Tomahawk, Wisconsin

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For the town in Oneida County, Wisconsin, see Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
Tomahawk
City
Looking east in downtown Tomahawk
Tomahawk
Location within the state of Wisconsin
Coordinates: 45°28′28″N 89°43′53″W / 45.47444°N 89.73139°W / 45.47444; -89.73139Coordinates: 45°28′28″N 89°43′53″W / 45.47444°N 89.73139°W / 45.47444; -89.73139
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Lincoln
Area[1]
 • Total 9.34 sq mi (24.19 km2)
 • Land 7.76 sq mi (20.10 km2)
 • Water 1.58 sq mi (4.09 km2)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 3,397
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 3,339
 • Density 437.8/sq mi (169.0/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 54487
Area code(s) 715 & 534

Tomahawk is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,346 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the northeast of the Town of Tomahawk and is not contiguous with it.

History

Before 1837, the land where Tomahawk is now situated belonged to the Ojibwe, who traded actively with fur traders such as the American Fur Company and the Northwest Company. After the 1837 cession, the practical situation changed only slightly: the federal survey teams had not arrived yet, logging activity was still light, and Ojibwe continued to actively occupy the general area. There was a village just north of the modern Tomahawk, in the vicinity of modern Bradley, and a village on Skanawan Creek.[4][5] The 1854 Treaty of La Pointe created the reservations at Lac du Flambeau, Lac Courte Oreilles and Bad River.[6] Yet even after this treaty, access to the general area remained unrestricted, being not yet sold to private entities by the federal government, and since some Ojibwe received their annuity payments in Wausau they continued to occupy these local villages to some extent until the annuities ran out in 1874.[7] By that time most Ojibwe became permanently established on the reservations.

Logging activity from the Tomahawk River upstream began about 1860 and surged after the Civil War. By 1880 several families were living close to Tomahawk-Wisconsin river confluence, including owning property within the present city limits of Tomahawk.[8] The location was variously known as Bouchard's Station[9] or The Forks,[10] short for Forks of the Wisconsin.[11]

Tomahawk traditionally traces its founding to the establishment of the construction camps for a dam and the railroad in 1886. The company leading the effort was the Tomahawk Land and Boom Company, headed by William H. Bradley, who is thus considered to be the principal founder of Tomahawk. The town site was platted in 1887, with lots sold in Milwaukee that summer. The city was incorporated in 1891. In the 10 years after the first construction camps were built, Tomahawk grew rapidly, boasting many stores, a three-story hotel, many saw mills, a paper mill, and service via three railroads.[12]

Among the events highlighting Tomahawk's history since that time are:

  • 1897: The first high school class graduates. Among the graduates is Margaret McBride, who achieves prominence as a vocalist in New York City.[13]
  • 1906: William T. Bradley, future mayor and adopted son of the city's founder, brings the first automobile to the town.[14]
  • 1914: The first airplane lands on north Tomahawk Avenue, there being no other runway yet.[citation needed]
  • 1917: Tomahawk men enlist and form Company A, 119th Machine Gun Battalion, which is deployed to Europe via Waco, Texas.[15]
  • 1929: The iconic Mitchell Hotel burns down, nearly taking the entire downtown with it. A new pump brought in from the Phillips fire department is the only thing that saves the day.[16]
  • 1936: Tomahawk celebrates its 50th anniversary. The activities include a visit by Governor Philip La Follette.[17]
  • 1941: The United States declares war on Japan, and many Tomahawk young men and women enlist in military and other service.
  • 1951: Einar Ingman is awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in Korea.
  • 1976: Governor Patrick Lucey visits to simultaneously dedicate a large new paper machine at the kraft mill (then owned by Owens-Illinois) as well as Highway 86 bridge.[18]
  • 1986: Tomahawk celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Geography

Tomahawk is located at 45°28′28″N 89°43′53″W / 45.47444°N 89.73139°W / 45.47444; -89.73139 (45.474463, -89.731454).[19]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.34 square miles (24.19 km2), of which, 7.76 square miles (20.10 km2) is land and 1.58 square miles (4.09 km2) is water.[1]

Tomahawk lies at an elbow shaped bend in the Wisconsin River. There the water is dammed, forming Lake Mohawksin. Mohawksin is a concatenation of the last syllable of the three rivers that flow into it – the Somo, the Tomahawk and the Wisconsin.

Climate

The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).[20]

Activities

Tomahawk hosts many activities and events, especially in the summer. Among the events are:

Tomahawk is home to the Kwahamot Water Ski Club, who perform regularly throughout the summer and periodically host competitive events.[23]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 3,397 people, 1,480 households, and 875 families residing in the city. The population density was 437.8 inhabitants per square mile (169.0 /km2). There were 1,742 housing units at an average density of 224.5 per square mile (86.7 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,480 households of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the city was 44.8 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 3,770 people, 1,527 households, and 957 families residing in the city. The population density was 506.8 people per square mile (195.6/km²). There were 1,696 housing units at an average density of 228.0 per square mile (88.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,527 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,986, and the median income for a family was $42,333. Males had a median income of $36,042 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,277. About 7.1% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Tomahawk is served by the Tomahawk School District and its three public schools:

  • Tomahawk Elementary School
  • Tomahawk Middle School
  • Tomahawk High School

There is also a Catholic school: St. Mary's Catholic School.

Notable people

In popular culture

  • Pickles the Drummer, fictional drummer of the band Dethklok from the animated series, Metalocalypse, is said to be from Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

Images

  • City hall / police station

  • Fire station

  • Tomahawk High School

  • Post office

  • Welcome sign on WIS 86

  • City welcome sign

  • Tomahawk Leader newspaper building

  • Wisconsin River in Tomahawk

  • Veteran's Memorial Bridge over the Wisconsin River

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-24. 
  4. ↑ 45°25′40″N 89°41′34″W / 45.42778°N 89.69278°W / 45.42778; -89.69278
  5. ↑ Jones, George O. et al History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties, Wisconsin (Minneapolis: H.C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1924), p. 9.
  6. ↑ Danziger, Edmund J. "They Would Not Be Moved: The Chippewa Treaty of 1854". Minnesota History, Spring 1973. pp. 173–185. 
  7. ↑ Marchetti, Louis History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and Representative Citizens (Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., 1913), p. 98.
  8. ↑ The 1880 census lists two families named Bouchard, one named King, and one named Faufau, who all pre-empted property inside the present-day city limits. In addition, Gilbert Vallier had a station at Skanawan Creek and owned a 40 acre hay field on the eastern edge of the present city limits.
  9. ↑ Warner, Hans B., Editor The blue book of the state of Wisconsin (1880) The map on the frontispiece shows "Boucharels Station," an obvious misspelling of "Bouchard."
  10. ↑ Jones et al, p. 68.
  11. ↑ Calkins, Hiram "Indian Nomenclature, and the Chippewas," Wisconsin Historical Collections, Volume I (Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1854), p. 120. Many early maps gave the Tomahawk River the name Little Wisconsin River.
  12. ↑ Jones et al, pp. 68-84.
  13. ↑ Jones et al, p. 84.
  14. ↑ Cindy Johnson - American Local History Network - Wisconsin. "Tomahawk, Wisconsin - American Local History Network - Wisconsin". Wlhn.org. Retrieved 2013-09-24. 
  15. ↑ Jones et al, p. 78.
  16. ↑ Brian Morren @ Wilderness Web Studio (1929-03-06). "Tomahawk Fire Department". Tomahawkfd.org. Retrieved 2013-09-24. 
  17. ↑ Tomahawk Leader July 2, 1936
  18. ↑ Tomahawk Leader August 9, 1976
  19. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  20. ↑ "Climate Summary for Tomahawk, Wisconsin". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved 2013-09-24. 
  21. ↑ "Official Web Site of the Annual Tomahawk Fall Ride". Retrieved February 4, 2012. 
  22. ↑ "Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School". Retrieved February 4, 2012. 
  23. ↑ "Kwahamot Water Ski Club". Retrieved February 4, 2012. 
  24. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  25. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0499343/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

External links

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Municipalities and communities of Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States
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Footnotes
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