Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Transportation

	Interstate 41 Northbound routes to Appleton and Green Bay. Southbound, I-41 routes to Fond du Lac and Milwaukee. It has 6 exits serving the Oshkosh area at: WIS 26/Hwy N Waupun Rd. (Exit 113), WIS 44/91 South Park Ave./Ripon Rd. (Exit 116), 9th Ave. (Exit 117), WIS 21 Oshkosh Ave./Omro Rd. (Exit 119), US 45 Algoma Blvd. (Exit 120), and WIS 76 Jackson St. (Exit 124).
	U.S. Route 41 US 41 is cosigned with Interstate 41 in the Oshkosh area.
	WIS 21 travels west to Omro, Wautoma and Tomah, Wisconsin. WIS 21 is partly or entirely along Omro Rd., Oshkosh Ave., Congress Ave., and Algoma Blvd.
	WIS 26 Southbound, routes to Rosendale, Waupun, Beaver Dam, Watertown, Ft. Atkinson and Janesville, Wisconsin. This is Waupun Rd.
	WIS 44 travels southwest to Ripon, Wisconsin. WIS 44 is partly or entirely along Ripon Rd., South Park Ave., Ohio St., Wisconsin St., and Irving Ave.
	U.S. Route 45 travels north to New London, Wisconsin and travels south to Fond du Lac along Lake Winnebago. US 45 is partly or entirely along Fond du Lac Rd., Main St., Algoma Blvd. (Northbound) / High Ave. (Southbound), Jackson St., Murdock St., and Algoma Blvd.
	WIS 76 travels north to Shiocton, Wisconsin. This is Jackson St. from US 45 Murdock St heading north.
	WIS 91 travels west to Berlin, Wisconsin. This is cosigned with WIS 44 along South Park Ave west of US 41 to Waukau Rd. Then it continues west on Waukau Rd.

Other main streets in the Oshkosh area are:

• Hwy. S
• Hwy. T
• Algoma Blvd. (one way north)
• Bowen St.
• Clairville Rd.
• Fisk Ave. (Hwy. N)
• Harrison St. (Hwy. A)
• High Ave. (one way south)
• Knapp St.
• Koeller St. (East frontage road of US 41)
• Main St.
• Merritt Ave.
• Murdock Ave.
• New York Ave.
• Oakwood Rd.
• Oregon St. (Hwy. I)
• Sawyer St.
• Snell Rd.
• Sunnyview Rd. (Hwy. Y)
• Washburn St. (West frontage road of US 41)
• Witzel Ave. (Hwy. E)
• 9th Ave.
• 20th Ave. (Hwy. K)

Oshkosh is also served by the GO Transit (formerly Oshkosh Transit System), which runs nine fixed-route bus routes throughout the city from 6:15 AM until 6:15 PM Monday through Saturday. One of these routes also connects Oshkosh with Neenah, Wisconsin and the Fox Cities' transit system, Valley Transit.

Oshkosh also has an airport named Wittman Field or Wittman Regional Airport which opened in 1927 as Oshkosh Airport Inc. The airport had commercial traffic starting in 1928 when Northwest Airways delivered mail to Oshkosh and the Fox Cities. In 1972, the airport was renamed after race pilot Steve Wittman who was the airport manager for 38 years. Wittman Field did have commercial service on United Airlines and American Airlines until the mid-1980s. Today, Wittman Field is the home of the AirVenture Air Show and Expo (formerly the EAA up to 1998). The EAA was founded in 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Paul Poberezny. The event was first held at Timmerman Field. In 1959, it was moved to Rockford, Illinois. By 1969, the EAA had grown too big for Rockford Municipal Airport, and the convention voted on moving to Oshkosh. During the Air Show, Wittman becomes the busiest airport in the world with more than 500,000 people and 10,000 airplanes attending AirVenture each year.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 66,083 people, 26,138 households, and 13,836 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,582.4 inhabitants per square mile (997.1/km²). There were 28,179 housing units at an average density of 1,101.2 per square mile (425.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.5% White, 3.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 26,138 households of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.1% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 23% were from 45 to 64; and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.2% male and 48.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[15] of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile (1,028.0/km²). There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile (415.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.73% White, 2.19% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.2% were of German and 6.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 24,082 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 18.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,636, and the median income for a family was $48,843. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,154 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,964. About 5.2% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

City hall

Oshkosh Correctional Institution, a Wisconsin Department of Corrections prison, is located in Oshkosh.

Oshkosh is represented by Glenn Grothman (R) in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) in the United States Senate. Rick Gudex (R) represents Oshkosh in the Wisconsin State Senate, and Michael Schraa (R) and Gordon Hintz (D) represent Oshkosh in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Business and industry

Oshkosh Corporation is headquartered in Oshkosh. Oshkosh Corporation, formerly Oshkosh Truck, is the leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty vehicles and bodies in four primary business groups: Access Equipment, Defense, Fire & Emergency, and Commercial. Plastic packaging is also a major industry, with Bemis as a major employer. There are two well known chocolate companies located in Oshkosh, Hughes and Oaks.

Oshkosh is known for OshKosh B'Gosh, a manufacturer of overalls and children's clothing founded in Oshkosh in 1895. Originally a small-town manufacturer of adult work clothing, it became best known for its children's lines. The original children's overalls, dating from the early twentieth century, were intended to help children dress like their fathers. According to the company, sales increased dramatically when Miles Kimball, an Oshkosh-based mail-order catalog, featured a pair of the overalls in its national catalog. As a result, OshKosh B'Gosh began to sell their products through department stores and expanded their children's line. Despite the name, OshKosh B'Gosh overalls are no longer made in Oshkosh, though the company maintains corporate offices there.

Oshkosh is also the home of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" held by the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. ("EAA"). AirVenture is the world's largest airshow, and during AirVenture, air traffic at Wittman Regional Airport exceeds that of any other airport in the world.^[16] EAA is a non-profit member organization, dedicated to home-built aircraft, restored aircraft, light-sport aircraft and fostering an interest in flying in children 8–18 years old through its Young Eagles program.

Tourism and events are part of the local economy. Recreational fishing and boating on Lake Winnebago includes many active fishing tournaments, an annual sturgeon spearing season, and frequent yacht and boat races. Music festivals include the summer-long WaterFest downtown and major summer music festivals for country, Christian, and rock music.

Oshkosh is also home to two regional hospitals and the Winnebago Mental Health Institute located in nearby Winnebago, Wisconsin.

Education

University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

Main article: Oshkosh Area School District

Oshkosh has 15 public elementary schools, six public middle schools, and two high schools operated by the Oshkosh Area School District.

High schools in the Oshkosh Area School District:

• Oshkosh North High School
• Oshkosh West High School

Private high schools:

• Lourdes High School
• Valley Christian High School

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, the third largest university in the state, is located in Oshkosh. The downtown campus serves approximately 14,000 students and employs 1,700 staff. Higher education is also served by a campus of the Fox Valley Technical College.

Public libraries

• Oshkosh Public Library serves Oshkosh.

Culture and entertainment

Oshkosh Public Museum

Grand Opera House.

Oshkosh has seen a recent (as of 2006) resurgence in its cultural and entertainment options.

A downtown redevelopment plan led to the construction of the outdoor Leach Amphitheater on the Fox River, hosting the weekly Waterfest concert series^[17] during the summer, as well as national touring musical acts and local community events. Also in downtown Oshkosh is the Grand Opera House, a performing arts center.

Downtown Oshkosh Gallery Walk, held every first Saturday of the month year-round, surged in attendance in comparison to previous years through the warmer months of 2006.^[18] A number of downtown Oshkosh music venues have opened and existing venues have tended to expand their schedules, following the trend of the area at large. The Jambalaya Art Cooperative and Art Space Collective have been long standing anchors of the Gallery Walk. In 2010, Chicago Magazine called The Jambalaya Cooperative, 413 N. Main St., a "must see" destination when visiting Oshkosh.

Long-running community festivals such as Sawdust Days^[19] in Menominee Park continue to be popular. Menominee Park is also the site of the Menominee Park Zoo and "Little Oshkosh", a community-built playground. Oshkosh is also home to "Country USA" featuring entertainment from dozens of country music acts over a five-day period in June, and "Rock USA" featuring entertainment from many rock music acts as well.

Other points of interest:

• Paine Art Center and Gardens
• Oshkosh Airshow
• University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
• EAA AirVenture Museum
• Oshkosh Public Museum
• Grand Opera House
• Military Veterans Museum
• Jambalaya Art Cooperative
• The southern terminus of the Wiouwash State Trail.

Notable people

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Registered Historic Places in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

• City of Oshkosh
• Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
• Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
•  "Oshkosh, Wis.". The New Student's Reference Work. 1914. 

Municipalities and communities of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States County seat: Oshkosh Cities Appleton‡ Menasha‡ Neenah Omro Oshkosh Village Winneconne Towns Algoma Black Wolf Clayton Menasha Neenah Nekimi Nepeuskun Omro Oshkosh Poygan Rushford Utica Vinland Winchester Winneconne Wolf River CDPs Butte des Morts Eureka Waukau Winchester Unincorporated communities Adella Beach Allenville Black Wolf Black Wolf Point Clarks Point Decorah Beach Elo Fairview Beach Fisk Fitzgerald Harbor Springs Highland Shore Indian Shores Island Park Larsen Lasleys Point Leonards Point Little Point Koro Medina Junction Melrose Park Metz‡ Mikesville Oakwood Orihula Paukotuk Piacenza Pickett Plummer Point Point Comfort Ricker Bay Reighmoor Ring Rivermoor Rush Lake Shangri La Point Snells Sunrise Bay Waverly Beach‡ Winnebago Zion Zittau Ghost towns Delhi Minden Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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Coordinates: 44°01′27″N 88°33′40″W / 44.02417°N 88.56111°W / 44.02417; -88.56111