Jean Nicolet was the first European to visit the region at Green Bay in 1634. Soon afterward, French fur traders and missionaries followed. In 1763 the British gained control, but it was not until the War of 1812 that U.S. control was established. Lead miners first settled the area, followed by farmers and in 1851 with the completion of the railroad large farms and ranching began. Wisconsin became the 30th state of the union on May 29, 1848. Famous Wisconsinites include: Harry Houdini, Spencer Tracy, Orson Wells, Thornton Wilder and Frank Lloyd Wright. @
