in 1670, a french priest, jean claude allouez, landed his canoe in what is now menominee park in oshkosh. he came to hold mass for the indians. european settlers came to the area as early as 1818 and a trading post was set up. by 1837 the small community became known as 'athens'. in an election in 1840 the name was changed to honor (or flatter) the menominee chief oshkosh (meaning 'claw' or 'brave'). oshkosh became a city in 1853.