Appleton is located in the US State of Wisconsin, on the Fox River. It is a city in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago Counties in the state. It is the principal city of the Appleton, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a population of 70,087 as of the year 2000. It is the largest of the "Fox Cities" which is comprised of multiple communities along the Fox River.

Europeans were the first settlers in Appleton. These were fur traders seeking to do business with the Indians in Fox River Valley. Appleton has experienced economic prosperity over the years. It is known as paper industry with the first paper mill built in the city in 1853. This industry served as the forefront for development of Appleton. Appleton is home to several national firsts such as being the first residence in the world to be powered by a centrally located hydroelectric station. Appleton was also home to the operation of a commercially successful electric streetcar company. The city also had the first telephone in all of Wisconsin and the first to feature incandescent light in any city outside of the East Coast. The Valley Fair Shopping Center was also claimed to the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States. Appleton is also known for being the childhood home of Harry Houdini. Though a small community, Appleton has a lot of sophistication and known for being a pleasant and beautiful place to live in.