Located along one of Wisconsin's first transportation and communication routes, Omro developed quickly on the Fox River. French fur trader and blacksmith Charles Omreau had a trading post here and gave his name to the future city. Founded in 1842, Omro grew from a village in 1849 to a commercial center in 1857. By 1880 Omro was a stop on the railroad line and home to county fairgrounds, several mills, a glass factory, carriage factories, and more than 2000 residents.