Sauk City originally stood at the site of an important Indian village. Jonathan Carver visited on October 9, 1766 and wrote, "This is the largest and best built Indian town I ever saw. It contains about 90 houses, each large enough for several families. The streets are regular and spacious." In 1838 the first white settlers arrived, led by Berry Haney. Count Agoston Haraszthy platted Sauk City on April 26, 1845. Incorporated March 30, 1854, its original charter continues to the present day, making Sauk City the oldest incorporated village in Wisconsin.