Viroqua, Wisconsin

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"Viroqua" redirects here. For genus of jumping spider, see Viroqua (genus). For the town, see Viroqua (town), Wisconsin.
Viroqua
City
Viroqua Downtown Historic District
Viroqua
Location within the state of Wisconsin
Coordinates: 43°33′24″N 90°53′16″W / 43.55667°N 90.88778°W / 43.55667; -90.88778Coordinates: 43°33′24″N 90°53′16″W / 43.55667°N 90.88778°W / 43.55667; -90.88778
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Vernon
Area[2]
 • Total 3.80 sq mi (9.84 km2)
 • Land 3.80 sq mi (9.84 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 4,362
 • Estimate (2012[4]) 4,397
 • Density 1,147.9/sq mi (443.2/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 54665
Area code(s) 608
Website Official website

Viroqua is the county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,079 at the 2010 census. The city is located within the Town of Viroqua.

History

The Native American Ho-Chunk inhabited the area now known as Vernon County and the area of Viroqua. The Ho-Chunk, formerly known as the Winnebago, are a Siouan-speaking people and lived in the western Great Lakes region for thousands of years. The Ho-Chunk were removed westward beginning in the 1820s.[5]

There was a sharp rivalry between Viroqua and Springville to be named the county seat of Vernon County. A deed for 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land was promised by pioneer Moses Decker, on condition that Viroqua be chosen as the county seat. The land constituted what became known as the County Addition to the city of Viroqua.[6]

Decker was one of the early settlers in the area. He arrived in 1847 and laid out the village of Viroqua. He died in 1860.[7] Earlier settlers arrived in 1844 and built lumber mills on the Kickapoo River. Farmers began arriving in 1846, some of whom were John Graham, T.J. Defreese and William C. McMichael.[8]

In early 1851, the act authorizing the organization of Bad Axe, now Vernon County, was approved by Governor Nelson Dewey. Viroqua was awarded the county seat, pending a permanent location to be determined by a vote. In May 1852, residents voted in favor of Viroqua.[9]

On June 28, 1865, Viroqua was hit by a deadly tornado that left 22 dead.

Geography

Viroqua is located at 43°33′23″N 90°53′15″W / 43.55639°N 90.88750°W / 43.55639; -90.88750 (43.556534, -90.887663).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.80 square miles (9.84 km2), all of it land.[2] The city is situated in the Driftless Region, near the western end of the Ocooch Mountains.

Northern Wisconsin Co-op Tobacco Pool Warehouse represents the first tobacco-grower co-operative in the nation.[1]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 4,362 people, 2,029 households, and 1,059 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,147.9 inhabitants per square mile (443.2 /km2). There were 2,208 housing units at an average density of 581.1 per square mile (224.4 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 2,029 households of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.8% were non-families. 43.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 23% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 45 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 23.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 4,335 people, 1,990 households, and 1,112 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,327.3 people per square mile (511.9/km²). There were 2,105 housing units at an average density of 644.5 per square mile (248.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.73% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,990 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,804, and the median income for a family was $35,475. Males had a median income of $29,589 versus $20,046 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,172. About 9.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Economy and revitalization

Viroqua was dubbed "The Town That Beat Walmart" by Smithsonian Magazine in 1992 because it fostered businesses that co-exist with the retail giant.[12] The city promoted small business development through several state and federal programs.

Viroqua is a Wisconsin Main Street City and its downtown is listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places.

The Temple Theatre is an example of the town's resurgence. The US$1.6 million restoration of the 1922 classical revival style vaudeville and movie theater was driven by volunteers. The building now serves as an arts and cultural center for the surrounding counties.

Transportation

Viroqua is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin Highway 27, Wisconsin Highway 56, and Wisconsin Highway 82.

Recently, the highways and major streets in Viroqua were redone. Highways 14, 61, and 27 had lanes added to them to become four lanes, except for the four block section of downtown. That was kept two lanes to allow for parallel parking on the side of the road.

Viroqua was on the new airways route between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Rockford, Illinois, when it was established in June 1932. The beacon light had about fifteen large 36-inch (910 mm) revolving beacons of 2,000,000 candle power when it was installed on the Mahlon Lepley farm, four miles (6 km) northeast of Viroqua.

Notable natives and residents

Further reading

  • Habits of the Heartland: Small-Town Life in Modern America by Lyn C. Macgregor (Cornell University Press; 2010); 280 pages; sociological study of how differing notions of community shape social groups in Viroqua.

The Vernon County Broadcaster editorially criticized Macgregor's study, because her analysis of "The Regulars" in Viroqua was done while spending 800 hours as a part-time bartender and her conclusions were analogous to what could be found in any small city where people were drinking alcohol. "Sociologist’s impression of Viroqua an unflattering bar time exposé, May 26, 2011". Vernon County Broadcaster. 

Images

  • School

  • Sign on WIS 56

  • Vernon County fairgrounds

References

  1. ↑ "Bekkedal Tobacco Warehouse". Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2007-08-19. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  4. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-24. 
  5. ↑ Loew, Patty. Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal. Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society press, 2001.
  6. ↑ http://www.viroqua-wisconsin.com/about/history.asp
  7. ↑ History of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Springfield, IL: Union Publishing Company, 1884.
  8. ↑ Bierce, B.C. "Industry of Bad Ax County" in Transactions of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, volume VI. Madison, WI: Smith & Cullaton. 1860.
  9. ↑ http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=35&keyword=bad+axe
  10. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  12. ↑ NPR. "Wal-Mart's Social and Economic Impact". Retrieved 2009-04-06. 
  13. ↑ "Chris Mulkey - Official Website". Retrieved 2009-04-06. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Municipalities and communities of Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States
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Unincorporated
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Footnotes
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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