earlier, archeologists believe the Ledge may have
been shoreline for a glacier age sea preceding Lake Michigan.
The first whale bone, a tooth, found in Wisconsin was discovered
at Byron Center.
The
Byron Campgrounds/ Camp Byron/ Byron Center has changed over the years.
In the mid-1800’s Milwaukee was the largest Wisconsin city,
Green Bay second and Fond du Lac the third largest, making Byron
centrally located. The need to employ guards to prevent boys from
stealing buggy whips while owners attended meetings is an oft-told tale.
It is difficult to imagine a time when there was need for a cheese
factory and school on every corner, but we sit between the old Genessee
Corners and Campground schools and cheese factories, with the common
cemetery halfway in between on the highest hill.
Addition of the narrow gauge railroad enhanced opportunities for
attendance. During Camp Meeting an extra run was made from Fond du Lac,
dropping off at “the sheep shed”, just east of the cheese factory.
Meetings were held, but participant numbers reduced during the
Civil War and both World Wars. The Chautauqua movement beginning in the
1870’s enriched program, making it broader in scope; more liberally
educational. In the
1920’s the strong Methodist youth movement, Epworth League, made up
for dwindling interest in camp meetings.
After
WWII returning G.I.’s were instrumental in stimulating the small group
camp movement; many utilizing plentiful army surplus equipment.
Units usually consisted of a boy’s and a girl’s tent with a
common kitchen fly and cooking/gathering area.
This was a short-lived program at Byron, discontinuing in early
1970’s. In the late
1960’s an intentional effort was made to offer adult programs.
Some of today’s programs, Prime Timers and Single Parent Family
retreats, sprung out of those efforts.
Today
we host all types of non-profit groups, primarily churches.
Although things look different than in 1848 the intent is the
same. The Wisconsin United Methodist Church has faithfully supported
this ministry of creating a place for groups to gather and grow closer
to God through nature, scripture, friends and better understanding
ourselves.
Byron Center is governed by the Board of
Camps and Retreat Ministry and owned by the Wisconsin Annual Conference
of the United Methodist Church.
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Byron Center