Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Manitowish Waters is a town in Vilas County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 646 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Manitowish Waters
is located in the town.
. During the summer, the population increases dramatically as tourists come from all around the Midwest
.
It is also known as an artists' enclave, with many artist studios and gift shops located in the town square and surrounding areas. Another tourist attraction is the ski team, the Skiing Skeeters, who perform free shows two nights a week throughout the summer.
, the town has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94.4 km²), of which, 30.4 square miles (78.6 km²) of it is land and 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²) of it (16.69%) is water.
of 2000, there were 646 people, 301 households, and 208 families residing in the town. The population density
was 21.3 people per square mile (8.2/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 36.3 per square mile (14.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.07% White, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.
There were 301 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples
living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% 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 2.56.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.1% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 113.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $49,375. Males had a median income of $36,518 versus $20,114 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,042. About 5.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
on Little Star Lake in Manitowish Waters, then owned by Emil Wanatka, the Dillinger Gang and FBI were involved in a shoot-out, which resulted in the accidental shooting death of a local resident and two Civilian Conservation Corps
workers at the hands of the FBI, who mistook them for an escaping John Dillinger
and members of his gang. Agent W Carter Baum was also killed by Baby Face Nelson
in the short gunfight. John Dillinger escaped from the battle unharmed. Scars of the shoot-out are still visible at the lodge. The site has been preserved. John Dillinger personal items (left behind after his hasty departure) are on display.
In the summer of 2008, the Little Bohemia Lodge was used in the filming of a recreation of these events in the 2009 Michael Mann film Public Enemies, a movie about Dillinger and the FBI starring Johnny Depp
as John Dillinger
and Christian Bale
as Melvin Purvis
.
Vilas County, Wisconsin
Vilas County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 21,033. Its county seat is Eagle River.-Settlement:Vilas County was set off from Oneida County on April 12, 1893 and named for William Freeman Vilas...
, 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 646 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Manitowish Waters
Manitowish Waters (community), Wisconsin
Manitowish Waters is an unincorporated community located in the town of Manitowish Waters, Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. Manitowish Waters is located near U.S. Route 51 north of Lac du Flambeau. Manitowish Waters has a post office with ZIP code 54545....
is located in the town.
Tourism
The town is best known for its chain of lakesManitowish Chain O Lakes
The Manitowish Chain O Lakes is a chain of lakes consisting of 10 lakes that includes: Rest Lake , Stone Lake , Fawn Lake , Clear Lake , Spider Lake , Island Lake , Manitowish Lake , Little Star Lake , Wild Rice Lake , and Alder Lake...
. During the summer, the population increases dramatically as tourists come from all around the Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
.
It is also known as an artists' enclave, with many artist studios and gift shops located in the town square and surrounding areas. Another tourist attraction is the ski team, the Skiing Skeeters, who perform free shows two nights a week throughout the summer.
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 town has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94.4 km²), of which, 30.4 square miles (78.6 km²) of it is land and 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²) of it (16.69%) 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 646 people, 301 households, and 208 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 21.3 people per square mile (8.2/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 36.3 per square mile (14.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.07% White, 0.46% 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 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.
There were 301 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% 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, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% 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 2.56.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.1% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 113.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $49,375. Males had a median income of $36,518 versus $20,114 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 $21,042. About 5.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
John Dillinger
At the still active Little Bohemia LodgeLittle Bohemia Lodge
The Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin was the site of the 1934 gun battle between John Dillinger and his gang, and Melvin Purvis and the FBI. The Lodge was built in 1927, suffered a fire in 1928, and was rebuilt in 1930...
on Little Star Lake in Manitowish Waters, then owned by Emil Wanatka, the Dillinger Gang and FBI were involved in a shoot-out, which resulted in the accidental shooting death of a local resident and two Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
workers at the hands of the FBI, who mistook them for an escaping John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
and members of his gang. Agent W Carter Baum was also killed by Baby Face Nelson
Baby Face Nelson
Lester Joseph Gillis , known under the pseudonym George Nelson, was a bank robber and murderer in the 1930s. Gillis was known as Baby Face Nelson, a name given to him due to his youthful appearance and small stature...
in the short gunfight. John Dillinger escaped from the battle unharmed. Scars of the shoot-out are still visible at the lodge. The site has been preserved. John Dillinger personal items (left behind after his hasty departure) are on display.
In the summer of 2008, the Little Bohemia Lodge was used in the filming of a recreation of these events in the 2009 Michael Mann film Public Enemies, a movie about Dillinger and the FBI starring Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
as John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
and Christian Bale
Christian Bale
Christian Charles Philip Bale is an English actor. Best known for his roles in American films, Bale has starred in both big budget Hollywood films and the smaller projects from independent producers and art houses....
as Melvin Purvis
Melvin Purvis
Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr. was an American law enforcement official and Federal Bureau of Investigation agent. He was given the nickname "Little Mel" because of his short stature...
.