Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Black River Falls is a city in Jackson County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 3,622 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
of Jackson County
. The Ho-Chunk
Nation has its administrative center in Black River Falls.
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Black River Falls was founded to utilize the waterpower of the Black River
. As the area was predominantly forest at the time, its primary use was in operating sawmill
s. Some of the lumber produced was used in the construction of the Mormon
temple at Nauvoo, Illinois
.
A large monument to Black River Falls' veterans of World War I
, World War II
, the Korean War
, and the Vietnam War
, as well as to local Medal of Honor
recipient Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.
, was erected near the Chamber of Commerce Building at 101 S. 2nd Street. Named the "Field of Honor", the attached plaques provide accounts of the veterans' services. This site is also the start of the four-mile (6.5 km) Foundation Trail, a signed hiking and bike path that circles the eastern part of the community.
, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.4 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (3.08%) is water.
The city is located on the falls of the Black River
at the northeast edge of the Driftless Area, where the river cuts through a region of granite. The falls are covered by a hydroelectric dam, forming the 200 acre (0.809372 km²) Black River Flowage.
of 2000, there were 3,618 people, 1,563 households, and 886 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,146.4 people per square mile (442.1/km²). There were 1,679 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.37% White, 0.19% African American, 4.73% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.
There were 1,563 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,555, and the median income for a family was $46,222. Males had a median income of $31,481 versus $18,519 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,532. About 3.7% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
and tourism
. Several locations support the tourism industry. Lake Arbutus, a 839 acres (3.4 km²) impoundment of the river, lies several miles northeast, as does the multi-use Levis/Trow trail system
. Black River Falls is home to a casino
and hotel operated by the Ho-Chunk
Nation. Much of the surrounding land is part of the Black River State Forest
, the city's public high school located on the southwestern edge of town, is administered by the Black River Falls School District. The former high school, in the center of the city, has been converted to apartments. Western Technical College
offers classes in the city.
WWIS Radio operates the only radio stations in Black River Falls: WWIS 1260AM and WWIS 99.7FM. The AM station operates only during daytime hours.
's book Wisconsin Death Trip
(1973), which used photographs and newspaper cuttings to highlight the harshness of life in the community during the late nineteenth century and the effects it had on the psychology of the inhabitants. The book was made into a film in 2000, which included images from the community as it appears today. However the claim that all the stories took place in and around Black River Falls is false. The majority of the stories origins are from all over the state of Wisconsin, not just this one town.
The Black River Falls area is home to a large population of the endangered Karner Blue
butterfly
. The city celebrates with the Karner Blue Butterfly Festival held annually on the second Saturday of July.
, which passes through the eastern edge of the city. US Highway 12, Wisconsin Highway 27, and Wisconsin Highway 54 also pass through the city.
The Union Pacific Railroad
is adjacent to the city, but does not pass through the center.
Jackson County, Wisconsin
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 19,886. Its county seat is Black River Falls. Jackson County was formed from Crawford County in 1853.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,622 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Jackson County
Jackson County, Wisconsin
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 19,886. Its county seat is Black River Falls. Jackson County was formed from Crawford County in 1853.-Geography:According to the U.S...
. The Ho-Chunk
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
Nation has its administrative center in Black River Falls.
History
Black River (Wisconsin)
Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 160 miles long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at approximately west of the village of Rib Lake....
. As the area was predominantly forest at the time, its primary use was in operating sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s. Some of the lumber produced was used in the construction of the Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
temple at Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
.
A large monument to Black River Falls' veterans of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, as well as to local Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.
Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr.
Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War...
, was erected near the Chamber of Commerce Building at 101 S. 2nd Street. Named the "Field of Honor", the attached plaques provide accounts of the veterans' services. This site is also the start of the four-mile (6.5 km) Foundation Trail, a signed hiking and bike path that circles the eastern part of the community.
Geography
Black River Falls is located at 44°17′50"N 90°50′57"W (44.297166, -90.849263). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.4 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (3.08%) is water.
The city is located on the falls of the Black River
Black River (Wisconsin)
Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 160 miles long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at approximately west of the village of Rib Lake....
at the northeast edge of the Driftless Area, where the river cuts through a region of granite. The falls are covered by a hydroelectric dam, forming the 200 acre (0.809372 km²) Black River Flowage.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,618 people, 1,563 households, and 886 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,146.4 people per square mile (442.1/km²). There were 1,679 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.37% White, 0.19% African American, 4.73% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.
There were 1,563 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,555, and the median income for a family was $46,222. Males had a median income of $31,481 versus $18,519 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $21,532. About 3.7% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
While the logging and lumber industry is still present in the area, the current economy leans heavily on agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. Several locations support the tourism industry. Lake Arbutus, a 839 acres (3.4 km²) impoundment of the river, lies several miles northeast, as does the multi-use Levis/Trow trail system
Levis/Trow trail system
The Levis/Trow trail system is a 34-mile network of trails in Clark County, Wisconsin, United States, west of Neillsville, used for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. It consists of two types of trails, doubletrack and singletrack. The doubletrack is groomed for cross-country...
. Black River Falls is home to a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
and hotel operated by the Ho-Chunk
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
Nation. Much of the surrounding land is part of the Black River State Forest
Government
City Hall, located at 101 S. 2nd St, houses the mayor, Ron Danielson; the city administrator, Bill Arndt; deputy city clerks and treasurers; the Parks and Recreation Department and the Police Department. Offices for Jackson County are located on Main Street.Education
Black River Falls High SchoolBlack River Falls High School
Black River Falls High School is a public school serving grades 9 through 12 in Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States.-Current administration:...
, the city's public high school located on the southwestern edge of town, is administered by the Black River Falls School District. The former high school, in the center of the city, has been converted to apartments. Western Technical College
Western Technical College
Western Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. The main campus is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.The school was previously known as Western Wisconsin Technical College , but the "Wisconsin" part of the name was officially dropped on March 29, 2006.-Other...
offers classes in the city.
Media
Despite its size, Black River Falls has two newspapers, both published weekly: the Banner-Journal and the Jackson County Chronicle.WWIS Radio operates the only radio stations in Black River Falls: WWIS 1260AM and WWIS 99.7FM. The AM station operates only during daytime hours.
Culture
Black River Falls is the focus of Michael LesyMichael Lesy
Michael Lesy is a writer and professor of literary journalism at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. His books, which combine historical photographs with his own writing, include Wisconsin Death Trip , Time Frames: The Meaning of Family Pictures , Bearing Witness: A Photographic Chronicle...
's book Wisconsin Death Trip
Wisconsin Death Trip
Wisconsin Death Trip is a non-fiction book by Michael Lesy, first published in 1973. It has been adapted into a film.The book is based on a collection of late 19th century photographs by Jackson County, Wisconsin photographer Charles Van Schaick, mostly in the city of Black River Falls, and local...
(1973), which used photographs and newspaper cuttings to highlight the harshness of life in the community during the late nineteenth century and the effects it had on the psychology of the inhabitants. The book was made into a film in 2000, which included images from the community as it appears today. However the claim that all the stories took place in and around Black River Falls is false. The majority of the stories origins are from all over the state of Wisconsin, not just this one town.
The Black River Falls area is home to a large population of the endangered Karner Blue
Karner Blue
The Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, is a small, blue butterfly found in small areas of New Jersey, the Great Lakes region, southern New Hampshire, and the Capital District region of New York. The butterfly, whose lifecycle depends on the wild blue lupine flower , is classified as an...
butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
. The city celebrates with the Karner Blue Butterfly Festival held annually on the second Saturday of July.
Transportation
The primary artery of transportation for Black River Falls is Interstate 94Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
, which passes through the eastern edge of the city. US Highway 12, Wisconsin Highway 27, and Wisconsin Highway 54 also pass through the city.
The Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
is adjacent to the city, but does not pass through the center.
Notable people
- Simon BensonSimon BensonSimon Benson was a noted businessman and philanthropist from Portland, Oregon.-Background:Simon Benson was born Simon Iversen in Norway, one of seven children in the Berger Iversen family. His eldest brother Jon immigrated to the United States in 1861, followed by his sister Mathea in 1865...
- Oregon businessman - Lawrence M. HagenLawrence M. Hagen-Biography:Hagen was born on April 4, 1904 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. On February 14, 1974 he would marry Hazel Florence Sanderson. Hagen died on June 8, 1992. He was buried in Superior, Wisconsin.-Career:...
- Wisconsin State Assembly - Phil HaugstadPhil HaugstadPhilip Donald Haugstad was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Haugstad pitched from 1947-1952 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
- baseball player - Merlin HullMerlin HullMerlin Hull was a Wisconsin lawyer, a newspaper publisher, and a member of the United States House of Representatives....
- U.S. Representative - Lester JohnsonLester JohnsonLester Roland Johnson was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.-Biography:Born in Brandon, Wisconsin, Johnson attended the public schools and Lawrence University from 1919 to 1921....
- U.S. Representative - Truman LoweTruman LoweTruman Lowe is a Ho-Chunk sculptor and installation artist living in Wisconsin. A professor of fine art at the University of Wisconsin, Lowe is the former curator of contemporary art at the National Museum of the American Indian...
- Native American sculptor - Terry MusserTerry MusserTerry M. Musser is a Wisconsin politician.Born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, Musser was a Vietnam War veteran. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1985 until his retirement in 2009.-Notes:...
- Wisconsin State Assembly - Hugh H. PriceHugh H. PriceHugh Hiram Price was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, son of William T. Price.Born at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, Price attended the grade and high schools, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
- U.S. Representative - William T. PriceWilliam T. PriceWilliam Thompson Price was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, father of Hugh H. Price.Born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Price attended the common schools....
- U.S. Representative - Ernie RudolphErnie RudolphErnest William Rudolph was a Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in seven games, all in relief, for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. The 36-year-old rookie right-hander stood 5'8" and weighed 165 lbs....
- MLB player
External links
- blackriverfalls.com City and city government information
- Black River Area Chamber of Commerce
- Black River Falls Downtown Association
- Black River Falls Public Library
- School District of Black River Falls