Potosi, Wisconsin

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The Potosi Brewery, a landmark at the west end of the village, operated continuously from 1852 to 1972.

Potosi is a village in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Potosi.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Origin of name
4 Demographics
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Potosi is located at 42°40′53″N, 90°43′12″W (42.68154, -90.720247)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.3 km² (1.6 mi²). 4.3 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.61% is water.

[edit] History

In 1839, the leaders of three settlements (Snake Hollow, sometimes called Head of the Hollow, Van Buren, and La Fayette) decided to combine the villages. The new, larger town was named Potosi, probably by miners from Potosi, Missouri. During the 1830s, many Missouri and Southern Illinois miners moved into Wisconsin's lead region.

Potosi was the home of the Potosi Brewing Company, makers of "Good Old Potosi Beer," from 1852 to 1972. A brewery restoration project has begun to preserve the history and tradition of the company. ("Potosi Brewing Co. — Preserving the History and Tradition," American Breweriana, No. 132, November-December 2004, pp. 17-32.)

The post office (1837 to present) was originally located between Van Buren and the Head of the Hollow, then at Van Buren, then at La Fayette, then at Potosi.

[edit] Origin of name

Potosi, Wisconsin, was named for Potosi, Missouri.

However, the name itself, Potosi, originated in Potosí, Bolivia (which see), and came to Wisconsin by way of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and Potosi, Missouri. There are a great number of populated places named either Potosí or Potosi in the Americas.

In Wisconsin, there are many erroneous origin stories; such stories are known as folk etymology. In one, potosi is said to be the Spanish word for "lead," which is not true.

In another, apparently created by William Wolfe, Potosi is said to be a United Pueblo Indian term meaning "mineral wealth." In Wisconsin, according to Wolfe, the name was given to the daughter (reportedly "Potosa") of an Indian chief, Peosta, and matrimonially linked to a regional French fur trader, Julien Dubuque. ("Potosi," Grant County Sesquicentennial Edition, 1836-1986 [newspaper], pp. 9-10.) However, there is no evidence of any connection between the name Potosi and Peosta, and the true name of Peosta's daughter is not known.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 711 people, 302 households, and 199 families residing in the village. The population density was 166.4/km² (432.1/mi²). There were 320 housing units at an average density of 74.9/km² (194.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.02% White, and 0.98% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 302 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the village the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $35,294, and the median income for a family was $47,955. Males had a median income of $28,478 versus $25,982 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,189. About 4.9% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.