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Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

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Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 14,731 in the 2020 census.[6] Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa County.[7]

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
City
Chippewa Falls Chamber Building Downtown
Chippewa Falls Chamber Building Downtown
Official logo of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls logo
Location of Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Location of Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 44°56′N 91°24′W / 44.933°N 91.400°W / 44.933; -91.400
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountyChippewa
Government
 • MayorGreg Hoffman[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total11.86 sq mi (30.72 km2)
 • Land11.32 sq mi (29.31 km2)
 • Water0.54 sq mi (1.41 km2)
Elevation
[3]
820 ft (250 m)
Population
 (2020 United States Census)[4]
 • Total14,731
 • Density1,301.7/sq mi (502.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Zip code
54729, 54774 (companies/organisations)
Area code(s)715 & 534
FIPS code55-14575[5]
GNIS feature ID1563041[3]
Websiteci.chippewa-falls.wi.us

The city's name originated from its location on the Chippewa River, which is named after the Ojibwe Native Americans. Chippewa is an alternative rendition of Ojibwe.

Chippewa Falls is the birthplace of Seymour Cray, known as the "father of supercomputing", and the headquarters for the original Cray Research. It is also the home of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, the Heyde Center for the Arts, a showcase venue for artists and performers; Irvine Park, and the annual Northern Wisconsin State Fair. Chippewa Falls is 15 miles (24 km) from the annual four-day music festivals Country Fest and Rock Fest.

History

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For thousands of years the Chippewa River was a water highway through a wilderness of forests and swamps, travelled by Ojibwe people, Lakota and others.[8] More recently, Native Americans guided European explorers up the river and around the Falls. Pierre LeSueur "discovered" the Chippewa Spring in 1700 when this area was part of New France.[9] Jonathan Carver traveled up the river with his party in 1768 when the area was claimed by Britain.[10]: 31 

White settlement of the Chippewa Falls area began in 1838, when Lyman Warren and his mostly-Chippewa wife started a farm and blacksmith shop five miles above the Falls. As agreed at the 1825 treaty of Prairie du Chien, Warren was to act as a sub-agent for the U.S. government to the Chippewas. Intertwined with that, Warren's farm served as a trading post for the American Fur Company.[10]: 75 [11]

The Chippewa River's watershed held a huge amount of valuable timber - more than the Wisconsin River,[12] and before railroad and roads, the only way to transport much of it out was down the river, through what would become Chippewa Falls. When the 1837 Treaty of St. Peters opened this part of northern Wisconsin to logging, Jean Brunett led a team up the Chippewa River to build a sawmill at the Falls. With great effort and expense, they managed to build the first mill there. It survived until June 1846, when a storm flooded the river and destroyed most of the millworks. The mill was rebuilt quickly and sawing resumed.[10]: 76–77 

A settlement grew around the sawmill at the Falls, and in 1854 Chippewa Falls was chosen to be the seat of Chippewa County. A school, a post office, a mercantile store, the first churches, and the first newspaper had all opened by 1857. The city incorporated in 1869 with about 2,500 people. In the 1870s boardwalks were added along Bridge Street, gas streetlights were installed, and a telephone line was run up from Eau Claire.[13]: 41–42 

Railroads also arrived in the 1870s. In 1870, the West Wisconsin Railway had built a line from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Milwaukee, running ten miles to the south through Eau Claire. In 1875 the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls Railway connected that line from Eau Claire to Chippewa Falls. In 1880, the CF&W was joined by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Railway pushing its way west from Abbotsford. This was followed in 1881 by the Chippewa Falls & Northern Railroad, which built a line north from Chippewa Falls to Bloomer, eventually extending it to Superior.

Lumbering continued to grow. By the 1880s the Chippewa valley held the best stand of white pine left in the Midwest. The sawmill at Chippewa Falls was run by the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, and the company's logging crews cut trees on their lands upstream in winter and drove logs down to the sawmill at the Falls each spring. The company employed 400 people and the mill at Chippewa was said to be "the largest sawmill under one roof in the world."[13]

 
The original Spring House.

The Chippewa Spring gained renewed attention in 1887 when politician Thaddeus C. Pound founded the Chippewa Springs Health Club, and at one point oversaw the company that bottled the spring water for sale. A Spring House was built over the original spring in 1893. It remains today, across from the modern water bottling plant on Park Ave.[9]

Other industries started in the 1880s and 1890s: flour mills, a brewery, a woolen mill, cigar factories, a shoe factory, and a broom factory. By 1902 it had become clear that the pineries were not as inexhaustible as many had thought, and a group of business leaders began to promote more diverse industries. They succeeded in starting more shoe factories, a sugar beet factory, and a glove factory. The big sawmill closed in 1911, but the other industries kept the community going. By 1920 the city had fifty manufacturers who employed 3,000 workers.[13]: 41–42 

Geography

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Chippewa Falls is located along the north bank of the Chippewa River approximately three miles west of Lake Wissota.[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.86 square miles (30.7 km2), of which 11.32 square miles (29.3 km2) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.4 km2) is water.[15]

 
Business loop of US-53 crossing over the Chippewa River

Climate

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Chippewa Falls
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
39
 
 
−11
−16
 
 
58
 
 
−6
−15
 
 
62
 
 
1
−8
 
 
133
 
 
17
2
 
 
180
 
 
22
8
 
 
189
 
 
26
14
 
 
63
 
 
27
17
 
 
101
 
 
25
17
 
 
78
 
 
21
13
 
 
111
 
 
14
4
 
 
47
 
 
7
−2
 
 
46
 
 
−9
−13
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [16]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.5
 
 
12
3
 
 
2.3
 
 
21
5
 
 
2.4
 
 
34
18
 
 
5.2
 
 
63
36
 
 
7.1
 
 
72
46
 
 
7.4
 
 
79
57
 
 
2.5
 
 
81
63
 
 
4
 
 
77
63
 
 
3.1
 
 
70
55
 
 
4.4
 
 
57
39
 
 
1.9
 
 
45
28
 
 
1.8
 
 
16
9
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,507—
18803,98258.8%
18908,670117.7%
19008,094−6.6%
19108,8939.9%
19209,1302.7%
19309,5394.5%
194010,3688.7%
195011,0886.9%
196011,7085.6%
197012,3515.5%
198012,270−0.7%
199012,7273.7%
200012,9251.6%
201013,6615.7%
202014,7317.8%
WI Counties 1900-1990

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[4] the population was 14,731. The population density was 1,301.7 inhabitants per square mile (502.6/km2). There were 6,772 housing units at an average density of 598.4 per square mile (231.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.1% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.7% Native American, 0.7% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

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As of the census[17] of 2010, there were 13,661 people, 5,896 households, and 3,275 families living in the city. The population density was 1,201.5 inhabitants per square mile (463.9/km2). There were 6,304 housing units at an average density of 554.4 per square mile (214.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 1.7% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 5,896 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.5% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census

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At the 2000 census,[5] there were 12,925 people, 5,638 households and 3,247 families living in the city. The population density was 1,191.2 per square mile (459.9/km2). There were 5,905 housing units at an average density of 544.2 per square mile (210.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.62% White, 0.30% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 5,638 households, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% 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 2.89.

Age distribution was 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median household income was $32,744, and the median family income was $43,519. Males had a median income of $32,016 versus $22,655 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,366. About 8.7% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 48.1% 3,495 48.9% 3,553 3.0% 218
2016 46.6% 2,979 45.9% 2,934 7.5% 479
2012 42.5% 2,665 56.3% 3,530 1.2% 116

Economy

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Renovated Chippewa Shoe Factory facing the Chippewa River in Chippewa Falls
 
Small intermodal terminal in Chippewa Falls on the Canadian National line

As of 2011, the largest employers in the city were:[19]

1 TTM Advanced Circuits
2 Chippewa Falls Public Schools
3 Saint Joseph's Hospital
4 Wal-Mart
5 Mason Companies Inc
6 Chippewa County
7 Silicon Graphics International
8 Cooperative Educational Service Agency #10
9 Cray Inc
10 Wissota Healthcare Regional Vent CT

Infrastructure

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Chippewa Falls is along U.S. Highway 53, Wisconsin Highways 124 and 178, and Bus. WIS 29. Other routes include Wisconsin Highway 29; and County Highways J, Q, S, and X.

Education

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The original McDonell High School is now a public arts center.

The Chippewa Falls Area School District (CFSD) serves the city of Chippewa Falls. It has two high schools: Chippewa Falls Senior High and Chippewa Falls Alternate High School; two middle schools: Chippewa Falls Middle School, and Chippewa Falls Alternate Middle School; and six elementary schools: Parkview, Hillcrest, Southview, Stillson, Halmstad, and Jim Falls Elementary.

In addition there are several parochial schools: McDonell Central Catholic High School, Notre Dame Middle School, Holy Ghost, St. Charles, and St. Peter Elementary Schools, all of which are part of the McDonell Area Catholic Schools (MACS).

The original McDonell High School building, constructed at a prominent location above downtown Chippewa Falls, is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The structure was built in 1907. After the high school was relocated to a new building in a more suburban location, this structure was vacant for several years. It was taken over by the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association and converted into the Heyde Center for the Arts in 2000.

Notable people

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Politicians

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Military

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Sports

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Law

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Other

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  • Will Anderson, singer and songwriter, Hotline TNT
  • Andrew S. Cray, LGBT Rights Activist
  • Seymour Cray (1925–1996), electrical engineer and supercomputer architect who founded Cray Research
  • Judy Henske, singer and songwriter, "Queen of the Beatniks"; songs about Chippewa roots include "The Ballad of Seymour Cray"
  • William F. Kirk (1877–1927), nationally syndicated columnist, poet, songwriter, humorist and baseball writer
  • Howard "Guitar" Luedtke, blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and musician who tours with his band, Howard "Guitar" Luedtke & Blue Max
  • Herbert L. Risteen educator, author of childrens' and young adult books and crossword puzzle writer for the New York Times
  • Eddy Waller (1889–1977), actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1929 and 1963
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  • In the 1977 film Annie Hall, Chippewa Falls is mentioned as being the hometown of Annie Hall (played by Diane Keaton).
  • In the 1997 film Titanic, Chippewa Falls is mentioned as being the hometown of Jack Dawson (played by Leonardo Dicaprio).

Important structures

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Mayor and City Council Members | City of Chippewa Falls, WI". www.chippewafalls-wi.gov.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  4. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census: Chippewa Falls city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ datacommons.org
  7. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ Bokern, James K. (1987). "The History and Primary Canoe Routes of the Six Chippewa Bands from the Lac Du Flambeau District". Manitowish Waters Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Chippewa Springs". The Historical Marker Database. Chippewa County Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Forrester, George (1892). Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley Wisconsin. Chicago, Ill.: A. Warner.
  11. ^ "Chippewa City #7". Go Chippewa County. Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Vogel, John N. (Spring 1983). "The Round Lake Logging Dam: A Survivor of Wisconsin's Log-driving Days". Wisconsin Magazine of History. 66 (3): 170–191. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Justin Miller (January 31, 2020). "NRHP Inventory/Nomination: West Hill Residential Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  14. ^ Wisconsin Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 15th ed., 2020, p. 54-5 ISBN 1946494054
  15. ^ "2020 Gazetteer Files". census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  18. ^ "Wisconsin election results". Dave Leip's Atlas of US Elections. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  19. ^ "Home Page - WisConomy". jobcenterofwisconsin.com.
  20. ^ "Wisconsin History". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  21. ^ "Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight". Archived from the original on September 12, 2005. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  22. ^ "Horace Ellis - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com.
  23. ^ "Gene Ellenson at www.pro-football-reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
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