Union Grove, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Union Grove is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 4,322 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 4,322 people, 1,631 households, and 1,143 families residing in the village. The population density
was 2,525.0 people per square mile (975.9/km²). There were 1,677 housing units at an average density of 979.7 per square mile (378.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.20% White, 0.28% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.42% from other races
, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.
There were 1,631 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $50,636, and the median income for a family was $57,453. Males had a median income of $38,239 versus $25,263 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $20,445. About 4.6% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Union Grove Union High School is a small school of about 880 students and a small faculty of about 65. Union Grove is part of the Southern Lakes conference, division 2, as of the 2010 school year.
Shepherds College is a post-secondary school for students with intellectual disabilities founded in 2008.
In 1838, John E. Dunham came from the east in search of a new home and settled in southeast Wisconsin. He purchased 80 acres and built the first house and barn. It was located where the Chartier Hotel now stands.
First School
In 1846, the first school house was built called Union School because it brought together several outlying school districts.
How The Village Got Its Name
The village got its name from Governor Dodge who combined the school’s name with grove for the beautiful grove of burr oak trees on the west side of Highway 45.
1844: the first church of Union Grove was organized six years after the Sunday school started. On June 1, 1893, Rev. Frank Dexter and his wife, Rev. Mabel Dexter served the Union Grove Congregational Church.
1882: The first brick school was constructed with the west wing added in the 1890′s. In the 1920′s the building became Union Grove’s Masonic Temple.
1900: Four Year high school had 13 graduates with a faculty of 3.
1902: On July 14, Old Settlers Society incorporated and purchased a 12-acre park.
1903: State Bank of Union Grove incorporated and erected a building on the east side of Main Street.
1904: On June 24, Fire destroyed Commercial Hotel, Myers Opera House and Weiler’s Saloon.
1905: Box stoves were discarded from the elementary school and pot-bellied upright, coal burning stoves were installed.
1906: The Union Grove Telephone Company contracted with the Wisconsin Telephone Company for long distance service to each patron.
1907: On August 27, Alby Blacksmith Shop was established.
1908: September 1, National Mutual Benefit Colony was chartered.
1910: Meeter’s Kraut Factory was built in Union Grove. G.R. “Bob” Cornell was plant manager. In addition to sauerkraut, pickles and tomatoes were processed at various times at the factory.
1914: The Union Grove Lumber and Coal Co., with Merritt Anderson as manager and John Huck, secretary, served the Union Grove area with quality coal and building materials of all kinds from lumber to fencing, beginning this year.
1915: On January 7, Union Grove Lumber & Coal Co. was incorporated.
1916: During the early morning hours of Friday, March 24, a disastrous fire broke out. The fire engulfed eleven of the most important and centrally located business institutions on the west side of Main Street. This was one of the largest, most disastrous fires that Union Grove has ever witnessed.
1917: Racine-Kenosha Joint County Training School for Teachers was established in Union Grove. Arthur J. Smith was principal and Blanche E. Roberts was the supervising teacher. The school building was completed.
1918: Menzo J. Bixby – first Union Grove boy to die in WWI.
1919: Southern Wisconsin Home for the Feeble-Minded opened. It became an expansive community with buildings later placed on State & National Register of Historic Buildings.1919: On December 31, Post 171, American Legion was chartered.
1920: Enrollment in teacher training was 34.
1922: Teachers’ Training School burned.
1923: Union Grove library moved to a small office building formerly occupied by the Dardis Lumber Co. located at the corner of 10th and Main.
1925: The Union Grove Methodist Church was originally located in Church Street north of the railroad tracks. The building was moved to its present location at the corner of State Street and 12th Avenue.1925: The Union Grove Graded School, on 14th Avenue was erected. Roy Lehman was the principal and upper grades instructor.
1926: Roberts & Jensen Ford Garage, erected in 1926, was located on Mill Avenue, just east of the Hotel Shepherd.
1927: Floyd Coling built a big hall.
1928: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hackett came to Union Grove and began publication of the U.G. Sun.
1930: Martin’s Garage was established.
1931: Book rental fees for the Racine Public Library rose to $1,500 for the year.
1932: Dr. John W. Owen came to Union Grove in 1932 to practice dentistry. His first office was on the second floor of Hauper’s Drug Store on the west side of Main Street.1932: Permanent village library opened in the Parkway Hall on November 3.
1933: The first library board was organized on July 8, with John Bowers as president; Wesley Shepard, Secretary-treasurer; William Roberts and Edward H. Swantz, directors.
1934: Attorney H.H. Brown came to Union Grove in August. He purchased the law practice and home of Attorney O.R. Moyle. The Office was located in the second story of the “Kemp” building at 1114 Main Street.
1936: Ernie Swantz purchased the hardware store in the 1100 block of Main Street. The store had been formerly operated by Peter Dunkirk. Swantz handled wood heating stoves, kerosene and a complete line of hardware. Drought reduced crop yields and farm income that year.
1937: Dr. and Mrs. Owen Purchased the Callender residence at 1201 Main Street and moved his office and their home to that site for their dentist office.
1938: The elementary grade school didn’t have any clerical help in the office and there was only one custodian.
1941: When war was declared on December 8, Union Grove began to settle down to the business of fighting the war. The village was organized for civilian defense and any emergency.
1942: On July 8, a group of women were appointed to distribute ration books. At headquarters the books were explained as to the number of “points” allowed for each person in sugar, meat, fat, oils; four pounds per person was allowed for well fed Americans.1942: The Rescue Squad was formed with Dr. T.H. Wooley serving as the first captain.1943: Sgt. Elmer Hansen was killed in action in WWII.
1943: In September, the purchase of a Rescue Squad truck was made possible by donations from interested parties, the American Legion and the Village Fire Department.
1945: The Red Cross begins asking for supplies. The Red Cross says “There are over ten thousand men and women from Racine County serving in the war and Union Grove must not fail the Red Cross.”
1946: This year brought a drive for used clothing for European war refugees. C.W. Price resigns from the mail route after forty-one years. Sugar rationing is still on.
1948: The showroom of Martin’s Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge was enlarged to accommodate the post World War II new car sales.
1949: Union Grove Lions Club chartered.
1949: Willie Markisen became captain of the Rescue Squad.1949: Addition to High School added in the fall.
1950: Since the 1924 School District built a school at the 14th Avenue location there were three classrooms and a multi-purpose room added.
1952: Two full time music instructors were engaged, one for instrumental and one for vocal study.
1954: Union Grove was hit by a tornado.
1955: Fourteenth Avenue school adds four classrooms along State Street. Elementary grade school enrollment was up to 335.
1956: Result of higher enrollment in 1955 was the addition of four classrooms and a rest room at a cost of $60,355.
1957: Fourteenth Avenue school adds two classrooms and a supply room.
1958: Fourteenth Avenue school adds two classrooms and an office.
1958: Dial telephone service starts in Union Grove.
1958: Groundbreaking for Graham Public Library.
1959: Graham Public Library was dedicated on October 25.
1964: On November 1, Rev. Keith Moore officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new location of the Union Grove Baptist Church on Highway 11, west of the Village of Union Grove. It cost between $90,000 and $100,000.
1964: Shepherd’s Inc. opened in Union Grove to provide compassionate Christian care to adults with mental disabilities.
1966: An addition doubling the size of the high school consisted of a new gym, library, classroom and business education areas.
1967: The new education wing was completed on the Union Grove United Methodist Church. It was put into use later that year for Bible School and Sunday School.
1968: On May 13, St. Robert’s Catholic Church was dedicated.
1968: Union Grove Kiwanis Club was chartered.
1972: The Dover Branch of the State Bank of Union Grove was opened on Highway 11.
1973: American Roller construction began on a new facility in Union Grove. It now houses the Research and Development Laboratory, which services all American Roller facilities, and the Arcon Division, which manufactures small rollers in quantity, mostly for original equipment manufacturers.
1974: August 25, The Fire Station was dedicated.
1974: Marquette Savings & Loan opened a Union Grove office.
1976: July 20, the Overson Subdivision of the Village of Union Grove was recorded.
1977: Union Grove High School had enrollment of 1,042.
1986: Union Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded to include Greater Union Grove Area; opened first office in Police and Fire Department at 700 Main Street; hired first employee.
1988: September 17 : Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary Pageant was held. September 18: Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary Parade (videos of both of these events are available at the Graham Public Library).
http://www.uniongrovechamber.org/
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 4,322 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Union Grove is located at 42°41′7"N 88°2′58"W (42.685287, -88.049390).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 village has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
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 4,322 people, 1,631 households, and 1,143 families residing in the village. 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 2,525.0 people per square mile (975.9/km²). There were 1,677 housing units at an average density of 979.7 per square mile (378.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.20% White, 0.28% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.42% 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 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.
There were 1,631 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% 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, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $50,636, and the median income for a family was $57,453. Males had a median income of $38,239 versus $25,263 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 village was $20,445. About 4.6% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Union Grove Elementary School is located on Milldrum Ave in Union Grove, WI. The superintendent is Mrs. Brenda Stevenson, principle is Mr. Thomas Johnson, and assistant principle is Mr. Sloan Allen. This school teaches grades K through 8th. They offer many extracurricular programs such as athletics, JASON project, band, choir, forensics, Battle of the Books, and Activity Nights. http://uges.k12.wi.usUnion Grove Union High School is a small school of about 880 students and a small faculty of about 65. Union Grove is part of the Southern Lakes conference, division 2, as of the 2010 school year.
Shepherds College is a post-secondary school for students with intellectual disabilities founded in 2008.
History
First HomeIn 1838, John E. Dunham came from the east in search of a new home and settled in southeast Wisconsin. He purchased 80 acres and built the first house and barn. It was located where the Chartier Hotel now stands.
First School
In 1846, the first school house was built called Union School because it brought together several outlying school districts.
How The Village Got Its Name
The village got its name from Governor Dodge who combined the school’s name with grove for the beautiful grove of burr oak trees on the west side of Highway 45.
1844: the first church of Union Grove was organized six years after the Sunday school started. On June 1, 1893, Rev. Frank Dexter and his wife, Rev. Mabel Dexter served the Union Grove Congregational Church.
1882: The first brick school was constructed with the west wing added in the 1890′s. In the 1920′s the building became Union Grove’s Masonic Temple.
1900: Four Year high school had 13 graduates with a faculty of 3.
1902: On July 14, Old Settlers Society incorporated and purchased a 12-acre park.
1903: State Bank of Union Grove incorporated and erected a building on the east side of Main Street.
1904: On June 24, Fire destroyed Commercial Hotel, Myers Opera House and Weiler’s Saloon.
1905: Box stoves were discarded from the elementary school and pot-bellied upright, coal burning stoves were installed.
1906: The Union Grove Telephone Company contracted with the Wisconsin Telephone Company for long distance service to each patron.
1907: On August 27, Alby Blacksmith Shop was established.
1908: September 1, National Mutual Benefit Colony was chartered.
1910: Meeter’s Kraut Factory was built in Union Grove. G.R. “Bob” Cornell was plant manager. In addition to sauerkraut, pickles and tomatoes were processed at various times at the factory.
1914: The Union Grove Lumber and Coal Co., with Merritt Anderson as manager and John Huck, secretary, served the Union Grove area with quality coal and building materials of all kinds from lumber to fencing, beginning this year.
1915: On January 7, Union Grove Lumber & Coal Co. was incorporated.
1916: During the early morning hours of Friday, March 24, a disastrous fire broke out. The fire engulfed eleven of the most important and centrally located business institutions on the west side of Main Street. This was one of the largest, most disastrous fires that Union Grove has ever witnessed.
1917: Racine-Kenosha Joint County Training School for Teachers was established in Union Grove. Arthur J. Smith was principal and Blanche E. Roberts was the supervising teacher. The school building was completed.
1918: Menzo J. Bixby – first Union Grove boy to die in WWI.
1919: Southern Wisconsin Home for the Feeble-Minded opened. It became an expansive community with buildings later placed on State & National Register of Historic Buildings.1919: On December 31, Post 171, American Legion was chartered.
1920: Enrollment in teacher training was 34.
1922: Teachers’ Training School burned.
1923: Union Grove library moved to a small office building formerly occupied by the Dardis Lumber Co. located at the corner of 10th and Main.
1925: The Union Grove Methodist Church was originally located in Church Street north of the railroad tracks. The building was moved to its present location at the corner of State Street and 12th Avenue.1925: The Union Grove Graded School, on 14th Avenue was erected. Roy Lehman was the principal and upper grades instructor.
1926: Roberts & Jensen Ford Garage, erected in 1926, was located on Mill Avenue, just east of the Hotel Shepherd.
1927: Floyd Coling built a big hall.
1928: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hackett came to Union Grove and began publication of the U.G. Sun.
1930: Martin’s Garage was established.
1931: Book rental fees for the Racine Public Library rose to $1,500 for the year.
1932: Dr. John W. Owen came to Union Grove in 1932 to practice dentistry. His first office was on the second floor of Hauper’s Drug Store on the west side of Main Street.1932: Permanent village library opened in the Parkway Hall on November 3.
1933: The first library board was organized on July 8, with John Bowers as president; Wesley Shepard, Secretary-treasurer; William Roberts and Edward H. Swantz, directors.
1934: Attorney H.H. Brown came to Union Grove in August. He purchased the law practice and home of Attorney O.R. Moyle. The Office was located in the second story of the “Kemp” building at 1114 Main Street.
1936: Ernie Swantz purchased the hardware store in the 1100 block of Main Street. The store had been formerly operated by Peter Dunkirk. Swantz handled wood heating stoves, kerosene and a complete line of hardware. Drought reduced crop yields and farm income that year.
1937: Dr. and Mrs. Owen Purchased the Callender residence at 1201 Main Street and moved his office and their home to that site for their dentist office.
1938: The elementary grade school didn’t have any clerical help in the office and there was only one custodian.
1941: When war was declared on December 8, Union Grove began to settle down to the business of fighting the war. The village was organized for civilian defense and any emergency.
1942: On July 8, a group of women were appointed to distribute ration books. At headquarters the books were explained as to the number of “points” allowed for each person in sugar, meat, fat, oils; four pounds per person was allowed for well fed Americans.1942: The Rescue Squad was formed with Dr. T.H. Wooley serving as the first captain.1943: Sgt. Elmer Hansen was killed in action in WWII.
1943: In September, the purchase of a Rescue Squad truck was made possible by donations from interested parties, the American Legion and the Village Fire Department.
1945: The Red Cross begins asking for supplies. The Red Cross says “There are over ten thousand men and women from Racine County serving in the war and Union Grove must not fail the Red Cross.”
1946: This year brought a drive for used clothing for European war refugees. C.W. Price resigns from the mail route after forty-one years. Sugar rationing is still on.
1948: The showroom of Martin’s Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge was enlarged to accommodate the post World War II new car sales.
1949: Union Grove Lions Club chartered.
1949: Willie Markisen became captain of the Rescue Squad.1949: Addition to High School added in the fall.
1950: Since the 1924 School District built a school at the 14th Avenue location there were three classrooms and a multi-purpose room added.
1952: Two full time music instructors were engaged, one for instrumental and one for vocal study.
1954: Union Grove was hit by a tornado.
1955: Fourteenth Avenue school adds four classrooms along State Street. Elementary grade school enrollment was up to 335.
1956: Result of higher enrollment in 1955 was the addition of four classrooms and a rest room at a cost of $60,355.
1957: Fourteenth Avenue school adds two classrooms and a supply room.
1958: Fourteenth Avenue school adds two classrooms and an office.
1958: Dial telephone service starts in Union Grove.
1958: Groundbreaking for Graham Public Library.
1959: Graham Public Library was dedicated on October 25.
1964: On November 1, Rev. Keith Moore officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new location of the Union Grove Baptist Church on Highway 11, west of the Village of Union Grove. It cost between $90,000 and $100,000.
1964: Shepherd’s Inc. opened in Union Grove to provide compassionate Christian care to adults with mental disabilities.
1966: An addition doubling the size of the high school consisted of a new gym, library, classroom and business education areas.
1967: The new education wing was completed on the Union Grove United Methodist Church. It was put into use later that year for Bible School and Sunday School.
1968: On May 13, St. Robert’s Catholic Church was dedicated.
1968: Union Grove Kiwanis Club was chartered.
1972: The Dover Branch of the State Bank of Union Grove was opened on Highway 11.
1973: American Roller construction began on a new facility in Union Grove. It now houses the Research and Development Laboratory, which services all American Roller facilities, and the Arcon Division, which manufactures small rollers in quantity, mostly for original equipment manufacturers.
1974: August 25, The Fire Station was dedicated.
1974: Marquette Savings & Loan opened a Union Grove office.
1976: July 20, the Overson Subdivision of the Village of Union Grove was recorded.
1977: Union Grove High School had enrollment of 1,042.
1986: Union Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded to include Greater Union Grove Area; opened first office in Police and Fire Department at 700 Main Street; hired first employee.
1988: September 17 : Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary Pageant was held. September 18: Sesquicentennial 150th Anniversary Parade (videos of both of these events are available at the Graham Public Library).
http://www.uniongrovechamber.org/