Minocqua, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Minocqua is a town in north-western Oneida County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 4,385 at the 2010 census
. The census-designated place of Minocqua
is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Rantz
is also located in the town. Minocqua is commonly referred to as "The Island City."
In the late 1800's, Minocqua was a logging town and also saw a lot of French fur traders. The first white child born in town was named Minocqua Clawson. Clawson Hill was a famous landmark in town and is the current location of the Pointe Resort & Hotel at the south end of the Highway 51 bridge.
The railroad was a critical component of Minocqua's early growth. The Milwaukee Road railroad company originally came to the area to access timber. Later, railroads catered primarily to sportsmen and tourists, transforming Minocqua into the vacation getaway haven it remains to this day. The two railroad trestles that brought trains to the Island are still intact today and serve as the trailhead for the Bearskin State Trail (hiking and biking in summer, snowmobiling in winter).
Much of the town's business district was wiped out by a major fire in 1912. Many of the buildings on our main street today are those built after the fire. Like many main streets, the main street of Minocqua had a store for every need. Even into the 1970's Minocqua's main street contained three grocery stores, a fruit market, two car dealerships, a gas station, a bank, a dental office, a newspaper, two hardware stores, two pharmacies, a cafe, a candy store, a shoe shop and a few clothing stores.
While the last several decades have brought a higher percentage of visitor-oriented retail stores, the downtown still retains a U.S. Post Office, multiple banks, numerous restaurants...even an old fashioned barber shop. The Island serves as Minocqua's civic center; you'll find the Campanile Center for the Arts (former St. Patrick's Church), the Minocqua Police Department, Minocqua Fire Department and the Minocqua Community Center, which houses the town offices and newly-expanded public library.
Some of the more famous landmarks on the Island are Bosacki's Boathouse at the north end of the Highway 51 bridge (Bosacki's is now known as Matt Morgan's) and the Thirsty Whale, which is just down the shore from Matt Morgan's and built entirely over the water. Bosacki's burned to the ground in 1972; ordinarily a structure could not be rebuilt so close to--or in this case, partly over--water, but a public outcry convinced the DNR to allow it to be rebuilt where it was.
Torpy Park and its beach are also Island landmarks, along with the Belle-Isle building and the three-story Minocqua Community Center, which was originally the Minocqua Grade School and the Minocqua High School in days of yore. The Minocqua Community Center is where the town offices (third floor) and the Minocqua Public Library (first floor) are located.
There have been 30 town chairmen in the history of Minocqua. The list of early town chairmen reads like a who's-who of the early Minocqua settlers...names like A.O. Dorwin, Jacob Huber, Thomas Bolger, William Schlecht, and Dr. Torpy.
, the town has a total area of 168.1 square miles (435.4 km²), of which, 150.8 square miles (390.6 km²) of it is land and 17.3 square miles (44.8 km²) of it is water. The total area is 10.29% water.
Termed the "Island City," a portion of the town is situated on what was an actual island, which is accessible by bridge on Highway 51
and "the fill" to the north. Much of Minocqua has sandy soil, although areas of the far northwest and the northeast are clay. The majority of the soil is highly acidic and many areas are covered by forests. The marshes between Minocqua and Wisconsin Rapids
are cultivated for cranberry
production.
The highest point in Minocqua is Squirrel Hill, located near Winter Park (1735 ft per Wisconsin Blue Book). The second highest point on the island is located at Island Golf (1608 ft). The highest structure in Minocqua is the Lakeland Sanitary District water tower, a steel tank on Hwy 51 North put in place in the 1960s during the winter.
The community of Bo-di-Lac is located in the western portion of the town bordered by Squirrel Lake, Diamond Lake, Booth Lake, and the town of Lac Du Flambeau (Bo-di-Lac is short for "Booth-Diamond-Lac du Flambeau).
of 2000, there are 4,859 people, 2,189 households, and 1,488 families residing in the town. The population density
is 32.2 people per square mile (12.4/km²). There are 4,284 housing units at an average density of 28.4 per square mile (11.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.65% White, 0.04% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,189 households out of which 22.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are married couples
living together, 5.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% are non-families. 27.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.68.
In the town the population is spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,333, and the median income for a family is $50,466. Males have a median income of $41,272 versus $23,147 for females. The per capita income
for the town is $24,461. 6.5% of the population and 4.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.5% of those under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
plays a substantial role in the economy of Minocqua. As a forested lake community, there are many outdoor summer activities such as fishing, camping, waterskiing, boating, hiking, bike riding, berry collecting, and swimming. There is also a business strip which runs through downtown Minocqua (A.K.A "The Island") and to the north side of "The Fill" which has several tourist attractions and shopping. Downtown Minocqua is also home to the world's oldest amateur waterski team, the Min-Aqua Bats.
During the fall, rifle and bow hunting draw many hunters, as does the annual downtown merchants' Beef-a-Rama held the last Saturday in September. In winter, available activities include: snowmobile festivals, Nordic (cross country) skiing, ice fishing, downhill skiing in nearby mountains, snow tubing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and dining at area restaurants. Minocqua's nightlife includes bars featuring live music in the summer. During fall, driving through the northwoods admiring the fall colors is a popular activity. The arts play an important role in tourism and include the Northern Lights Playhouse, the Campanile Center for the Arts, and the annual HMMGG Festival
of Arts and Culture.
, and one large high school, Lakeland Union High School
. As well as a satellite campus of the Nicolet Area Technical College
located next to the high school.
Oneida County, Wisconsin
Oneida County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 36,776. Its county seat is Rhinelander.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,236 square miles , of which 1,124 square miles is land and 111 square...
, 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 4,385 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. The census-designated place of Minocqua
Minocqua (CDP), Wisconsin
Minocqua is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Minocqua, Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Minocqua is located on a peninsula on Minocqua Lake, northwest of Rhinelander. The community is served by U.S. Route 51. Minocqua has a post office with ZIP code 54548....
is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Rantz
Rantz, Wisconsin
Rantz is an unincorporated community located in the town of Minocqua, Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Rantz is located along the Bearskin State Trail south of the community of Minocqua and northwest of Rhinelander....
is also located in the town. Minocqua is commonly referred to as "The Island City."
History
Minocqua was officially organized in the year 1889. While there are varying explanations regarding the meaning of the word "Minocqua", most credit its origin to the Island's first inhabitants, the Ojibwe Indians.In the late 1800's, Minocqua was a logging town and also saw a lot of French fur traders. The first white child born in town was named Minocqua Clawson. Clawson Hill was a famous landmark in town and is the current location of the Pointe Resort & Hotel at the south end of the Highway 51 bridge.
The railroad was a critical component of Minocqua's early growth. The Milwaukee Road railroad company originally came to the area to access timber. Later, railroads catered primarily to sportsmen and tourists, transforming Minocqua into the vacation getaway haven it remains to this day. The two railroad trestles that brought trains to the Island are still intact today and serve as the trailhead for the Bearskin State Trail (hiking and biking in summer, snowmobiling in winter).
Much of the town's business district was wiped out by a major fire in 1912. Many of the buildings on our main street today are those built after the fire. Like many main streets, the main street of Minocqua had a store for every need. Even into the 1970's Minocqua's main street contained three grocery stores, a fruit market, two car dealerships, a gas station, a bank, a dental office, a newspaper, two hardware stores, two pharmacies, a cafe, a candy store, a shoe shop and a few clothing stores.
While the last several decades have brought a higher percentage of visitor-oriented retail stores, the downtown still retains a U.S. Post Office, multiple banks, numerous restaurants...even an old fashioned barber shop. The Island serves as Minocqua's civic center; you'll find the Campanile Center for the Arts (former St. Patrick's Church), the Minocqua Police Department, Minocqua Fire Department and the Minocqua Community Center, which houses the town offices and newly-expanded public library.
Some of the more famous landmarks on the Island are Bosacki's Boathouse at the north end of the Highway 51 bridge (Bosacki's is now known as Matt Morgan's) and the Thirsty Whale, which is just down the shore from Matt Morgan's and built entirely over the water. Bosacki's burned to the ground in 1972; ordinarily a structure could not be rebuilt so close to--or in this case, partly over--water, but a public outcry convinced the DNR to allow it to be rebuilt where it was.
Torpy Park and its beach are also Island landmarks, along with the Belle-Isle building and the three-story Minocqua Community Center, which was originally the Minocqua Grade School and the Minocqua High School in days of yore. The Minocqua Community Center is where the town offices (third floor) and the Minocqua Public Library (first floor) are located.
There have been 30 town chairmen in the history of Minocqua. The list of early town chairmen reads like a who's-who of the early Minocqua settlers...names like A.O. Dorwin, Jacob Huber, Thomas Bolger, William Schlecht, and Dr. Torpy.
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 168.1 square miles (435.4 km²), of which, 150.8 square miles (390.6 km²) of it is land and 17.3 square miles (44.8 km²) of it is water. The total area is 10.29% water.
Termed the "Island City," a portion of the town is situated on what was an actual island, which is accessible by bridge on Highway 51
U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 51 runs north–south down the central part of the state...
and "the fill" to the north. Much of Minocqua has sandy soil, although areas of the far northwest and the northeast are clay. The majority of the soil is highly acidic and many areas are covered by forests. The marshes between Minocqua and Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Wood County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 18,435 at the 2000 census.According to the 2010 census, the Wisconsin Rapids micropolitan area was home to 54,362 people...
are cultivated for cranberry
Cranberry
Cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines in the subgenus Oxycoccus of the genus Vaccinium. In some methods of classification, Oxycoccus is regarded as a genus in its own right...
production.
The highest point in Minocqua is Squirrel Hill, located near Winter Park (1735 ft per Wisconsin Blue Book). The second highest point on the island is located at Island Golf (1608 ft). The highest structure in Minocqua is the Lakeland Sanitary District water tower, a steel tank on Hwy 51 North put in place in the 1960s during the winter.
The community of Bo-di-Lac is located in the western portion of the town bordered by Squirrel Lake, Diamond Lake, Booth Lake, and the town of Lac Du Flambeau (Bo-di-Lac is short for "Booth-Diamond-Lac du Flambeau).
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 are 4,859 people, 2,189 households, and 1,488 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...
is 32.2 people per square mile (12.4/km²). There are 4,284 housing units at an average density of 28.4 per square mile (11.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.65% White, 0.04% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,189 households out of which 22.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are 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, 5.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% are non-families. 27.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.68.
In the town the population is spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,333, and the median income for a family is $50,466. Males have a median income of $41,272 versus $23,147 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 is $24,461. 6.5% of the population and 4.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.5% of those under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Tourism
TourismTourism
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...
plays a substantial role in the economy of Minocqua. As a forested lake community, there are many outdoor summer activities such as fishing, camping, waterskiing, boating, hiking, bike riding, berry collecting, and swimming. There is also a business strip which runs through downtown Minocqua (A.K.A "The Island") and to the north side of "The Fill" which has several tourist attractions and shopping. Downtown Minocqua is also home to the world's oldest amateur waterski team, the Min-Aqua Bats.
During the fall, rifle and bow hunting draw many hunters, as does the annual downtown merchants' Beef-a-Rama held the last Saturday in September. In winter, available activities include: snowmobile festivals, Nordic (cross country) skiing, ice fishing, downhill skiing in nearby mountains, snow tubing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and dining at area restaurants. Minocqua's nightlife includes bars featuring live music in the summer. During fall, driving through the northwoods admiring the fall colors is a popular activity. The arts play an important role in tourism and include the Northern Lights Playhouse, the Campanile Center for the Arts, and the annual HMMGG Festival
HMMGG Festival
The HMMGG Festival is an annual event held near Minocqua, Wisconsin, featuring visionary visual and performance art. The event has been held in the fall of each year since its founding in 1986 by a group of Beloit College graduates...
of Arts and Culture.
Education
Minocqua has one public elementary school, Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk Elementary SchoolMinocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk Elementary School
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk Elementary School is an elementary school district serving 580 children in grades K-8 living in the towns of Minocqua, Hazelhurst and Lake Tomahawk. The MHLT School District encompasses in Oneida County and is considered part of “The Northwoods” of North...
, and one large high school, Lakeland Union High School
Lakeland Union High School
Lakeland Union High School is the area high school located in Minocqua, Wisconsin. LUHS students come from the following local grade schools :* Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Grade School...
. As well as a satellite campus of the Nicolet Area Technical College
Nicolet Area Technical College
Nicolet Area Technical College is a technical college in Rhinelander Wisconsin area. It is a member of the 16 schools in the Wisconsin Technical College System....
located next to the high school.