Under the leadership of John Luraas, 40 pioneers came to Muskego Lake from Norway in 1839 to found one of the most important settlements in Norwegian-American history. After temporary set-backs, the settlement flourished here through the leadership of Even Heg, Johannes Johanassen, Soren Bache, Elling Eilsen, James Reymert, and Claus Clausen, who sent glowing reports back to Norway and encouraged a large movement to this country.

In 1843, the settlement gave rise to the first Norwegian Lutheran Congregation organized in America and published the first Norwegian-American newspaper. Old Muskego became well known as a mother colony to other settlements, schools, and churches springing up on the new frontier. Countless wagonloads of newcomers stopped here before continuing west.

Nearby Heg Park commemorates Colonel Hans C. Heg, one of Wisconsin's Civil War Heroes.