Bonduel Wisconsin History

Bonduel, Wisconsin, is a small village located in Shawano County. The Village of Bonduel was named after the Reverend F. Bonduel, a Green Bay who founded the Catholic mission at Keshena in 1853. As a result of his journey though the area rendering missionary services to the Native Americans, the Village received its name. Bonduel is known as home of the Bears. The legend is that Reverend F. Bonduel was attacked by an offender, when two bears came to his defense, scaring the attacker away. It is said that after that time, the bears followed him and protected him from harm.

Bonduel incorporated in 1916 and officially became a Village. Bonduel is the largest Village in Shawano County, which is nestled at the crossroads of State Highways 29 and 47. The small-town community has a population of approximately 1,500 residents.

In its early days, Bonduel was primarily an agricultural community, with farming being the mainstay of the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century helped to boost the village’s growth by improving transportation and trade opportunities. Over the years, Bonduel has maintained its rural charm while developing a close-knit community atmosphere.

As founded, the community did not have an officially agreed upon name. Some early news reports called it Hartland Corners, presumably in reference to the surrounding town, named Hartland. The name Bonduel was not established for the community until an application for a post office was made in 1864, at which point “Hartland” was rejected as already being in use as a village name in Wisconsin. Therefore, the village was named Bonduel when the post office was created.  The village is named after a Jesuit missionary, the Rev. Florimond Bonduel, who served Wisconsin parishes and who worked with the Menominee Indians, helping them settle on their newly created reservation in 1853.

Today, Bonduel is known for its small-town feel, local events, and community spirit. The village hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration, which includes a parade, fireworks, and various family-friendly activities. Additionally, Bonduel is home to several parks and recreational areas, offering residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor activities.

Bonduel offers a home town atmosphere that prides itself in rich traditions.