History of Wausau, Florida
Source: Washington Floridas Twelfth County by E.W.Carswell
John B. Glen, a native of Scotland, who had spent some of his youthful years in Wausau, Wisconsin, is considered the founder of Wausau, Florida. Glen started the community by building a small store in 1889. Glen was subsequently appointed postmaster. He always insisted that the community's name be spelled Wausau, instead of Warsaw, as some people seemed to prefer. Glen's store was known for miles around for its stock of school supplies. Few store keepers in the area stocked such items.
On December 25, 1902, James Cox of Holmes Valley moved to Wausau, where he bought a store house from John T. Tiller and went into the mercantile business. "Mr. Cox is a nice, honest, progressive young man and the people of Wausau welcome him." said the Wausau correspondent of the Chipley Banner. A year later, the correspondent reported that Cox had moved into a "nice commodious store and opened up a fine stock of goods. John T. Tiller & Son have also opened up a new stock in the building just vacated by Mr. Cox."
"So," said the correspondent, "we now have s steam sawmill and cotton ginnery; a good school with an average of 40 pupils; three stores and a well conducted post office without muzzle; a healthy location, and we have decided to wait for the railroad until it is built."
July 4, 1907, was probably the biggest day in Wausau history. Thousands were on hand to celebrate Independence Day and the completion of the Birmingham, Columbus, and St. Andrew's Bay (Old B. C.) Railroad to Wausau. There had never been so much activity in Wausau, and it is unlikely that there has been since. "It was a scene to be remembered as the train pulled into town," said The Banner. "Our friends had turned out in mass to greet us and had formed in double line all up and down the railroad on both sides for almost a quarter of a mile. They has come from every direction and every place and had joined the citizens of Wausau in a hearty greeting to those aboard and amid the pealing music, waving the flags and cheer upon cheer the throngs were merged into an overflowing assemblage to participate in the celebration." The program included a baseball game, with Chipley playing Vernon; a fiddler's contest, a fireworks display, a flag-raising ceremony, public speaking, singing, and music by the Chipley Band. The railroad remained in operation until the late 1930s, when it finally closed in bankruptcy.
After weathering the depression of the 1930s and World War II, Wausau began undergoing a civic revival in the 1950s. That led in 1963 to incorporation as a municipality. Town officials promoted street lighting and paving projects, built a town hall and fire station, organized a volunteer fire department, built a community water system, enlarge the corporate area by annexing land at the request of nearby owners and acquired three fire trucks.
Wausau has gained a measure of national fame as the home of an annual Possum Festival, held on the first Saturday of each August. The event was the outgrowth of a "Fun Day" program, initiated in the 1960s by Dalton Carter. Program highlights include the election of a possum queen, a possum show and auction, a parade, and a daylong program of entertainment attended by thousands.
Today, Wausau is a small but vibrant community that values its historical roots while looking to the future. The town is known for its friendly atmosphere and commitment to preserving its unique character. Residents take pride in their heritage, and ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and services reflect a dedication to improving the quality of life for all.
