Lomira, Wisconsin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lomira is a village in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,233 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Lomira at the crossroads of State Highways 49, 67 and 175, and U.S. Highway 41, providing excellent transportation in all directions. Travel north two hours on Highway 41 to Green Bay or travel south one hour to Milwaukee.

Contents

[edit] History

The early history of the Village of Lomira is closely interwoven with the town in which it is located, Town of Lomira. The settlement of Lomira likely began with the migration of Indians. History stories suggest that the son of Chief Blackhawk camped in this vicinity, probably about 1840, while blazing a trail from Milwaukee, 60 miles south, to Green Bay, 120 miles north.

Stories told through the generations report that in the earlier days of Indian settlement, the village was called Springfield. Possibly this name derived from the existence of a natural spring in the midst of lucious farmland.

There first record of a settlement is in 1849 at which time the name of Lomira was adopted. The first Post Office was established on 11 May 1849. Oral stories passed down offer two accounts for selecting the name of Lomira for this settlement. One story suggests that the name originates from the low land area around the village. Combining "Lo" with the mire and mud of the area created the name Lomira. The second story relates that an early family named Schoonover had a daughter named Elmira who was well known in the settlement. The spelling of Elmira's name influenced the settled upon village name of Lomira. Possibly, the name evolved due to aspects of both stories.

A petition for incorporation of the Village of Lomira was made to the circuit court of Dodge County on 24 March 1899. The petition described the designated territory of population "433 residents" as "containing a large number of stores, saloons, residences, elevators, hotels, blacksmith shops, cheese factory, planning mill and other places of business, and that the same is a railroad station." Copies of the petition were posted in the saloon of F. Kauper, the saloon of Peter Greiten, and in the store and office of Peter Wolf, "all of which said places are public places." Petitioners presented the incorporation order at a special term of the circuit court held in the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin on 9 May 1899. Records of the public election on 3 June 1899 show 104 ballots were cast, of which 58 were cast for incorporation and 45 against.

[edit] Air & Rail Transportation

The Wisconsin Central Limited Railroad provides industrials rail service for business and industry. Private air transportation is available in Fond du Lac, 10 miles north of the village. Commercial air transportation is offered in Appleton, 50 miles to the north; Milwaukee, 60 miles to the south; and Oshkosh, 30 miles to the north.

[edit] Education

The School District of Lomira is 65 square miles. The district includes the villages of Brownsville, Lomira, Theresa, and the town of Knowles, and also serves all or portions of these townships: Ashford, Byron, Eden, LeRoy, Lomira, Theresa, Wayne, and possibly Fond du Lac.

Public School: Kindergarten through Grade 12; Lomira School District.

Parochial Schools: Grades 1-8; St. John's Lutheran School; St. Mary's Catholic School.

Higher Education Access:

[edit] Industry

Lomira's history is rich with agriculture. In 1985, printing became a significant presence with QuadGraphics opening a production plant. The Lomira plant of QuadGraphics is the largest single printing facility in the Western Hemisphere.

[edit] Citizens of the Year

The Lomira Chamber of Commerce began the Citizen of the Year contest in 1982. This contest continues today. Recipients of this prestigious award for contribution of service to the Lomira community:

2009 --
 1999 --
 1989 -- Walter Tolzman
2008 --
 1998 -- Kermit Zuehlke
 1988 -- Millard Kemmel
2007 --
 1997 -- Richard Zitlow
 1987 -- Oliver Wolf
2006 --
 1996 -- Gordon A. Klein
 1986 -- James Kuechler
2005 --
 1995 -- Jeff Unferth
 1985 -- Dorothea Luedtke
2004 --
 1994 -- Ray Luedtke
 1984 -- Ozzie Reimer
2003 --
 1993 -- Palmer and Carol Behm
 1983 -- Betty Brinkman
2002 --
 1992 -- August Luedtke
 1982 -- Dennis Stucke
2001 --
 1991 -- Donald Unferth
2000 --
 1990 -- Lester Kietzer

[edit] Religion

Denomination Church Name Street Address Phone E-mail Address Founding Date
Catholic Nativity of St. Mary Parish 699 Milwaukee St 920-269-4429 natheres@charter.net 1870
Lutheran (WELS) St. John's Lutheran Church & School 550 & 558 Water Street 920-269-4650 church;

920-269-4514 school

 stjohns@wels.net 1863
United Methodist Trinity Church
 300 Church Street
 920-269-4411 trinityumc@powerweb.net 1851

The Lomira area has long been a stronghold of the Evangelical Church. While Wisconsin was still a mission of the Illinois Conference, people of the Lomira Circuit expressed a desire for a campmeeting session in their area. A first camp meeting was held 15-21 June 1853. People came on foot from Menomonee Falls, about 45 miles to the south, and by ox team and wagon from Princeton, about 60 miles to the north. There was powerful preaching, ardent praying, and inspiring singing. In 1905 the campmeeting association of the Fond du Lac and Milwaukee Districts were united with this Lomira site designated as the annual summer meeting place. Camping activities continued in Lomira for 104 years until being transferred to Lake Lucerne properties in Waushara County in 1957. The summer camp meeting place became home to the current Trinity United Methodist Church.

[edit] Geography

Lomira is located at 43°35′42″N, 88°26′40″W (43.595089, -88.444602).GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 2,233 people, 846 households, and 583 families residing in the village. The population density was 444.4/km² (1,148.8/mi²). There were 899 housing units at an average density of 178.9/km² (462.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.16% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.76% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. 2.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 846 households out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the village the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,522, and the median income for a family was $52,600. Males had a median income of $36,440 versus $24,286 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,256. About 3.1% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

Lomira - Through the Years ... 1899-1999; Action Publications, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; 1999. This history book, coordinated by long-time resident Jane Kietzer, was prepared for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Village of Lomira.

Lomira - Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 1976. This history booklet, coordinated by long-time resident Virginia Sterr, was prepared for the Lomira celebration honoring our nation's bicentennial.

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