Village of Waterford History

Levi Barnes and Samuel Chapman established the area that would later become the Village of Waterford community on January 1, 1836, when they obtained waterpower rights on the Fox River. A dam was built and later a sawmill and flourmill were added which became the nucleus of Waterford. The Village developed as a result of the milling activities and got its name, “Waterford” because of its location at the shallow area of the Fox River where horse-drawn covered wagons could cross.

The Village would incorporate in 1906 and the first Village President, William Shenkenberg, was elected during the first election on February 20, 1906. The Village has since grown into a community of over four thousand residents, and offers shopping, industry and recreational opportunities.

It is the mission of the Village Board of Trustees to deliver open and accessible governance to the Village of Waterford.