Kronenwetter, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Kronenwetter is a village in Marathon County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. It is the largest village by area in the State of Wisconsin and the third largest community by population in Marathon County. It is part of the Wausau
, Wisconsin
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of Kronenwetter was 7,210, an increase from the 2000 census which had the community at 5,369.. The residential community of Evergreen
is located in the village. Evergreen was a former census-designated place
.
, the village has a total area of 52.3 square miles (135.5 km²), of which, 51.9 square miles (134.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (0.69%) is water. This makes the Village of Kronenwetter the largest Village in the State of Wisconsin.
named Keeler dug a canal re-routing the Bull Jr. Creek over a drop to power a small sawmill
he built. Other buildings were built and the area became known as Keelerville. In 1857, Sebastian Kronenwetter
moved to the area and purchased the Keelerville sawmill, making it quite successful. In the years to follow Kronenwetter continued his success, owning a hotel and building a sawmill in what is now the city of Mosinee. In 1885, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
.
On November 11, 1886, the eastern section of the town of Mosinee was formed into a new town known as Kronenwetter. In 1902, Sebastian Kronenwetter died and was buried in the Mosinee cemetery
.
Kronenwetter expanded around 1910 when the Worzella brothers purchased 26,000 acres of land and built the Polish community of Peplin near the intersection of County Highway X and East State Highway 153. The brothers constructed a sawmill, store, office, blacksmith
shop, and living quarters for the workers. To advertise their new community, the brothers printed brochures describing the area in Polish
and sent them to major cities in the United States
. They also put advertisements in Polish language newspapers in those cities. To entice the Polish people to come, the brochures included pictures of beautiful farms, including buildings and livestock. Among the first to arrive were Vince Ruzga, Albert Wonsil and Alex Dyda. The Worzella brothers built homes for the settlers starting from $350 for a three room house and $450 for a five-room house. The sawmill eventually was shut down, but others were built in the area and were supported by the community as the lumber was needed for homes. The sawmills ceased operation in 1930. During those years, schools were built throughout the town and population expanded.
In the election of November 5, 2002, the residents chose by a referendum to create the Village of Kronenwetter from most of the town; this became effective on November 20. The first village board of trustees were sworn into office on January 13, 2003. On February 24, 2003, the village annexed the remainder of the town dissolving the town as a legal entity.
Residents of Kronenwetter use the postal zip code of 54455 for the nearby City of Mosinee, even though Kronenwetter is much larger than the City of Mosinee. In the Spring of 2010 residents were surveyed by the United States Postal Service to see whether residents would like to be able to use "Kronenwetter, WI 54455" as a valid address and a majority of residents voted yes. The joint 54455 zip code went into effect in mid-2010.
, but are also included in the aggregate numbers given here.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 5,369 people, 1,953 households, and 1,537 families residing in the town. The population density
was 103.4 people per square mile (39.9/km²). There were 1,953 housing units at an average density of 37.6 per square mile (14.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% White, 0.20% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,953 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present,
and 18.4% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,718, and the median income for a family was $60,324. Males had a median income of $38,635 versus $28,602 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,395. About 3.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
, serving students in the northern half of the village; and the Mosinee School District, serving students in the southern half of the village. Northland Lutheran High School
, a private Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod)
school for grades 9 through 12, is located in Kronenwetter.
.
Fire Department, a neighboring community.
Marathon County, Wisconsin
Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is part of the Wausau, WI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 134,063. Its county seat is Wausau.-Geography:...
, 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 the largest village by area in the State of Wisconsin and the third largest community by population in Marathon County. It is part of the Wausau
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
, 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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of Kronenwetter was 7,210, an increase from the 2000 census which had the community at 5,369.. The residential community of Evergreen
Evergreen, Marathon County, Wisconsin
Evergreen is a former census-designated place in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,611 at the 2000 census. Evergreen is now part of the village of Kronenwetter, which was incorporated on June 17, 2003.-Geography:...
is located in the village. Evergreen was a former census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
.
Geography
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 village has a total area of 52.3 square miles (135.5 km²), of which, 51.9 square miles (134.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (0.69%) is water. This makes the Village of Kronenwetter the largest Village in the State of Wisconsin.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 51
History
Prior to the formation of the town of Kronenwetter, the area was composed of several small settlements. Around 1855, a native-AmericanNative 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...
named Keeler dug a canal re-routing the Bull Jr. Creek over a drop to power a small 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....
he built. Other buildings were built and the area became known as Keelerville. In 1857, Sebastian Kronenwetter
Sebastian Kronenwetter
Sebastian Kronenwetter was a Wisconsin pioneer, businessman, and state legislator.Born in Württemberg, Germany, Kronenwetter and his family emigrated to the United States settling in Pennsylvania. In 1857, Kronenwetter came to Marathon County, Wisconsin, where he was in the logging and lumbering...
moved to the area and purchased the Keelerville sawmill, making it quite successful. In the years to follow Kronenwetter continued his success, owning a hotel and building a sawmill in what is now the city of Mosinee. In 1885, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The 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....
.
On November 11, 1886, the eastern section of the town of Mosinee was formed into a new town known as Kronenwetter. In 1902, Sebastian Kronenwetter died and was buried in the Mosinee cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
.
Kronenwetter expanded around 1910 when the Worzella brothers purchased 26,000 acres of land and built the Polish community of Peplin near the intersection of County Highway X and East State Highway 153. The brothers constructed a sawmill, store, office, blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop, and living quarters for the workers. To advertise their new community, the brothers printed brochures describing the area in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
and sent them to major cities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They also put advertisements in Polish language newspapers in those cities. To entice the Polish people to come, the brochures included pictures of beautiful farms, including buildings and livestock. Among the first to arrive were Vince Ruzga, Albert Wonsil and Alex Dyda. The Worzella brothers built homes for the settlers starting from $350 for a three room house and $450 for a five-room house. The sawmill eventually was shut down, but others were built in the area and were supported by the community as the lumber was needed for homes. The sawmills ceased operation in 1930. During those years, schools were built throughout the town and population expanded.
In the election of November 5, 2002, the residents chose by a referendum to create the Village of Kronenwetter from most of the town; this became effective on November 20. The first village board of trustees were sworn into office on January 13, 2003. On February 24, 2003, the village annexed the remainder of the town dissolving the town as a legal entity.
Residents of Kronenwetter use the postal zip code of 54455 for the nearby City of Mosinee, even though Kronenwetter is much larger than the City of Mosinee. In the Spring of 2010 residents were surveyed by the United States Postal Service to see whether residents would like to be able to use "Kronenwetter, WI 54455" as a valid address and a majority of residents voted yes. The joint 54455 zip code went into effect in mid-2010.
Demographics
In the 2000 census, separate reports were prepared for the most densely populated section or district. These are reported at Evergreen census districtEvergreen, Marathon County, Wisconsin
Evergreen is a former census-designated place in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,611 at the 2000 census. Evergreen is now part of the village of Kronenwetter, which was incorporated on June 17, 2003.-Geography:...
, but are also included in the aggregate numbers given here.
As of the census
Census
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 5,369 people, 1,953 households, and 1,537 families residing in the town. 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 103.4 people per square mile (39.9/km²). There were 1,953 housing units at an average density of 37.6 per square mile (14.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% White, 0.20% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.11% 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 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 1,953 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% 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, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present,
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,718, and the median income for a family was $60,324. Males had a median income of $38,635 versus $28,602 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 town was $23,395. About 3.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The village is served by two public school districts: the D.C. Everest School DistrictD.C. Everest School District
The D.C. Everest School District is a public school district serving the city of Schofield, the villages of Weston, Hatley, Rothschild, and Kronenwetter, and the towns of Ringle and Easton in central Wisconsin....
, serving students in the northern half of the village; and the Mosinee School District, serving students in the southern half of the village. Northland Lutheran High School
Northland Lutheran High School
Northland Lutheran High School is a Lutheran High School affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Kronenwetter, WI.-History:In March 1979 the Northland Lutheran High School formed an association and called John Schultz as the first Administrator and two teachers. Freshman and...
, a private Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod)
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of 2008, it had a baptized membership of over 389,364 in more than 1,290 congregations,...
school for grades 9 through 12, is located in Kronenwetter.
Parks and recreation
- Friendship Park: 2350 Sunny Meadow Drive
- Gooding Park: 2200 Old Highway 51
- Kronenwetter Forestry Unit: 4420 East State Highway 153
- Leather Camp Forestry Unit: 4445 East State Highway 153
- Municipal Park: 1582 Kronenwetter Drive
- Norm Plaza Memorial Park: 1077 Russell Street
- Seville Park: 2200 Glendalen Road
- Sunset Park: 2390 Terrebonne Drive
- Tower Park Recreational & Soccer Fields: 2355 Tower Road
Law enforcement
In 2004 the Village of Kronenwetter formed a police department, and Chief of Police Daniel Joling was hired as the first officer and sole member of the department. Through the years, more officers were added to the department, as well as clerical staff. The department staffing continues to grow and as of July 2, 2007 the Kronenwetter Police Department is on-duty 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.Fire/rescue
The Kronenwetter Fire Department provides fire and rescue services for the village of Kronenwetter and the Town of GuentherGuenther, Wisconsin
Guenther is a town in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 302 at the 2000 census...
.
Emergency medical services
EMS services are provided by the Rib MountainRib Mountain, Wisconsin
Rib Mountain is a town in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,556 at the 2000 census. Rib Mountain is part of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a suburb of Wausau and part of the Wausau Metropolitan Area...
Fire Department, a neighboring community.