Shortly after the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad built its line through in 1881, the village of Dousman came into existence. The building of the early railroads brought prosperity, and skilled craftsmen and merchants soon opened businesses to serve outlying communities. By the end of 1882, its businesses included a hotel, Cassidy's saloon, Thomas's store and post office, Hardell's grain elevator and lumber yard, and a blacksmith and wagon shop. Sometimes called Bullfrog Station because of the surrounding bogs and marshes, it was typical of the many Wisconsin railroad villages that sprang up during the 19th century. It was formally named Dousman in honor of Talbot C. Dousman, considered the first settler in the Town of Ottawa, with a claim dating to 1837. Located in the midst of a dairy and farming community, Dousman prospered, as it does today. Also important after the turn of the century were the state's first fish hatchery, known as the Trout Pond, and the marl beds some miles south of the village.