Episode: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | John McGivern's Main Streets

Oshkosh, Wisconsin sits on the western shores of Lake Winnebago, where the Fox River meets the lake and the city’s “on the water” identity still shapes daily life. In this episode, Oshkosh is introduced through its name—linked to Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means “claw”—and its past as a true lumber town once nicknamed “Sawdust City,” rebuilt in the wake of the 1875 fire. John McGivern visits the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, and steps inside the EAA Museum to trace how a local airplane club grew into an organization with 300,000 members—and how the annual fly-in makes Oshkosh the busiest airport in the world for one week. Emmy Fink joins the aviation story through EAA’s Young Eagles program, which offers free introductory flights for kids ages 8–17. Along the way: a stop at Hughes Home Maid Chocolates (in business since 1942), a meal at Leon’s Drive-In, and a look at neighborhood favorites like the South Side Ice Yacht Club, Pete’s Garage, Bob’s Trails End, and Jerry’s Bar (open since 1911). The episode also visits UW–Oshkosh, explores the riverfront, and highlights community stories at the Paine Art Center and Gardens and the Oshkosh Kids Foundation’s Tiny House Village. 0:00 Intro 3:48 Wisconsin Herd ‪@WisconsinHerd‬ 6:43 EAA Museum @EAA 10:01 The Grand Oshkosh 10:50 Oshkosh Public Library ‪@OshkoshPublicLibrary1‬ 11:09 Hughes' Home Maid Chocolates 12:58 Oaks Candy Corner 14:11 Leons Frozen Custard 14:38 Andy & Eds Drive In 15:12 University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh @uwosh 16:15 Cruisn' Tikis Oshkosh 18:19 Southside Ice Yacht Club 18:26 Garage Pete's Bar 18:31 Bob's Trail Ends 18:36 Jerry's Bar 19:05 Oshkosh Bash 19:27 Oshkosh Corporation ‪@Oshkoshcorporation‬ 21:38 Oshkosh Public Museum ‪@OshkoshPublicMuseum‬ 22:32 Oshkosh Kids Foundation - Tiny House Village New Episodes drop every Thursday On Air Thursdays at 7:00pm on @pbswisconsin and @milwaukeepbs Check your local #PBS listings to find out where it airs across the Midwest or stream on YouTube and the free PBS Video App Stay Connected Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more: Instagram:   / mainstreetstv   Facebook:   / mainstreetstv   Twitter:   / mainstreetstv   We Want to Hear from You! What was your favorite spot from this episode? Let us know in the comments below! Discover More Check out our playlist for more amazing Main Streets stories. #JohnMcGivernsMainStreets #ExploreLocal #MidwestStories