Eau Claire (/oʊˈklɛər/ oh-KLAIR;[9] French: [o klɛʁ] lit. "clear water") is a city in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the seat of Eau Claire County.[10] It had a population of 69,421 in 2020,[4] making it the state's eighth-most populous city. It is the principal city of the Eau Claire metropolitan area, locally known as the Chippewa Valley, which had 172,007 residents in 2020.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Eau Claire | |
| Motto(s): "Voici l'eau claire!" ("Here is the clear water!") | |
 Location of Eau Claire in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties, Wisconsin. | |
  Eau Claire Location in Wisconsin  Eau Claire Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 44°49′N 91°30′W / 44.817°N 91.500°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| Counties | Eau Claire, Chippewa |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| • City manager | Stephanie Hirsch[1] |
| • WI Assembly | Jodi Emerson (D) Jesse James (R) Warren Petryk (R) |
| • State Senate | Jeff Smith (D) Kathy Bernier (R) |
| • U.S. House | Derrick Van Orden (R) |
| Area | |
| • City | 34.95 sq mi (90.53 km2) |
| • Land | 32.86 sq mi (85.10 km2) |
| • Water | 2.09 sq mi (5.42 km2) 6.15% |
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Population | |
| • City | 69,421 |
| • Estimate (2024)[5] | 73,011[3] |
| • Rank | WI: 8th |
| • Density | 2,112.8/sq mi (815.8/km2) |
| • Metro | 161,151 |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Zip code | 54701-54703 |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-22300[6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1583124[7] |
| Website | http://www.eauclairewi.gov |
| Page text.[8] | |
Eau Claire is at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers on traditional Ojibwe, Dakota, and Ho-Chunk land.[11][12][13] The area's first permanent European American settlers arrived in 1845, and Eau Claire was incorporated as a city in 1872.[14] The city's early growth came from its extensive logging and timber industries. After Eau Claire's lumber industry declined in the early 20th century, the city's economy diversified to encompass manufacturing and Eau Claire became an educational center with the opening of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 1916.[15] Eau Claire is also a regional commercial and business center and home to the headquarters of home improvement store chain Menards.[16]
Eau Claire is known regionally for its arts and music scenes and is the hometown of indie folk band Bon Iver, whose lead singer Justin Vernon co-curated the city's annual Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival.[17] Eau Claire is the second fastest-growing major city in Wisconsin after Madison, with 5.4% population growth between 2010 and 2020.[18]
Etymology
editEau Claire took its name from Eau Claire County.[19] "Eau Claire" is the singular form of the original French name, "Eaux Claires", meaning "Clear Waters", for the Eau Claire River. According to local legend, the river was so named because early French explorers journeying down the rain-muddied Chippewa River, came upon the confluence with the Eau Claire River, and excitedly exclaimed "Voici l'eau claire!" ("Here is the clear water!"). Now the city motto, this appears on the city seal.
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2021) |
The Eau Claire area was first visited by Europeans in the late 17th century. It had been occupied for thousands of years before European fur traders began settling there for trade with local Native American tribes.
The First Treaty of Prairie du Chien, signed in 1825, established the Chippewa River "half a day's march below the falls" as the boundary between the Sioux and Chippewa, and the "Clear Water River, a branch of the Chippewa" as the boundary between the Chippewa and Winnebago.[12][13]
The first permanent European-American settlers arrived in 1845, and the city was officially incorporated in 1872.[14] Extensive timber was harvested and logging was the major industry during this time; many sawmills were built as part of the lumber industry. Sawmills and other manufacturing made Eau Claire an industrial city by the late 19th century.
The city was founded near the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers as three separate settlements. The main section of downtown is on the site of the original European-American village, where Stephen McCann, in partnership with J. C. Thomas, put up three buildings in 1845. Although these structures were erected primarily to establish a claim to the land site, the McCann family moved into one of them and became the first permanent settlers.[20]
West Eau Claire, founded in 1856, was across the river, near the site of the current county courthouse, and was incorporated in 1872. Between a mile and a half and two miles downstream, the Daniel Shaw & Co. lumber company founded Shawtown, beyond the west end of what is now the Water Street historic district. Shawtown was annexed to the city of Eau Claire by the 1930s.[citation needed] By the 1950s, the entire city had spread far enough to the east to adjoin Altoona.
In 1916, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire was founded, which marked the turn from a mostly lumber production based economy into one centered around manufacturing, education, and healthcare.[21]
In 1917, Gillette Safety Tire Company built a large factory in Eau Claire along the Eau Claire River less than a mile where the rivers meet. The factory mainly created rubber tires and tubing. It had about 1,600 workers in 1920, producing almost 500 tires and 500 rubber tubing everyday. These numbers have increased every year since it opened in 1917. In 1931, United States Rubber Company agreed to purchase Gillette, a sale not completed until 1940 owing to the Great Depression. Due to the start of World War II, the US War Department brought the facility in 1942 to use as an ammunition plant. At the height of the war effort, the plant had over 6,000 employees. Toward the end of the war, the government sold the building back to its original owners, and it was quickly converted back to manufacturing tire products. Throughout the decades after the war, the plant received multiple expansions and was renamed Uniroyal in 1967.[22][23]
In 1991, Uniroyal, one of the largest factories in Eau Claire at the time, announced it would shutter the facility, ultimately causing 1,358 workers to lose their jobs.[24] Although this factory shutdown was detrimental to Eau Claire's economy, the unemployment rate fell from 1991 to 1992. Today the complex, now named Banbury Place, is used as a small business incubator and leased to existing businesses and organizations.[25][26]
Geography
edit
Eau Claire is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, on the northern fringes of the Driftless Zone.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 34.14 square miles (88.42 km2), of which 32.04 square miles (82.98 km2) is land and 2.10 square miles (5.44 km2) is water.[27]
The city's terrain is characterized by the river valleys, with steep slopes leading from the center to the eastern and southern sections of the city. The lands into which the urban area is expanding are increasingly hilly.
There are two lakes in the city, Dells Pond and Half Moon Lake. Dells Pond is a reservoir created by a hydroelectric dam, and was formerly used as a holding pool for logs. Half Moon Lake is an oxbow lake created as part of the former course of the Chippewa River.
Climate
editIn the Köppen climate classification, Eau Claire is classified as Dfa/Dfb borderline, usually termed as the subtype of warm, sometimes hot, summer. Its climate is due to its latitude and interior location in North America. The average annual temperature is only 46 °F (8 °C). Although the extremes exceed 110 °F (43 °C) upwards and −40 °F, which demonstrates the four well-defined seasons of the year, with severe winters generally colder than the winters of European Russia south of Moscow at a much lower latitude. The amount of annual snowfall (47") exceeds the amount of annual rainfall (31"), the total precipitation is greater than other major cities in Wisconsin such as Milwaukee[28] and Madison.[29] July has an average temperature of 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and January an average of 14.4 °F (−9.8 °C), where temperatures below freezing point can remain for a long duration.[30][31][32]
| Climate data for Eau Claire Regional Airport, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals,[33] extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 55 (13) |
63 (17) |
84 (29) |
91 (33) |
107 (42) |
105 (41) |
111 (44) |
104 (40) |
101 (38) |
89 (32) |
79 (26) |
64 (18) |
111 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 42 (6) |
47 (8) |
64 (18) |
80 (27) |
88 (31) |
92 (33) |
93 (34) |
91 (33) |
87 (31) |
79 (26) |
62 (17) |
47 (8) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 23.4 (−4.8) |
28.4 (−2.0) |
41.3 (5.2) |
56.5 (13.6) |
69.6 (20.9) |
78.7 (25.9) |
82.8 (28.2) |
80.4 (26.9) |
72.3 (22.4) |
58.0 (14.4) |
42.0 (5.6) |
28.7 (−1.8) |
55.2 (12.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.6 (−9.7) |
18.8 (−7.3) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
44.8 (7.1) |
57.4 (14.1) |
67.1 (19.5) |
71.3 (21.8) |
69.1 (20.6) |
60.8 (16.0) |
47.5 (8.6) |
33.4 (0.8) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
44.7 (7.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.8 (−14.6) |
9.1 (−12.7) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
33.2 (0.7) |
45.1 (7.3) |
55.5 (13.1) |
59.8 (15.4) |
57.7 (14.3) |
49.3 (9.6) |
36.9 (2.7) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
12.6 (−10.8) |
34.2 (1.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −17 (−27) |
−13 (−25) |
−1 (−18) |
18 (−8) |
30 (−1) |
42 (6) |
49 (9) |
46 (8) |
34 (1) |
22 (−6) |
7 (−14) |
−11 (−24) |
−20 (−29) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −45 (−43) |
−40 (−40) |
−35 (−37) |
0 (−18) |
20 (−7) |
25 (−4) |
41 (5) |
36 (2) |
22 (−6) |
7 (−14) |
−18 (−28) |
−32 (−36) |
−45 (−43) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.03 (26) |
1.10 (28) |
1.97 (50) |
3.08 (78) |
3.91 (99) |
4.83 (123) |
3.61 (92) |
4.18 (106) |
3.65 (93) |
2.49 (63) |
1.79 (45) |
1.35 (34) |
32.99 (838) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 13.5 (34) |
11.2 (28) |
9.6 (24) |
4.3 (11) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
4.7 (12) |
11.0 (28) |
55.4 (141) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 10.1 (26) |
11.7 (30) |
9.4 (24) |
2.2 (5.6) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
2.5 (6.4) |
7.5 (19) |
14.4 (37) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.7 | 8.2 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 13.3 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 10.4 | 10.9 | 10.1 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 127.6 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 10.9 | 8.3 | 5.8 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 9.0 | 42.4 |
| Source: NOAA[34][35] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 2,293 | — | |
| 1880 | 10,119 | 341.3% | |
| 1890 | 17,415 | 72.1% | |
| 1900 | 17,517 | 0.6% | |
| 1910 | 18,310 | 4.5% | |
| 1920 | 20,906 | 14.2% | |
| 1930 | 26,287 | 25.7% | |
| 1940 | 30,745 | 17.0% | |
| 1950 | 36,058 | 17.3% | |
| 1960 | 37,987 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 44,619 | 17.5% | |
| 1980 | 51,509 | 15.4% | |
| 1990 | 56,856 | 10.4% | |
| 2000 | 61,704 | 8.5% | |
| 2010 | 65,883 | 6.8% | |
| 2020 | 69,421 | 5.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 73,011 | 5.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
editAs of the census of 2020,[4] the population was 69,421. The population density was 2,112.8 inhabitants per square mile (815.8/km2). There were 29,987 housing units at an average density of 912.6 units per square mile (352.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 5.7% Asian, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The 2020 census population of the city included 147 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities and 3,556 people in student housing.[36]
According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $59,705, and the median income for a family was $82,851. Male full-time workers had a median income of $48,978 versus $39,147 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $31,510. About 4.9% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[37] Of the population age 25 and over, 95.5% were high school graduates or higher and 33.9% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[38]
Of the 69,421 people living in the city, 67,238 were living in Eau Claire County,[39] and 2,183 were living in Chippewa County.[40]
2010 census
edit
As of the census[41] of 2010, there were 65,883 people, 26,803 households, and 14,293 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,056.3 inhabitants per square mile (793.9/km2). There were 28,134 housing units at an average density of 878.1 units per square mile (339.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% White, 4.6% Asian, 1.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 26,803 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.7% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 29.8 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 22.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
As of 2010, there were 1,981 persons within the city limits in Chippewa County and 63,902 in Eau Claire County for a total of 65,883.[42]
Metropolitan area
editThe city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Eau Claire Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties (composite 2010 population: 161,151).[43] Together with the Menomonie Micropolitan Statistical Area (which includes all of Dunn County) to the west, the Eau Claire metropolitan area, forms the Census Bureau's Eau Claire-Menomonie Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a consolidated 2010 population of 205,008.[43][44]
Religion
edit
The Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire is headquartered in the city. Its mother church is Christ Church Cathedral.[45] The city is also within the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse and is home to Sacred Heart Church[46] and St. Patrick's Church. Additionally, Community House, First Congregational Church, First Methodist Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd[47] are in Eau Claire.
Hmong population
editAs of 2017, Hmong Americans were Eau Claire's largest ethnic minority. Jenna Christian, Pa Sia Low Moua, and Ingolf Vogeler, the authors of "The Cultural Landscape of the Hmong in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", write that the Hmong are also the city's "most visible ethnic group".[48]
In 2010, there were 2,181 Hmong people in Eau Claire County,[48] While the Hmong population is smaller in Eau Claire County than in Milwaukee, the Hmong are a higher percentage of the population in Eau Claire County, and Christian, Moua, and Vogeler write, "the Hmong stand out more singularly as an ethnic minority than they do in metropolitan areas like Milwaukee, which is already more racially and culturally diverse."[49] The majority of the county's Hmong live in the city of Eau Claire. In some Eau Claire neighborhoods, up to 30% of the residents are Hmong.[48]
Economy
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2021) |
Eau Claire styles itself as the "horseradish capital of the world",[50] due to the presence of Silver Spring Foods, the world's largest grower and producer of horseradish.[51] The climate, with its cold winters, is conducive to the horseradish crop. Other significant crops grown in the area are apples, pumpkins and plums.[50] Menards, a Midwestern chain of home improvement stores owned by Wisconsin native John Menard Jr., is headquartered in Eau Claire.
Oakwood Mall is Eau Claire's main mall. It has been open since 1986 and has 91 stores and services. Downtown Eau Claire and Water Street also include a variety of specialty shops, including bike shops, arcades, record shops, and antique stores.[52]
Arts and culture
edit
Performing arts
editEau Claire has a modest but active theater community. No professional theater groups make their home in the region, but amateur and community theaters have a significant presence; the most visible of these are the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild (CVTG)[53] and the Eau Claire Children's Theatre (ECCT).[54] In addition, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has a robust theatre program, and traveling professional shows frequently make stops in the city. The Pablo Center at the Confluence[55] and Haas Fine Arts Center[56] are the primary indoor performing arts venues, although both CVTG and ECCT have established their own independent venues, in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
The Pablo Center at the Confluence was opened in downtown Eau Claire on September 22, 2018. It was built to replace UW-Eau Claire's Kjer Theater as the primary venue for performing arts. Facilities include a 1,200-seat theatre, three rehearsal rooms, visual arts galleries, labs for sound and lighting, set and exhibit design, recording arts, multimedia production, and costume design.[57]
Music
editEau Claire is home to several annual music festivals.[58]
The Blugold Marching Band is a notable part of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's music program, as well as a fixture of the Eau Claire community. The 475-member ensemble is the largest marching band in the Midwest.[59] The band has gone on multiple tours across the Midwest, and had many performances on the world stage.[60]
Sculpture tour
editThe Sculpture Tour Eau Claire is an ongoing outdoor sculpture exhibit along the streets of downtown Eau Claire. There are 53 sculptures, making this tour the second-largest of its type in the nation.[61]
Farmers market
editThe Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market is in Phoenix Park. It is open from May to October and offers a variety of produce and products.[62]
Sports
editBaseball
editEau Claire has four amateur baseball teams. The Eau Claire Express play in the Northwoods League, an NCAA-sanctioned summer baseball league. Its home games are at Carson Park. The Eau Claire Cavaliers also play home games at Carson Park.[63] In addition to the Cavaliers, the Eau Claire Bears and the Eau Claire Rivermen play in the Chippewa River Baseball League. Three of Eau Claire's high schools have baseball teams.[64] Eau Claire North H.S. won the 2011 and 2019 state championship. Eau Claire also has a large youth baseball program, including a summer parks and recreation league, Little League (Nationals, American, Lowes Creek and Seymour). Eau Claire Little League teams have twice won the state championship (1998 Eau Claire Americans and 2012 Eau Claire Nationals) and advanced to Regional play in Indianapolis.[65] A Babe Ruth League (13- to 18-year-olds) won state tournaments at ages 13, 14 and 15 in 2012. Those teams all went on to win 3rd place at their regional tournaments.
Football
editThe Chippewa Valley Predators football team competes in the Northern Elite Football League and plays its home games at Carson Park. The team was established in 2001.[66] The Northern Lights Cowboys compete in the Champions Amateur Football League and play their home games at Carson Park.[67]
As of 2023, the Eau Claire Cowboys football team competes in the Northern Lights Football League and plays its home games at Carson Park[68]
Horseshoes
editEau Claire hosted the 2003 World Horseshoe Championship and the 2019 Wisconsin State Horseshoe Tournament.[69][70]
Parks and recreation
edit
There are several large parks in the city:[71] Owen Park, along the Chippewa River, is home to a large bandshell, where open-air concerts are held throughout the summer; Putnam Park, which follows the course of Putnam Creek and Little Niagara Creek east from the UWEC campus; Carson Park, situated in the middle of an oxbow lake (better known as Halfmoon Lake); and Phoenix Park on the site of the old Phoenix Steel plant at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. Phoenix Park hosts a weekly farmers market and open-air concerts during the summer. Riverview Park is a common summer swimming destination and one of the local boat landings. It has picnicking areas, grills, and public restrooms. There are also two dog parks in Eau Claire: Otter Creek Off-Leash Dog Park and Sundet Off-Leash Dog Park.[72]
The City of Eau Claire also operates Fairfax public pool[73] and Hobbs Municipal Ice Center,[74] an indoor ice center.
Eau Claire is at the head of the Chippewa River State Trail, a biking and recreation trail that follows the lower course of the Chippewa River.
Eau Claire is home to the Eau Claire Marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifier.[75]
Government
edit
In November 1909 a movement to change the city government from the aldermanic to the commission form was launched by the West Side Boosters, the forerunners of the Water Street, Eau Claire Business Men. The campaign that preceded the February 15 election was heated. Local rallies and mass meetings were held. The 20 members of the common council were about equally split about the change. The final vote was 1,867 for change and 995 against.
Since switching from a mayoral system in 1948, Eau Claire has had a city manager-city council form of government. The city council is a nonpartisan 11-member governing council consisting of five members elected from aldermanic districts in odd-numbered years, five members elected at large in even-numbered years, and an elected city council president, elected at large in odd-numbered years.[76]
The council's legislative meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Public hearings are held on the Monday evenings before legislative sessions. All meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall in downtown Eau Claire.[77] Meetings are televised live on public-access television channel 97 and digital cable channel 994 and simulcast on radio station WRFP 101.9 FM.[78]
Eau Claire is represented by Derrick Van Orden in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin in the United States Senate. Jeff Smith and Jesse James represent Eau Claire in the Wisconsin State Senate, and Karen Hurd, Jodi Emerson, and Warren Petryk in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 37.2% 13,765 | 60.3% 22,268 | 2.5% 924 |
| 2016 | 37.2% 13,526 | 54.1% 19,648 | 8.7% 3,162 |
| 2012 | 38.6% 14,105 | 59.5% 21,714 | 1.9% 680 |
| 2008 | 34.8% 12,980 | 63.5% 23,701 | 1.7% 634 |
| 2004 | 41.4% 15,541 | 57.3% 21,511 | 1.3% 473 |
| 2000 | 41.0% 13,168 | 52.4% 16,854 | 6.6% 2,112 |
Education
edit
Eau Claire schools are part of the Eau Claire Area School District. The city has two public high schools: Memorial High School and North High School; and two public charter high schools: McKinley Charter School and Technology Charter School. There are 13 elementary schools and three middle schools in the Eau Claire Area School District.[80] In addition, there is the Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School, which follows the teaching of Maria Montessori.[81] Eau Claire also has two private high schools: Regis High School and Immanuel Lutheran High School.
Eau Claire is home to two public colleges (University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley Technical College) and a private college (Immanuel Lutheran College).
Eau Claire is home to two libraries: McIntyre Library on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus and L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library holds many events, such as children's storytimes, book clubs and makerspace labs.[82]
Media
editThe Eau Claire Leader-Telegram is published five days a week (the Friday edition has extra weekend content), and dates to 1881.[83] Volume One is a biweekly magazine with a circulation of 15,000 and an estimated readership of 45,000.[84]
Television
editNielson Market Research lists Eau Claire/ La Crosse as the 127th largest television market area.[85]
| Channel | Callsign | Affiliation | Branding | Subchannels | Owner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Virtual) | Channel | Programming | ||||
| 8.1 | WKBT WBDL-LD |
CBS | News 8 Now | 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 |
MyNetworkTV Ion Dabl QVC HSN |
Morgan Murphy Media |
| 13.1 | WEAU | NBC | WEAU 13 News | 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 14.10 |
Cozi TV MeTV Movies! Defy TV Outlaw TV The CW |
Gray Television |
| 14.1 | WECX-LD W33DH-D |
The CW | La Crosse Eau Claire CW | 14.2 14.3 14.4 13.10 |
Heroes & Icons Start TV MeTV NBC | |
| 18.1 | WQOW | ABC | WQOW 18 | 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 |
Catchy Comedy This TV Court TV True Crime Network |
Allen Media Broadcasting |
| 28.1 | WHWC | PBS | PBS Wisconsin | 28.2 28.3 28.4 |
Wisconsin Channel Create PBS Kids |
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board |
| 48.1 | WEUX | FOX | FOX 25/48 | 48.2 48.3 48.4 |
Antenna TV Ion Mystery Bounce |
Nexstar Media Group |
| 53.1 | W23FC-D | Defy TV | 53.2 53.3 53.4 |
Ion Scripps News Law & Crime |
Innovate Corp. | |
Cable
edit| Channel | Callsign | Branding | Programming | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 993 | CVCTV | CTV | Local Access | Valley Media Works/ City of Eau Claire |
| 994 | CVCTV | NewsWorks | Public Affairs |
Radio
editFM
| FM radio stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 88.3 FM | WHWC | Wisconsin Public Radio | Ideas Network | Wisconsin Public Radio |
| 88.7 FM | W204BP (KAWZ-FM Translator) |
CSN International | Christian | CSN International |
| 89.1 FM | W206AH (KLOV-FM Translator) |
Family Radio | Christian | Family Radio |
| 89.7 FM | WUEC | Wisconsin Public Radio | News & Classical Network | Wisconsin Public Radio |
| 90.5 FM | WVCF | VCY America | Christian | VCY America |
| 91.3 FM | WHEM | Moody Broadcasting Network | Christian | Moody Broadcasting Network |
| 92.1 FM | WMEQ | Classic Rock 92.1 | Classic rock | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 92.9 FM | WECL | The X | Active Rock | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 94.1 FM | WIAL | I-94 | Hot AC | |
| 95.1 FM | WQRB | B95 | Country | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 95.9 FM | W240DC (WEAQ-AM Translator) |
The Farm 95.9 | Classic country & Ag News/Talk | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 96.3 FM | WHYS | Eau Claire Community Radio | Community | Northern Thunder, Inc. |
| 96.9 FM | WJLM | 3ABN | Christian | 3ABN |
| 97.3 FM | WHRC | |||
| 98.1 FM | WISM | Greatest Hits 98.1 | Classic Hits | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 98.7 FM | W254CN (WBIZ-AM Translator) |
98.7 The Fan | Sports | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 99.1 FM | W256AE (WCFW-FM Translator) |
105.7 Your Variety Station | Adult contemporary | Magnum Radio |
| 99.9 FM | WGNW | The Family | Contemporary Christian | The Family Radio Network, Inc. |
| 100.7 FM | WBIZ | Z100 | Top 40/CHR | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 101.9 FM | WRFP | Converge Radio | Community-Government | Eau Claire Public Access Center, Inc. |
| 102.7 FM | WIEC | WIEC Fat Free Radio | Community | The Eau Claire Broadcasting Association |
| 103.1 FM | W276CP (WOGO-AM Translator) |
680 WOGO | News/Talk | Stewards of Sound, Inc. |
| 103.7 FM | WWIB | 103.7 WWIB | Christian | |
| 104.5 FM | WAXX | WAXX 104.5 | Country | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 105.1 FM | W286CK (WAYY-AM Translator) |
Sports Radio 105.1 | Sports | |
| 105.7 FM | WCFW | 105.7 Your Variety Station | Adult contemporary | Magnum Radio |
| 106.3 FM | W292EG (WMEQ-AM Translator) |
880 WMEQ | News/Talk | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 106.7 FM | WATQ | Moose Country 106.7 | Classic country | |
| 107.9 FM | W300DB (WDVM-AM Translator) |
Relevant Radio | Catholic | Starboard Broadcasting |
AM
| AM radio stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 680 AM | WOGO | 680 WOGO | News/Talk | Stewards of Sound, Inc. |
| 790 AM | WAYY | Sports Radio 105.1 | Sports | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 880 AM | WMEQ | 880 WMEQ | News/Talk | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| 1050 AM | WDVM | Relevant Radio | Catholic | Starboard Broadcasting |
| 1150 AM | WEAQ | The Farm 95.9 | Classic country & Ag News/Talk | Mid-West Family Broadcasting |
| 1400 AM | WBIZ | 98.7 The Fan | Sports | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
Transportation
edit
Airports
editEau Claire is served by the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (IATA: EAU, ICAO: KEAU).
Mass transit
edit- Eau Claire Transit bus lines
Intercity bus
edit- Flixbus (Chicago to Minneapolis via I-94)
- Greyhound Lines (Chicago to Minneapolis via I-94)
- Megabus operated by Wisconsin Coach Lines (Milwaukee to Minneapolis via Green Bay)
Major highways
edit
Interstate 94
U.S. Route 12 ("Clairemont Avenue")
U.S. Route 53 ("The Bypass")
Business US-53 ("Hastings Way")
Highway 29 (bypasses Eau Claire to the north)
Highway 37 ("Hendrickson Drive")
Highway 85 (terminates on Wis. 37 just outside Eau Claire)
Highway 93
Highway 124 (foreshortened in 2006, now ends in neighboring Lake Hallie)
Highway 312 (signed as, and known locally as, the "North Crossing")
Rail
editEau Claire is on freight rail lines owned by the Union Pacific Railroad,[86] formerly owned by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway (Omaha Road), and later part of the Chicago and North Western Railway. C&NW operated passenger trains from Chicago through Eau Claire to the Twin Cities area until 1963, when the Twin Cities 400 ended service.[87] Eau Claire station opened in 1893 and closed with the end of C&NW service. It was demolished in 1987.[88] Passenger rail service to Eau Claire is seen as critical by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and they plan to return trains to the city by 2030.[89] In March 2021, Amtrak unveiled plans to bring a passenger service to Eau Claire as part of a larger route that would connect Eau Claire to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and Milwaukee-to-St. Paul.[90]
Healthcare
editMayo Clinic Health System's Eau Claire location, which has a level 2 trauma rating and serves as the regional trauma center, offers a family medicine residency program.[91] It was also named the #4 best hospital in Wisconsin and recognized as a Best Regional Hospital in northwestern Wisconsin.[92] Eau Claire also has one other hospital which has a level 3 trauma rating,[93][94] Marshfield Medical Center. Both hospitals offer various specialty care units and services.
Notable people
editSister cities
editEau Claire's sister cities are:
Lismore, Australia[95]
Miramar District, Costa Rica[96]
See also
edit- Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls metropolitan area
- Eau Claire, Calgary – a neighborhood in Calgary, Alberta (Canada), whose name was derived from a relocated Eau Claire sawmill
- List of municipalities in Wisconsin by population
- List of Tree Cities USA
References
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- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ "Demographic Services Center's 2024 Population Estimates: Wisconsin's Population Increases Modestly" (PDF). State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Administration. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census: Eau Claire city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. August 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "Cities -". Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Eau Claire, Wisconsin - A Brief History". wisconsinhistory.org. July 27, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Treaty with The Sioux etc - 1825". www.firstpeople.us. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ^ a b "Treaties with the Winnebago" (PDF). nps.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "History and General Information | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin". www.eauclairewi.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Eau Claire, Wisconsin - A Brief History". Wisconsin Historical Society. July 27, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "Menards Corporate Careers". Menards. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "How Bon Iver Saved Eau Claire". Bloomberg.com. August 25, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ "Census: E.C. Growing Faster Than Most Big Wisco Cities". VolumeOne. August 12, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 161.
- ^ Bailey, William F. (1914). "Hotels of Eau Claire: The Hart House". History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin, 1914, Past and Present. Chicago, Illinois: C. F. Cooper & Co. pp. 540–552. Retrieved October 24, 2012 – via WIGenWeb.
- ^ "Eau Claire". Wisconsin Historical Society. January 5, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "It Never Tired: E.C. Plant Was Where Rubber Met the Road". March 2022. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022.
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- ^ "Uniroyal, Inc. Records, 1917–1990". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. April 20, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Fettig, David (April 1993). "Amid the noise of its prominent closures, Eau Claire quietly continues to grow". Fedgazette. 5 (2). Minneapolis: 6. ProQuest 197615376.
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- ^ "Climate Milwaukee: Temperature, Climograph, Climate table for Milwaukee - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Madison climate: Average Temperatures, weather by month, Madison weather averages - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Eau Claire climate: Average Temperatures, weather by month, Eau Claire weather averages - Climate-Data.org". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Climate Eau Claire – Wisconsin and Weather averages Eau Claire – Weather history – January 2018". usclimatedata.com. US Climate Data. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Eau Claire, Wisconsin Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Eau Claire RGNL Ap, WI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Eau Claire city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Eau Claire city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Eau Claire city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Census Bureau profile: Eau Claire city, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Census Bureau profile: Eau Claire city, Chippewa County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "2010 Wisconsin Census Population Counts" (PDF). Legis.wisconsin.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "Wisconsin Blue Book" (PDF).
- ^ [2] Archived April 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Christ Church Cathedral – Home". Christchurcheauclaire.org. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Eau Claire : Intensive Survey Form: Historic Preservation Division" (PDF). Pdfhost.focua.nps.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Home". Goodshepherd-ec.org. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c Christian, Moua, and Vogeler, p. 1 (internal document page number)
- ^ Christian, Moua, and Vogeler, p. 3 (internal document page number)
- ^ a b "Agritourism". www.visiteauclaire.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ "Silver Spring Foods". www.silverspringfoods.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ "Downtown Eau Claire & Water Street Shopping & Boutiques". www.visiteauclaire.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "ABOUT :: Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild". www.cvtg.org. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Home". Eau Claire Children's Theatre. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "UW-Eau Claire | Pablo Center at the Confluence". pablocenter.org. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "Music + Theatre Arts". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "The Pablo Center at the Confluence". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Eaux Claires Festival | Music, Camping, & Hotels". www.visiteauclaire.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Blugold Marching Band grows to 400 members, largest in Midwest". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "Blugold Marching Band". Blugold Marching Band. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Sculpture Tour Eau Claire". www.sculpturetour.org. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "What's Ready When – Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market". Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Home". Eau Claire Cavaliers. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "2011 State Spring Baseball Tournament". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. Retrieved October 19, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Wisconsin State Little League® Tournament Historical Results". Unpage.com. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ "Predators". Northern Elite Football League. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ Anthony, Luc (April 2, 2019). "Time to Saddle Up". volumeone.org. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "The Home of the Eau Claire Cowboys". Eau Claire Cowboys. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "NHPA (National Horseshoe Pitching Association)". NHPA. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Rogner, Carla. "Eau Claire hosts 2019 Wisconsin State Horseshoe Tournament in Carson Park". www.weau.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Eau Claire Parks 101". www.visiteauclaire.com. January 31, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "City of Eau Claire Dog Parks | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin". www.eauclairewi.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Fairfax Municipal Pool | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin". www.eauclairewi.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "Hobbs Municipal Ice Arena | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin". www.eauclairewi.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "Eau Claire Marathon". Eau Claire Marathon. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Eau Claire City Government". Ecpubliclibrary.info. Archived from the original on September 29, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ "City Council". Ci.eau-claire.wi.us. September 3, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ "Eau Claire City Council". Eauclairewicoc.weblinkconnect.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ "Wisconsin election results". Lubar Center for Public Policy and Civic Education. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Please update your bookmarks – Eau Claire Area School District". Ecasd.k12.wi.us. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Montessori Charter School – Eau Claire Area School District". Ecasd.k12.wi.us. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library - so much more!". Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Support Local Journalism - The Leader-Telegram – Eau Claire, WI". leadertelegram.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Advertise with Volume One Magazine – Eau Claire, WI". volumeone.org. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "What People Watch, Listen To and Buy | Nielsen". Nielsenmedia.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Wisconsin Railroads 2009" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Transportation. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
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- ^ "Wisconsin Historical Society:324 Putnam St". January 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Cambridge Systematics, Inc.; Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc.; TKDA, Inc. (February 2009). "Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (Final Report)" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
- ^ Giffey, Tom (April 2021). "Amtrak Eyes Eau Claire Service as Part of Biden's Big Infrastructure Plan". volumeone.org. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
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- ^ "Accreditation and Awards". mayoclinichealthsystem.org. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ "About This Location". www.marshfieldclinic.org. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". dhsgis.wi.gov. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ [3] Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Eau Claire Adds 2nd Sister City". Weau.com. July 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
Further reading
edit- Christian, Jenna; Moua, Pa Sia Low; Vogeler, Ingolf (2008). "The Cultural Landscape of the Hmong in Eau Claire, Wisconsin" (PDF). Wisconsin Geographer. 23: 3–19. S2CID 195823216.
- McArthur, Charles. "Eau Claire, Wisconsin, A City of Opportunities", National Magazine (July 1905)
External links
editGeneral
edit
- City of Eau Claire website
- Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization website
- Eau Claire Travel Bureau
History
edit
- Eau Claire Historic Preservation Foundation
- Eau Claire Landmarks Commission photo collection
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Special Collections and Archives Archived August 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Local History Resources
- Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1883 1885 1889
