Wisconsin Veterans Home

The Wisconsin Veterans Home stands on the Chain O Lakes in King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, on land the city of Waupaca donated, the former grounds of the Greenwood Park Hotel, to the Grand Army of the Republic for the care of Civil War veterans. The Civil War physician Dr. Frederick Marden led the organizing committee and championed admitting veterans spouses and semi independent cottage living, and the home opened on August 18, 1888, about a year after his death. At its peak the home employed nearly 1,000 staff and ran as a largely self contained community with its own fire department, though staffing had fallen to about 500 by the early 2020s and some services, including the fire department, were discontinued. Five properties on the grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.