| Lodi | |
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| — City — | |
| Nickname(s): Home of Susie the Duck | |
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Lodi
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Columbia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km2) |
| • Land | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 2,882 |
| • Density | 2,017.4/sq mi (778.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | |
| FIPS code | |
| GNIS feature ID | |
| Website | www.ci.lodi.wi.gov |
Lodi (pronounced /ˈloʊdaɪ/ loh-dy) is a city in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the census of 2000, the population was 2,882. The city's estimated 2005 population was 2,929. Lodi is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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Lodi, is located at (43.314296, -89.530994).[1]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²), all land.
Spring Creek, which runs from the Lodi marsh through downtown Lodi and empties into Lake Wisconsin, is a local spring-fed brown trout stream. Portions of the creek do not freeze over the winter and thus serve as host to brown trout and waterfowl, particularly mallards. Lodi has adopted this Spring Creek resident, which the residents have named "Susie the Duck", as a mascot.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,882 people, 1,141 households, and 745 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,008.6 people per square mile (778.1/km²). There were 1,199 housing units at an average density of 835.7 per square mile (323.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.27% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,141 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,357, and the median income for a family was $57,763. Males had a median income of $37,049 versus $27,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,546. About 1.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Isaac Palmer founded the village of Lodi in 1846 in what was then the Pleasant Valley Precinct of the Wisconsin Territory. Palmer chose this glaciated valley as the location for the Village of Lodi because of its water power potential. Spring Creek powered a sawmill that year and a grist mill followed in 1850.[3]
Lodi's nickname is Home of Susie the Duck, and Susie has been the town's official mascot since 1948. Where Spring Creek crosses Main Street (Wis. Hwy 113) in downtown Lodi, there is a small creekside park where visitors can buy dried corn from vending machines to feed the often present wild ducks. In this area is a small stone basket, inscribed with the name of former Lodi resident Engle Knerzer, and every year, invariably, a duck builds a nest there. This duck was nicknamed "Susie" by the granddaughter of a former police chief.
Every year there is a "Susie the Duck Day" celebration, the highlight of which is the rubber duck race. Participants pay $5 for a small rubber duck. The thousands of ducks are then dumped into the creek where they "race" toward a finish line and prizes are awarded based on order of finish. This day is also an important parade day with many activities in Goeres Park, brat stands on Main Street and in Goeres Park, and a beer garden in the park.[4]
Lodi is one of three cities in the state of Wisconsin to have its own fair. This free fair, which has been running for 142 years, begins on the first Thursday of July and runs through Sunday. Exhibits include livestock judging, school artwork, baking contests, and local organization display booths. There are carnival rides and games. Attractions include tractor pulls and the hugely popular demolition derby. There is also a live music beer garden.[5]
A 1,000 mile plus hiking trail, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, follows along the terminal moraine formed in the last ice age, which ended about 10,000 years ago. A portion of this trail runs through Lodi. The trail begins in Potawatomi State Park in Door County. It then winds south through the state to Janesville, then back north through Lodi, ending at the Dalles of the St. Croix River in Polk County. Geologic features along the route include drumlins, kames, lakes, ice-walled lake plains, tunnel channels, outwash plains and eskers.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is administered by the National Park Service, with assistance from non-profit volunteer organizations. Lodi's chapter of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation maintains an office in downtown Lodi, with access to the trail several hundred yards away. The longest section of the trail in the area is about 6.2 miles. It begins at the Robertson Trailhead, south of Lodi on Lodi-Springfield Road off of Hwy. 60 West.
Several other segments of the trail are located in or near Lodi, including a 1.3-mile segment on the corner of Lovering and Highway J and a 21-mile section north of the Colsac III Ferry on Lake Wisconsin.
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