Mequanego was an Indian village and tribal seat of the Bear Clan of Potowatomi Indians.  They resided along the shore of Phantom Lake. The name Mequanego means, "Place of the Bear." Visit our nine foot, 1000 pound replica bear created by artist Dave Watson and gifted to the historical society located there. Our name changed to Mukwonago in 1844.

  Many village streets and town roads are named after our original settlers, such as Ira Blood, Sewall Andrews, and Thomas Sugden.

  The red brick house on the square is home to the museum. Built in 1842, by Sewall Andrews, using brick from a local brickyard, it was the first brick home in Waukesha County. The museum displays an extensive collection of Indian artifacts along with many priceless antiques.

  The years have seen many, many growth changes including the first general store, post office, bank, library, hotel, Inn, bakery, hardware store, blacksmith, newspaper and all the businesses that build a community.  We had our own bandstand in the square in 1910, then in 1912, a more elaborate structure was built there. Mukwonago also had it's own opera house until it was destroyed by fire in 1902. With the modern facilities of today mixed together with the quaintness of existing buildings, we like to think we have the best of both worlds!

  One of our local legends, the legend of Phantom Lake lives on! On September 2 of any year at half-past eleven in the night, a faint ghostly light comes over Phantom Lake (formerly know as Spirit Lake) and the scene, which causes the legend to continue, is reenacted! Come see for yourself the fatal struggles, hear the splash and screams as the rival lovers disappear into the darkened water. Watch the Phantom rise from the Lake to claim his bride!