Black Creek, Wisconsin

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Black Creek, Wisconsin
Village
Black Creek Welcome Sign
Nickname(s): "Birthplace of the First Organized National Baseball Team",[1] "Crossroads to the Northwoods"
Location of Black Creek, Wisconsin
Location of Black Creek, Wisconsin in Outagamie County
Coordinates: 44°27′30″N 88°27′21″W / 44.45833°N 88.45583°W / 44.45833; -88.45583Coordinates: 44°27′30″N 88°27′21″W / 44.45833°N 88.45583°W / 44.45833; -88.45583
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Outagamie
Settled 1862
Incorporated 1904
Government
 • Type President – Trustees
 • President Steve Rettler[2]
Area[3]
 • Total 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2)
 • Land 1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation[4] 804 ft (245 m)
Population (2010)[5]
 • Total 1,316
 • Estimate (2012[6]) 1,315
 • Density 1,277.7/sq mi (493.3/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP Codes 54106
Area code(s) (920)
FIPS code 55-07750[7]
GNIS feature ID 1582819[4]
Website www.VillageofBlackCreek.com

Black Creek is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,316 at the 2010 census. The village is located in the Town of Black Creek.

History

The village of Black Creek was settled by Thomas J. Burdick and his son Abraham L. Burdick in 1862. The community had been known as Middleburg until 1872, when its name was changed to reflect the dark-colored creek at the edge of the village. Black Creek was then incorporated as a village in 1904. In 1962 a centennial celebration[8] was held and a sesquicentennial celebration was held on June 2, 2012. The village has also celebrated its 25th, 50th, 75th, and 125th anniversary "milestones" to acknowledge its founding year.

In 1869, the country's first organized baseball team was formed in Black Creek by L.J. Cook. Thus, the village is known as the birthplace of Wisconsin baseball.[1] The team had played at the village's North Park. Black Creek was a part of the Dairyland League along with the communities of Bonduel, Hofa Park, Landstad, Garso, Seymour, Oneida, Shiocton, Kaukauna, Bear Creek, Oconto Falls, Greenville, Ashwaubenon, and Little Chute.[9] Black Creek's major rivalries were with the Navarino Rangers and the Nichols Nitros. However, the Black Creek team disbanded in the mid-1990s. To commemorate the village's baseball history, a "North vs. South Grudge Match" softball game is annually played.[10]

In 1875, Black Creek published its first newspaper, the Black Creek Journal, which was discontinued in 1880. The Black Creek Times Press was first issued in 1904 and discontinued in 1928.

Black Creek established its first dairy factory in 1901 and in 1905 a new bridge had been constructed to replace the original wooden one on the Black Creek.[10]

Also in 1901, was the formation of the village library. The next year, 1902, a large fire destroyed much of Main Street, leading to the organization of the village fire department in 1904. In 1910 telephone service was made available to local residents, with electricity making its debut in 1911.[8]

The village adopted the nickname "Crossroads to the Northwoods" in 2004.[11] In 2008, the former Green Bay & Western Railroad corridor was converted into the Newton Blackmour State Trail.[12]

In the summer of 2010, Black Creek experienced two major floods. The first occurred on the morning of July 19 when 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell[13][14] and the second on the night of August 20 when the community received another 6 inches (150 mm). Other smaller floods in the past flooded only the Canadian National Railway underpass.[15][16]

Geography

Black Creek is located at 44°28′28″N 88°27′0″W / 44.47444°N 88.45000°W / 44.47444; -88.45000 (44.474517, −88.450125).[17]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.04 square miles (2.69 km2), of which, 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2) of it is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[3]

Black Creek is located at the intersection of WIS-47 and WIS-54, about 20 miles (40 km) west of Green Bay and 15 miles (24 km) north of the Fox Cities.

The community is located in Northeast Wisconsin and is considered a part of the Fox Valley.[18] Black Creek is also located in the Central Plains and Eastern Ridges and Lowlands regions of Wisconsin.

There have been five tornadoes in the Black Creek area, ranging in intensity from F0 to F3. An F3 tornado touched down four miles from the WIS 54/WIS 47 intersection on June 26, 1969 and traveled northeast past Seymour, causing one injury. On December 1, 1970 an F3 tornado touched down in Hortonville, traveled northeast and stopped 2.5 miles from the center of Black Creek. On May 30, 1980, a category 1 tornado touched down 1.5 miles from the center of the village and traveled eastward across the village. A category 2 tornado touched down in Stephensville on May 6, 1982, 10 miles from the center of Black Creek, and traveled northeast, stopping just outside the village limits. The most recent tornado, rated F0, touched down briefly just north of Black Creek on June 13, 2005.[19]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1910516
—
19205160.0%
19305261.9%
19405423.0%
195065019.9%
19607078.8%
197092130.3%
19801,09719.1%
19901,1525.0%
20001,1923.5%
20101,31610.4%
[20][21] Village incorporation in 1904.

Demographics

As of 2012, the community of Black Creek is ranked as the 332nd largest municipality out of 592 total cities and villages in Wisconsin[22] and 9,195th largest city within the United States. The village is growing rather quickly if compared to other cities of similar size. Of those similarly sized communities, Black Creek has been growing faster than 73% of other cities since the year 2000.[23]

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $42,946, and the median income for a family was $49,896. Males had a median income of $32,128 versus $25,286 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,226. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 1,316 people, 513 households, and 354 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,277.7 inhabitants per square mile (493.3 /km2). There were 540 housing units at an average density of 524.3 per square mile (202.4 /km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.0% White, 1.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 513 households of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the village was 32.2 years. 29.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

Economy

In the summer of 2011, the "Open for Business" Campaign was begun by the village and area businesses as an effort to attract new businesses. Their goal is to revitalize the community and the downtown area. The campaign is encouraging structural face-lifts and the growth of new specialty shops to help attract tourists traveling through to the Northwoods.[24][25]

Largest employers

As of 2010, the largest private-sector employers in the village were:[26]

# Employer # of Employees
1 Saputo-Alto Black Creek Wisconsin Classic

(formerly Outagamie County Producers Cooperative)

 100-249
2 Ralph's Hardwood Floors Company Incorporated 20-49
3 Sal's Foods 20-49
4 Brick's Club 47 10-19
5 O J Krull/Sons Fur Farm Incorporated 10-19
6 Sam Sommers Concrete 10-19
7 Ron’s Service Incorported 10-19
8 Badgerland Buildings Incorporated 10-19
9 RJM Construction, LLC 10-19
10 Black Creek Convenience Incorporated 10-19

Arts and culture

Major events

  • Annual 5K Fun Run for the Timbers
  • Annual Black Creek Classic Car Show
  • Annual Black Creek Community Christmas Festival (Held at Black Creek Fire & Rescue Department)
  • Annual Black Creek North/South Grudge Match (Held at South Park)
  • Annual Family Daze Parade and Festival - formerly known as "Homecoming" (Festivities held at South Park after parade)[27]
  • Annual Newton Blackmour 5K and 10K
  • Annual Village-Wide Rummage Sale

Points of interest

  • Black Creek Sportsman's Club – (Trap Road)
  • Black Creek Swimming Hole – (Lake Park, East Mary Street)
  • Center Valley Grade School – (Center Valley Road & Hample Road)
  • Black Creek Downtown Shoppes – (North Main Street)
  • The Meadows – (Genske Road)


Citizen of the Year Award has been held by Black Creek Advancement Association since 1990. The award recognizes individuals who are actively involved in the community and are nominated by other residents. Past honorees are Edward 'Bub' Shaw (1990), Harold Abel (1991), Keith Wickesberg (1992), Lowell Blake (1993), Clarence Gregorius (1994), Pat Lindberg (1995), Otto Wagner (1996), Verle 'Red' Sievert (1997), Sheldon Brown (1998), and Mark Offenstein (1999). More recipients include Norbert & Ruth Theobald (2000), Vernon 'Tiny' Kitzinger (2001), Tom Brauer (2002), Ray Theobald (2003), Diane Wendt (2004), Christine Kettner (2005), Larry & Peggy Drephal (2006), Sylvester & Rita Theobald (2008), Lowell James (2009), Carol Theobald (2010), Merlin 'Tobe' & Doris Kettner (2011), Betty Shroeder (2012), and most recently Dan & Sherri Rettler (2013).[28][29]

Recreation

The village of Black Creek has four parks and one trail. There are also two environmental nature preserves in the vicinity. Parks are officially open from April 1 thru October 15 (weather permitting).

  • Fallen Timbers Environmental Center is a 456 acre (1,845,366 m²) environmental nature lab with woodlands, meadows, ponds, and prairies. There is also 8.2 miles (13.197 km) of hiking and cross country skiing trails
  • Lake Park is 11 acres (40,468 m²) and includes a swimming hole, playground, pavilions, restrooms, Frisbee golf, and a horseshoe toss.
  • Legion Memorial Park is half an acre (2,023.43 m²) adjacent to the Newton Blackmour State Trail and features a founder's dedication stone.
  • Mack State Wildlife Area is a 1,350 acre (5,463,256.17 m²) wildlife preserve with woodlands, marsh, meadows, and swampland.
  • Newton Blackmour State Trail is 23 miles (37 km) long and is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders during summer months; snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing during winter months. It is part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.[12]
  • North Park is 6 acres (20,234 m²) and includes a baseball diamond, a batting cage, and restrooms.
  • South Park is 9 acres (28,327 m²) and includes a baseball diamond, batting cage, playground, pavilion, restrooms, basketball courts, firefighter's water fight barrel, volleyball pit, and (during winter) an ice skating rink.

Black Creek Youth Sports Organization (BCYS) is the area's only sports league. The organization plays tee ball (ages 5–6); machine pitch (ages 7–8); Little League (ages 9–12); and softball (ages 9–12). Teams are sponsored by local businesses. Softball and Little League teams play against other area communities, while tee ball and machine pitch teams play against other Black Creek teams. Each year Black Creek Youth Sports has three tournaments, either tee ball or machine pitch tournaments, and also sponsors the annual North/South Grudge Match softball tournament.[30]

Snowmobiling is a major winter activity in the Black Creek area and the village has several snowmobile trails.[31]

Government

Black Creek is located within the Wisconsin State Senate District 2 (Robert Cowles - R) and Wisconsin State Assembly District 5 (Jim Steineke - R). Wisconsin US Congressional District 8 (Reid Ribble - R) also includes the village.[32]

The Village of Black Creek has a president and a board of trustees. The village board includes a treasurer/clerk, deputy clerk, librarian, police chief, fire chief, custodian, WWTP operator, building inspector, municipal justice, assessor, and an attorney.[2]

Committees consist of Finance, Courts & Public Safety, Buildings & Grounds, Insurance & Personnel, Planning Commission, Board of Review, Street, Utility, Ordinance, Board of Health, and a Zoning Board of Appeals Committee.[33]

Law enforcement is provided by the village of Black Creek Police Department. The police force consists of six part-time police officers and one full-time police chief.[34] The Black Creek Joint Municipal Court has jurisdiction over the villages of Black Creek, Bear Creek, and Nichols.[35]

Fire protection and rescue is provided by volunteers of the Black Creek Fire & Rescue Department, which has 46 firefighters, 9 EMTs, and 10 first responders.[36]

Education

Black Creek Elementary / Middle School

The village has one public school, Black Creek Elementary & Middle School, which serves grades 4K through 8th. Part of the Seymour Community School District, the school was built in 1954 and has undergone four major expansions: 1957, 1969, 1987, and 2008. The school mascot is the Black Creek Bobcats.

The Black Creek Village Public Library is a member of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS).

Black Creek's first school was built in 1874 and condemned in 1900. A two-story school built in 1900 was used from 1900 to 1937. Because of lack of space, the school rented the village hall from 1937 to 1954. Black Creek's present school was constructed in 1954. In 1958 the one-room schoolhouses in the surrounding vicinity closed and their students transferred to the village school, doubling the enrollment. Kindergarten, art, music, and physical education were also added that year. The village school became part of the Seymour Community School District in 1963.[8]

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran's Grow With Us Child Center, is a Christian childcare that serves infants through four year olds and offers before- and after-school care for youth over four years old. The childcare is part of Immanuel's newly built addition.[37]

Media

The primary newspapers that serve Black Creek are the Advertiser Community News~Times Press, based in Seymour, and The Post~Crescent, based in Appleton. Other newspapers that serve the community are the Green Bay Press Gazette and The Green Bay Chronicle, both based in Green Bay.

Transportation

Highways

Black Creek has an average of 10,100 cars passing through daily, and 3.7 million cars per year. Approximately 8,200 cars pass through Black Creek's downtown area on average, and about 6,100 cars drive through the WIS-47 / WIS-54 intersection in a day. Burdick Street has about 100 cars traveling on it daily.[38]

CN Railway Overpass on WIS 54.
 WIS 47, also marked as Main Street, northbound, routes to Shawano. Southbound, WIS 47 routes to Appleton.
 WIS 54, also marked State Street, Westward routes to Shiocton and New London. Eastward WIS 54 routes to Seymour and Green Bay.
 Highway B's Western terminus is WIS 47 and its eastern terminus is Highway PP.
The Canadian National, going northbound routes to Shawano. Going southbound it routes to Appleton.

Airports near Black Creek

Major airports near Black Creek include Austin Straubel International Airport (public) in the village of Ashwaubenon and Outagamie County Regional Airport (public), in the town of Greenville.

Private airports nearby are the Shiocton Airport in Shiocton; Wolf River Landing Strip in Maine; Five Corners Airways in Five Corners; Black Dog Farm Airport, Curn's Airport, Mark's Park & Airfield Ultralight, Mcfaul Airport, and Wolfgram Airport in New London.

Health care

ThedaCare Physicians serves Black Creek as the local clinic. Other health resources in the village include Black Creek Chiropractic, Black Creek Dental, and Community Eyecare Incorporated. Nearby hospitals are Appleton Medical Center, part of the ThedaCare System; St. Elizabeth Hospital, part of the Affinity Medical Group, located 17 miles (27 km) away; and New London Family Medical Center, located 17 miles (27 km) away.

Notable residents and natives

National Register of Historic Places

George Peters residence

The George Peters House, located at 305 North Maple Street in Black Creek, 44°28′37″N 88°26′59″W / 44.47694°N 88.44972°W / 44.47694; -88.44972 (Peters, George, House), is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. It is in an area of Black Creek where buildings range from 100 to 180 years old. Historic Hotel Arlington is located just down the street from this residence, located across the street is the Black Creek Founders Memorial next to the Newton Blackmour State Trail. Also located in this area is the historic Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (named Evangelische Lutheran Immanuel's Kirche) and the downtown business district.

Religion

The village of Black Creek currently supports five active churches including Community Bible Church (1999), a member of Baylakes Baptist Association and Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Conference[39]; Crossover Ministries United Interdenominational Church (2012); Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (1901), a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod[40]; Saint John's United Church of Christ (1877); and Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church (1873). Black Creek United Methodist Church (1878) and Mountain Valley Christian Fellowship Church (2012), a member of Full Gospel Churches International were former houses of worship in the community.

Images

  • Looking south at the intersection of WIS 47 and WIS 54 in Black Creek

  • Black Creek Fire & Rescue Dept

  • Looking north at downtown Black Creek

  • Black Creek Public Library & Community Center

  • United States Post Office

  • Looking north at WIS DOT sign on WIS 47

  • Newton Blackmour State Trail Head

  • Village Hall / Police Dept

  • The Black Creek

Further reading

  • Burdick, A. E. Black Creek: History From the Early Days. 19--.
  • Omni Associates. Black Creek 2025 : a multi-jurisdictional smart growth comprehensive plan for the town and village of Black Creek, Outagamie County, WI. 2005.
  • Zuleger, Mabel. Life in rural Black Creek through the eyes of Mabel (Kluge) Zuleger : thoughts and pictures. 2007.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Muench, David (December 1993). "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts". University of Wisconsin Extension. Retrieved April 27, 2013. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Village of Black Creek, "Village Board"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  6. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-24. 
  7. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Veryle Sievert, Probably More Than you Wanted to Know About the History of Black Creek.
  9. ↑ Dairyland Baseball, History, retrieved April 30, 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 A. E. Burdick, Black Creek: History From the Early Days.
  11. ↑ Lynn E. Koenigs, My Corner of the County
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Outagamie County Parks, "The Newton Blackmour State Trail".
  13. ↑ Advertiser Community News, "Flooding Hits Black Creek", 26 July 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  14. ↑ Fox11 WLUK, Black Creek Flooding has Residents Cleaning Up, retrieved February 17, 2013.
  15. ↑ Advertiser Community News, "Another Storm Another Flood", 30 August 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  16. ↑ American Red Cross, Flooding in Black Creek Closes Highway 54, retrieved February 17, 2013.
  17. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  18. ↑ Wisconsin's WORKnet, Workforce Development Area Brief retrieved Sept 9, 2013
  19. ↑ GeoTech Map, "Wisconsin Tornado Layers Google Earth", Download Tornado Layers KMZ for Google Earth.
  20. ↑ United States Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing, retrieved December 27, 2013
  21. ↑ Village of Black Creek, Economic Profile, retrieved December 27, 2013
  22. ↑ Wisconsin-Demographics, Black Creek Demographics retrieved October 25, 2013
  23. ↑ Biggest US Cities, Black Creek, Wisconsin retrieved October 25, 2013
  24. ↑ Advertiser Community News, Black Creek is Open for Business. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  25. ↑ Village of Black Creek, Black Creek Business Association. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "Economic Profile Village of Black Creek Wisconsin" (PDF). 
  27. ↑ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek holds Fun DAZE", 7 June 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  28. ↑ Facebook - Black Creek Advancement Association, Black Creek Citizen of the Year Past Honorees retrieved December 30, 2013
  29. ↑ Advertiser Community News, News from Black Creek and Nichols in 2013 retrieved December 30, 2013
  30. ↑ Black Creek Youth Sports, Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  31. ↑ Outagamie County Snowmobile Trails. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  32. ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "District Maps", retrieved Sept 9, 2013
  33. ↑ Village of Black Creek, "Committees"
  34. ↑ Village of Black Creek, Police
  35. ↑ Village of Black Creek, Municipal Court
  36. ↑ GOCEDC, "Village of Black Creek, Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  37. ↑ Imannuel Ev. Lutheran Church, "Grow With Us Child Center", Retrieved June 27, 2012
  38. ↑ Wisconsin D.O.T., "Outagamie County Insets (Black Creek, Hortonville, Seymour, and Shiocton)", Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  39. ↑ Community Bible Church of Black Creek, About Us retrieved October 27, 2013
  40. ↑ Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church retrieved October 27, 2013

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