Delavan, Wisconsin

Delavan
Looking west at downtown Delavan
Motto: 19th Century Circus Capital of America
Location of Delavan, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 42°37′59″N 88°38′37″W / 42.63306°N 88.64361°W / 42.63306; -88.64361Coordinates: 42°37′59″N 88°38′37″W / 42.63306°N 88.64361°W / 42.63306; -88.64361
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Walworth County
Area
• Total	7.22 sq mi (18.70 km2)
• Land	6.76 sq mi (17.51 km2)
• Water	0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2)  6.37%
Elevation	925 ft (282 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	8,463
• Estimate (2012)	8,481
• Density	1,251.9/sq mi (483.4/km2)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
Zip Code	53115
Area code(s)	262
Website	www.ci.delavan.wi.us

Delavan is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,463 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Delavan but the two entities are politically independent. City events include the Delavan Train Show in March, Cinco de Mayo in May, Heritage Fest in August, and Scarecrow Fest in September.

Delavan sits in the middle of what was at one time an inland sea. During the last Ice Age, many glaciers, the last of which was known as the Michigan tongue, covered this area. The Michigan tongue descended down what is now known as Lake Michigan. A large section of this glacier broke off, pushing southwest into the area now known as Walworth County. Geologists have called this section of the glacier "the Delavan lobe".

The first humans known to inhabit the Delavan area were Native Americans around the era of 1000 BC. Later, between 500-1000 AD, Mound Builders lived in what is now the Delavan Lake area. Mound Builders were of the Woodland culture. The effigy mounds they erected along the shores of Delavan Lake numbered well over 200, according to an archeological survey done in the late 19th century by Beloit College. Many were along the north shore of the lake where Lake Lawn Resort now stands. The Potawotomi Indians also settled around the lake in the late 18th century, although there were only an estimated 240 in the county. Some of their burial mounds are preserved in what is now Assembly Park.

From the mid-17th century through the mid-18th century, this area was part of what was known as "New France" and was under the French flag. It came under British rule and a part of the Province of Quebec following the French and Indian War. In accordance with the Treaty of Paris (1783), it was turned over to the United States and a part of the newly established Northwest Territory.

Between 1800 and 1836, the Delavan area was part of the Indiana Territory, followed by the Illinois Territory, finally becoming part of the Wisconsin Territory in 1836. Statehood was granted to Wisconsin in 1848.