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Welcome to De Pere.com! Our city is located in Brown County, Wisconsin, just south of Green Bay. De Pere was first incorporated as a city in 1883. The cities of De Pere and West De Pere merged in 1890, keeping the simple "De Pere" name. Our population at the 2000 census was 20,559.

Our greatest geographic landmark is the Fox River, which splits the west side of town from the east side. The river provides many recreational opportunities for fishing, boating and water skiiing in the summer, and also ice fishing in the winter. The beautiful Fox River Trail runs right through our city, along the river and through Voyageur Park. The trail is a great resource for walking, hiking, roller-blading and cycling.

Our name, "De Pere", comes from the French term "Les Rapides des Pères" (the rapids of the fathers). In 1671, a group of French Jesuit priests, led by Father Claude Allouez, established a mission here. They gave it that name out of respect for the rough waters of the Fox River. Our bridge that connects the east and west sides of town is now called the Claude Allouez Bridge.

Although our city is split in half by the river, we constantly strive to live and exist as a single city, as we have officially been for over 120 years. Frequent references to places like "East De Pere" or "West De Pere" are simple attempts to offer a geographic frame of reference; there are no cities with such names. A common misunderstanding about our city is that we have three high schools; that's not true. Our two high schools are simply "De Pere High School" and "West De Pere High School." But frequently, many people (including official city publications) use the name "East De Pere High School" which causes many outsiders to think this is a third school. There is no such place as "East De Pere High School". There never has been.

De Pere has nine public schools, each serving various grades from kindergarten through 12, including two high schools and one county-run school which handles children with special needs. We also have three Catholic elementary-level schools. De Pere is also the home of St. Norbert College, a Catholic Liberal Arts and Sciences school, founded by Abbot Bernard Pennings and the Norbertine community. Over a dozen churches in De Pere serve residents of many faiths.

Whether you live or work here in De Pere, or you're just passing through on a visit, I hope you will enjoy our quaint little town on the river.

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