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Local Historical Resources Available at Southwest Library
Library Kenosha File
The Kenosha File or Clippings File is a collection of selectively chosen, historically significant articles that have been cut from local newspapers, special inserts, or publicity pieces. These items have been placed in folders and organized under broad subject headings. City, county, town and village news related to history, buildings, events, government, business, industries, labor, community development, parks, schools, notable people and organizations, etc., is covered in these folders. Kenosha File articles obtained from the Kenosha News may also be viewed on microfilm reader/printers. Reference Services staff members will assist individuals interested in these resources and in using the Kenosha File Index. Some of the articles can be located in the Kenosha News Online Archives and printed upon request.
Newspapers
Newspapers extending back to June 16, 1840, for the city and county of Kenosha, are on microfilm. Reader/printers are available. Kenosha News coverage is January 11, 1895 to date; the most recent months of this daily newspaper are available in paper copy.
Microfilm
Newspapers for the city and county of Kenosha are on microfilm. Coverage for some publications extends back to 1840. Federal and State Census information related to the Wisconsin Territory and the area which became Kenosha County is also on microfilm. Reader/printers are available.
Kenosha News Online Archives
Reference Services at the Southwest Library currently has access to the Kenosha News Archives, a subscription database. This product contains information from issues extending back to the late 1980s; thorough indexing begins in late 1989. Article retrieval is by keywords and can be limited by time period. Staff members perform searches, print articles, or provide the dates of papers, and the sections in which articles appear, for individual examination on microfilm or in paper copy.
Directories (City, County & Telephone), Plat Books, Maps
The most extensive collections of city directories, telephone books, plat books, and maps for Kenosha and Kenosha County are located in Reference Services area. There are some 19th century resources and a substantial number of volumes covering the 20th century.
High School Yearbooks
Yearbooks from the city of Kenosha high schools are kept in file cabinets in the Reference Services area of the Southwest Library and must be used within the library. The most extensive holdings are for Mary D. Bradford and Tremper High Schools. A library or identification card is required to use the yearbooks.
Census (Federal and State)
Census materials related to the Wisconsin Territory and the area which became Kenosha County are primarily located on microfilm. Reader/printers are available. U.S. Federal Census records and indexes are also available through the KPL subscription databases HeritageQuest Online and Ancestry Library Edition.
