The Fox River and its lovely surrounding valley in east central Wisconsin have supported Native Americans, French explorers, and finally, European settlers who built vibrant communities based on the power and riches supplied by the river. These communities today are known collectively as the Fox Cities.

Appleton is the largest of the Fox Cities. It was the hometown of magician Harry Houdini. It was also the location of the world's first home lighted by a central hydroelectric station, now the elegant Hearthstone Historic House Museum. The Fox Cities Stadium houses the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.