Appleton, city in eastern Wisconsin, on the Fox River, near Lake Winnebago. Appleton is the seat of Outagamie County, and is also in Calumet and Winnebago counties. Paper and paper products are manufactured, as well as machinery, motor vehicles, and farm equipment. Lawrence University (1847), Fox Valley Technical College (1967), and a junior college are in Appleton. In 1882 Appleton became one of the world's first cities to have water-generated electricity; a replica of the original hydroelectric plant and Hearthstone, a hydroelectric house, are local attractions. The city is named for Samuel Appleton, father-in-law of the founder of Lawrence University. Settled in 1835, Appleton was incorporated as a city in 1857. Population 58,913 (1980); 65,695 (1990); 70,087 (2000).
