We’re in the middle of our 5 Trivia Tidbits theme week. Wisconsin is nicknamed The Badger State – but it’s not for the reason you might think! It has nothing to do with the animal. In the 1820’s, the economy in the territory shifted from fur trading to lead mining. Mining brought immigrants from throughout the U.S. and Europe to the area. These miners either didn’t have the means or the time to build traditional homes on their lead mining claim. Instead, they lived in dens or caves dug into the hillsides. People started calling them badgers for living in burrows like animals, and the name became a proud symbol of the state. Badgers are college mascots, featured on the state flag, and they’re the official state animal. Learn more here.