The modern history of the Owen-Withee area dates back to the 1880s and 1890s logging era, when both Withee and Owen were first established as railroad stops in what was then known as the remote Black River Pineries (heavily wooded area). Withee celebrated 100 years in 2001, in honor of its incorporation as a village. Owen celebrated 75 years in 2000, in honor of its incorporation as a City. In 2025, Owen will be celebrating 100 years as a City.

It's been almost 25 years since Owen’s last birthday celebration in 2000. What are some of the significant things that have happened in or that have impacted the Owen–Withee area since that celebration, 25 years ago?

The entire world, let alone Owen-Withee has changed dramatically in the past 25 years. The millennium began with 9-11. Computers, smartphones and artificial intelligence are everywhere, and barely existed 25 years ago.

In the Owen – Withee area in the last 25 years:

Owen–Withee welcomes Y2K. The new millennium began on January 1, 2000. Despite widespread concerns, no computers crashed.

The Owen–Withee Area Historical Society was founded in June 2022. An affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society. The Society is headquartered in Owen, Wisconsin at the former Owen City Hall at 219 N. Pine Street.

State Highway enhancements.  Wisconsin State Highway 29 was expanded from two lanes to four lanes between Green Bay and Chippewa Falls. The new expanded highway opened in August 2000.

Dollar General opens in Owen. Dollar General, an American discount general store, headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, opened a store in Owen, Wisconsin in July 2015. As of January 2024, Dollar General has nearly 20,000 stores nationwide.

Global COVID Pandemic. The global COVID pandemic of 2020/2021 had a significant impact to Owen-Withee and every single person residing in the area.

High School Boys Football. The Owen-Withee High School boys football team with a record of 13-1, won the Wisconsin WIAA Class 7 high school football tournament in November 2014.

High School Girls Basketball. The Owen-Withee High School girls basketball teams of 2003, 2005 and 2012 finished as the runner-up WIAA state champion. The 2014 Owen-Withee High School girls basketball team also participated at the state championship round as a Sectional champion.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Longwood Fire. A tragic fire believed to have been caused by lightning, destroyed the 100+ year old church at Longwood in July 2024. The history of the church dates to 1884.

Population Shift. Mennonites first settled in the Owen-Withee area in 1973. In the 50 years since then, the population of the Owen-Withee area is now nearly 50% Mennonite, with the surrounding land area owned in excess of 50% by Mennonites. That has had a big impact. The student population of Owen-Withee public schools has declined dramatically. The 2024 graduating class of Owen-Withee High School was only 22 students.