Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Fort Atkinson is a city in Jefferson County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. It is located on the Rock River
, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong
. In 1996, Money Magazine
named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.
. The city is located at the site of Fort Koshkonong
, which was used during that war. A replica of the original 1832 stockade has been built just outside of town, although not at the original site, nor in the original form which was at the confluence of the Rock and Bark River
s.
Much of the history and natural history of Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area is presented at the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine
's Visitor Center. The historical museum has a special Civil War
library and exhibit, as well. The museum is named after the Hoard family, who founded the nationally distributed dairy
farm
magazine, Hoard's Dairyman
. The Dairy Shrine portion of the complex portrays the history and significance of the dairy industry.
Another historic feature near Fort Atkinson is the General Atkinson Mound Group, a cluster of Indian
mounds located just south of town. Similar to the larger group of mounds at nearby Aztalan State Park
, the mounds are an artifact of Mississippian culture
in Wisconsin. Some of the mounds are effigy mound
s, resembling birds and turtles. There is also a 125 feet (38.1 m) long panther intaglio
west of town, the last remaining intaglio in the state.
Fort Atkinson's history is preserved in the Main Street
and Merchants Avenue
historic districts. Other Registered Historic Places include the Fort Atkinson Water Tower, Hoard's Dairyman Farm
and Jones Dairy Farm
.
Fort Atkinson is home to industry, health care and a growing tourist trade. The city's largest employer is Fort HealthCare with approximately 900 employees. Fort HealthCare is an integrated hospital and health system that attracts patients throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital is a modern, fully accredited, acute- and subacute-care facility with 110 licensed beds. More than 100 physicians are on staff. Fort Medical Group, a subsidiary of Fort HealthCare, employs more than 30 physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers. Satellite clinics offering primary and specialty care are located in Fort Atkinson, Cambridge, Edgerton, Elkhorn, Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Stoughton and Whitewater. Other services offered by Fort HealthCare include occupational medicine, rehabilitation and sports medicine, home health, a preferred provider network for employers known as FortCare, urgent care and more.
The Fireside Dinner Theatre, a self-described motorcoach attraction, draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. The city itself and key business owners have recently begun to expand the tourist trade with upscale shopping locations as well as general beautification along the river downtown. Other notable tourist attractions include a reconstruction of the original fort and the Cafe Carpe, noted throughout the state for hosting folk music
performances.
In industry, Fort Atkinson is home to Nasco Science
, a leading supplier of science educational products, Jones Dairy Farm, Cygnus Business Media
and Spacesaver.
, Highway 26
, Highway 89
and Highway 106
. Highway 26 provides easy access to Interstate 94
(to the north in Johnson Creek), leading to downtown Milwaukee in about an hour; and to Interstate 90
(to the south in Janesville
) leading to downtown Chicago
in about 2.5 hours. Highway 12 provides access to the Madison
metro area in about 45 minutes. General aviation interests are served by the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²), of which, 5.4 square miles (14.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.64%) is water.
of 2000, there were 11,621 people, 4,760 households, and 3,070 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,154.8 people per square mile (832.4/km²). There were 4,983 housing units at an average density of 924.0 per square mile (356.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.09% White, 0.34% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.
There were 4,760 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,807, and the median income for a family was $51,689. Males had a median income of $36,442 versus $23,852 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,008. 5.3% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-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...
. It is located on the Rock River
Rock River (Illinois)
The Rock River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Illinois. It rises in southeast Wisconsin, in the Theresa Marsh near Theresa, Wisconsin in northeast Dodge County, Wisconsin approximately south of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin...
, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong
Lake Koshkonong
Lake Koshkonong is a reservoir in southern Wisconsin. It lies along the Rock River, . down-river from Fort Atkinson, primarily in southwestern Jefferson County, although small portions of the lake extend into southeastern Dane and northern Rock counties....
. In 1996, Money Magazine
Money (magazine)
Money is published by Time Inc. Its first issue was published in October 1972. Its articles cover the gamut of personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues like paying for college, credit, career and home improvement...
named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.
History
Fort Atkinson was named after General Henry Atkinson, the commander of U.S. forces during the Black Hawk WarBlack Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. The city is located at the site of Fort Koshkonong
Fort Koshkonong
Fort Koshkonong was located at a site which today is in the city of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, about three blocks east of Main St. along Milwaukee Ave. General Henry Atkinson was the commander of the fort during the Black Hawk War. It was used as a station for local militia units and the US...
, which was used during that war. A replica of the original 1832 stockade has been built just outside of town, although not at the original site, nor in the original form which was at the confluence of the Rock and Bark River
Bark River (Rock River)
The Bark River is a tributary of the Rock River, about long, in southeastern Wisconsin in the United States. Via the Rock River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River. According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as the "Peelbark River"...
s.
Much of the history and natural history of Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area is presented at the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine
National Dairy Shrine
The National Dairy Shrine is an American dairying group founded in 1949 and based in Ohio. The shrine promotes the dairy industry and records its history. As of 2007, the organization had over 18,000 members from most facets of dairying...
's Visitor Center. The historical museum has a special Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
library and exhibit, as well. The museum is named after the Hoard family, who founded the nationally distributed dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
magazine, Hoard's Dairyman
Hoard's Dairyman
Hoard's Dairyman is an American magazine with international circulation. Known as the National Dairy Farm magazine, it contains articles about and for the dairy industry.-History:...
. The Dairy Shrine portion of the complex portrays the history and significance of the dairy industry.
Another historic feature near Fort Atkinson is the General Atkinson Mound Group, a cluster of Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
mounds located just south of town. Similar to the larger group of mounds at nearby Aztalan State Park
Aztalan State Park
Aztalan State Park is a Wisconsin state park located just south of the town of Aztalan, Wisconsin at latitude N 43° 4' and longitude W 88° 52', and established in 1952. It was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966...
, the mounds are an artifact of Mississippian culture
Mississippian culture
The Mississippian culture was a mound-building Native American culture that flourished in what is now the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1500 CE, varying regionally....
in Wisconsin. Some of the mounds are effigy mound
Effigy mound
Sites in the U.S. of similar history may be found at Indian Mounds ParkAn effigy mound is a raised pile of earth built in the shape of a stylized animal, symbol, religious figure, or human figure. Effigy mounds were only built during the Late Woodland Period .Effigy mounds were constructed in many...
s, resembling birds and turtles. There is also a 125 feet (38.1 m) long panther intaglio
Intaglio (burial mound)
Intaglio is a term from art applied to burial mounds that refers to a design cut into a hard surface. In this case, the burial mounds have designs cut into the ground, though intaglio broadly applies to burial mounds which are raised above the natural surface of the terrain. There are much more...
west of town, the last remaining intaglio in the state.
Fort Atkinson's history is preserved in the Main Street
Main Street Historic District (Fort Atkinson)
The Main Street Historic District in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The district is composed of 51 buildings on or within a block of Main Street....
and Merchants Avenue
Merchants Avenue Historic District
The Merchants Avenue Historic District in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin was placed on the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1986...
historic districts. Other Registered Historic Places include the Fort Atkinson Water Tower, Hoard's Dairyman Farm
Hoard's Dairyman Farm
The Hoard's Dairyman Farm was purchased in 1899 by W. D. Hoard, a former governor of Wisconsin and publisher of Hoard's Dairyman magazine. Hoard's primary motivation in operating the farm was to prove that alfalfa could be grown in northern climates. He demonstrated practical methods of growing,...
and Jones Dairy Farm
Jones Dairy Farm
Jones Dairy Farm is a family-owned and -operated food company that has been making all natural sausage, ham, Canadian bacon, bacon, scrapple, and liver sausage since 1889.- History :...
.
Economy
The Fireside Dinner Theatre, a self-described motorcoach attraction, draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. The city itself and key business owners have recently begun to expand the tourist trade with upscale shopping locations as well as general beautification along the river downtown. Other notable tourist attractions include a reconstruction of the original fort and the Cafe Carpe, noted throughout the state for hosting folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
performances.
In industry, Fort Atkinson is home to Nasco Science
Nasco Science
Nasco Science is a leading international supplier of science and educational products located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Their products include animals for dissection, physics and chemistry demonstration kits, and arts and crafts supplies....
, a leading supplier of science educational products, Jones Dairy Farm, Cygnus Business Media
Cygnus business media
Cygnus Business Media is a diversified microcap business-to-business media company, providing 1.7 million readers annually, according to the company, with more than 150 business media options, including business publications, trade shows, online opportunities, custom publications, directories,...
and Spacesaver.
Education
Fort Atkinson School District has 4 elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Barrie, Rockwell, Purdy, and Luther elementary schools serve grades 1-5, Fort Atkinson Middle School (FAMS) teaches grades 6-8, while the Fort Atkinson High School has grades 9-12. The high school's mascot is the "Blackhawks" named after Chief Blackhawk, who fought in a war against General Atkinson.Transportation
Primary automobile transportation is provided via Highway 12U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
, Highway 26
Highway 26 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 26 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The route is generally two-lane with the exception of a few urban multi-lane arterials...
, Highway 89
Highway 89 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 89 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs north–south in southeast Wisconsin from near Delavan to Columbus.-References:...
and Highway 106
Highway 106 (Wisconsin)
State Trunk Highway 106 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs west–east in southeastern Wisconsin between Albion and Palmyra....
. Highway 26 provides easy access to Interstate 94
Interstate 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...
(to the north in Johnson Creek), leading to downtown Milwaukee in about an hour; and to Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
(to the south in Janesville
Janesville, Wisconsin
Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
) leading to downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in about 2.5 hours. Highway 12 provides access to the Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
metro area in about 45 minutes. General aviation interests are served by the Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport.
Geography and climate
Fort Atkinson is located at 42°55′38"N 88°50′26"W (42.927091, -88.840446).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²), of which, 5.4 square miles (14.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.64%) is water.
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 11,621 people, 4,760 households, and 3,070 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 2,154.8 people per square mile (832.4/km²). There were 4,983 housing units at an average density of 924.0 per square mile (356.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.09% White, 0.34% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.87% 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 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.
There were 4,760 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% 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, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,807, and the median income for a family was $51,689. Males had a median income of $36,442 versus $23,852 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 $21,008. 5.3% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Notable residents
- Edgar CaldwellEdgar CaldwellEdgar Caldwell was an officer in the United States Army during World War I. He would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.His award citation reads:...
- Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
recipient - Lucien B. CaswellLucien B. CaswellLucien Bonaparte Caswell was an American politician.Born in Swanton, Vermont, he moved with his family to frontier Wisconsin in 1836 and settled along the Rock River, just south of Lake Koshkonong. Caswell attended Milton Academy and Beloit College, studying law...
- served in the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State AssemblyThe Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
and as a draft commissioner during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25... - Gerald L. EndlGerald L. EndlGerald Leon Endl was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
- Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe 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 - Charlie GrimmCharlie GrimmCharles John Grimm , nicknamed "Jolly Cholly", was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs; he was also a sometime radio broadcaster, and a popular goodwill ambassador for baseball...
- major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player and manager - William D. HoardWilliam D. HoardWilliam Dempster Hoard was the 16th Governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin from 1889 to 1891.-Early life:...
- Governor of WisconsinGovernor of WisconsinThe Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
1889-1891, founder of Daily Jefferson County Union newspaper and Hoard's DairymanHoard's DairymanHoard's Dairyman is an American magazine with international circulation. Known as the National Dairy Farm magazine, it contains articles about and for the dairy industry.-History:...
magazine - David KeeneDavid KeeneDavid A. Keene , President of the National Rifle Association as of May 2, 2011, was the chairman of the American Conservative Union, from 1984 to 2011. Additionally, he is the managing associate at the Carmen Group Lobbying, a lobbying firm based in Washington, D.C...
- current President of the National Rifle AssociationNational Rifle AssociationThe National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
and former chairman of the American Conservative UnionAmerican Conservative UnionThe American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:... - George MarstonGeorge MarstonGeorge White Marston was an American politician, department store owner, and philanthropist. Marston was involved with establishing Balboa Park, the San Diego Public Library System, and the Serra Museum...
- San Diego community leader and department store owner - Keith NeubertKeith NeubertKeith Robert Neubert is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He played two seasons for the New York Jets ....
- former professional footballNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Lorine NiedeckerLorine NiedeckerLorine Faith Niedecker was a Wisconsin poet and the only woman associated with the Objectivist poets...
- only woman associated with the Objectivist poetsObjectivist poetsThe Objectivist poets were a loose-knit group of second-generation Modernists who emerged in the 1930s. They were mainly American and were influenced by, amongst others, Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams... - John OfferdahlJohn OfferdahlJohn Offerdahl is an American former professional football player who played his entire eight year career with the Miami Dolphins from 1986 to 1993...
- former professional footballNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Craig RiceCraig Rice (author)Craig Rice was an American author of mystery novels and short stories, sometimes described as "the Dorothy Parker of detective fiction." She was the first mystery writer to appear on the cover of Time Magazine, on January 28, 1946.- Early Life :In 1908, Mary Randolph Craig reluctantly interrupted...
- author, mystery writer - Josh SawyerJosh SawyerJoshua Eric Sawyer is a video game designer active in the role playing game genre.-Early life and education:...
- a video game designer active in the role playing game genre - Howard WeissHoward WeissHoward "Howie" Weiss was an American football fullback. He was drafted in the third round of the 1939 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and played two seasons with the team...
- 1938 Big Ten football MVP - Whitey Woodin - former professional footballNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player