Kiel, Wisconsin

Kiel is a city in Calumet and Manitowoc counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,738 at the 2010 census. Of this, 3,429 residents lived in Manitowoc County, and 309 residents lived in Calumet County. The city is located primarily within Manitowoc County, though a portion extends west into adjacent Calumet County and is known as "Hinzeville".[6]

For the town formerly named Kiel in Oklahoma, see Loyal, Oklahoma.
Kiel, Wisconsin
City
Kiel City Hall
Flag
Location of Kiel in Calumet County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 43°54′53″N 88°1′55″W
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountiesManitowoc, Calumet
Area
 • Total2.65 sq mi (6.86 km2)
 • Land2.52 sq mi (6.53 km2)
 • Water0.13 sq mi (0.33 km2)
Elevation919 ft (280 m)
Population
 • Total3,738
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
3,796
 • Density1,506.35/sq mi (581.55/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)920
FIPS code55-39525[5]
GNIS feature ID1567461[2]
Websitewww.ci.kiel.wi.us

It was once known as the Wooden Shoes Capital of Wisconsin as it held the only wooden shoes factory in Wisconsin.[7]

History

In 1852 Charley Lindemann immigrated to the area and began a settlement among the Native American Menominee and Potawatomi tribes.[8] His wife named the community after her home town of Kiel, Germany.[8] Two years later, Col. Henry F. Belitz, later nicknamed the "Father of Kiel", built a hotel and mill along the north side of the Sheboygan River.[8] A road was built across Wisconsin to connect Green Bay with Milwaukee area communities.[8] The bridge was built across the Sheboygan River in 1858 connecting Kiel with Sheboygan.[8] In the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, Kiel became a manufacturing area with businesses specializing in brick, wood shoes, machine, and furniture manufacturing.[8]

A book called "Yellowbird" written by Kielite Henry Goeres in the late 1800s recounts - in a blend of fact and fiction - the early history of the settlement in the 1850s when European settlers interacted with Native Americans in the area.[9]

Kiel was incorporated as a village in 1892 and later incorporated as a city.

The city continues to retain a diverse manufacturing and commercial base, which has long been a characteristic of the community.

Community life

Each year in August, Kiel holds the Kiel Community Picnic or "Kiel Picnic" in City Park. At present, the Kiel Picnic runs for four days from a Thursday through a Sunday. The Kiel Parade is held on Fremont Street on the Sunday of the Kiel Picnic. Traditionally, the firing of a cannon announced the start of the Picnic.

Each year in February, Kiel holds its Ice Sculpting Contest on Fremont Street.[10] Sponsored teams compete for prizes.

Kiel has a significant amount of German heritage, and each June, the city holds "German Days" in City Park.

The Kiel Municipal Band, a community marching band, traces its origins to the late 1800s.[11] The band is known for its signature tune "Invincible Fidelity".[12]

The city has several public parks and walking trails. The Solomon Biking Trail is a biking trail that runs between Kiel and the nearby city of New Holstein.

Geography

Kiel is located at 43°54′53″N 88°1′55″W (43.914718, -88.031812),[13] along the Sheboygan River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.67 square miles (6.92 km2), of which, 2.53 square miles (6.55 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[14]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880363—
189049736.9%
190092485.9%
19101,24434.6%
19201,59928.5%
19301,80312.8%
19401,8985.3%
19502,12912.2%
19602,52418.6%
19702,84812.8%
19803,0838.3%
19902,910−5.6%
20003,45018.6%
20103,7388.3%
Est. 20193,796[4]1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

2010 census
Downtown Kiel

At the 2010 census there were 3,738 people in 1,565 households, including 1,021 families, in the city. The population density was 1,477.5 inhabitants per square mile (570.5/km2). There were 1,697 housing units at an average density of 670.8 per square mile (259.0/km2). The racial makup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0%.[3]

Of the 1,565 households 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 29.9% of households were one person and 13.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 38.7 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,450 people in 1,425 households, including 940 families, in the city. The population density was 1,433.9 people per square mile (552.7/km²). There were 1,498 housing units at an average density of 622.6 per square mile (240.0/km²). The racial makup of the city was 98.58% White, 0.06% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72%.[5]

Of the 1,425 households 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.0% of households were one person and 14.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median household income was $44,239 and the median family income was $53,798. Males had a median income of $36,576 versus $27,070 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,112. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Wisconsin Highway 67 run north/south at the extreme east edge of Kiel. Highways 32 and 57 run through downtown Kiel, entering the city from the north at the northwest corner of the city and enter from the east at the southeast corner of the city. Wisconsin Highway 149 (now CTH XX east of Kiel) originally had its western terminus in Kiel. It later was extended west to Fond du Lac. Many years later the original route from Cleveland to Kiel was decommissioned and the eastern terminus of the highway was located in Kiel. The entire route was decommissioned in the 2000s.The Sheboygan River enters the city from the Kiel Marsh at the southwest edge of the city under a railroad trestle, meanders through downtown under a wooden footbridge and vehicular bridge, and exits the city in the east side of the city. The river is rarely used as a means of transportation, though it is used for recreational purposes, including canoeing and fishing in warm weather and, in the winter, ice skating and snowmobiling. There is a dam in downtown Kiel, another downstream in Rockville, and a third several miles downstream in Millhome.

Kiel is served by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad. Historically this line was built in 1872 by the Milwaukee Road.

Businesses

Notable people
  • Trevor Casper, former Wisconsin State Trooper killed in the line of duty
  • Amy Krueger, soldier and victim of the Fort Hood Massacre[16]
  • Colonel Henry F. Belitz, founder, Union officer in the U.S. Civil War,[17] and presidential elector of Abraham Lincoln in 1864[18]

Images
gollark: I am using the discord bridge.
gollark: Oh hey, I found a useful plethora feature.
gollark: Is it though? Is it really?
gollark: I should make a service which just continually broadcasts the weather from a daylight sensor over modems.
gollark: Yes, you can, plethora has something, neat.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Obituary for Frederick George Johnson at Meiselwitz - Vollstedt Funeral Home". meiselwitzfh.com. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  7. Lauson, Richard (January 19, 1925). "State's First and Only Wooden Shoe Factory Still Operating in Kiel". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  8. "Term: Kiel [brief history]". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  9. "The State: Yellowbird : a true tale of the early settlement of Town Schleswig, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin: The Author". digicoll.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  10. "https://kielwi.org/ice-sculpting". kielwi.org. Retrieved 2017-03-19. External link in |title= (help)
  11. "Kiel Municipal Band". kielmunicipalband.org. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
  12. Deb Fett (2010-08-17), Kiel Band (KMB)-Parade 2010, retrieved 2017-03-19
  13. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  14. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. "Two from Wisconsin dead, three injured in Fort Hood shooting". Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  17. "The State: Kiel's heritage: a history of Kiel, 1854-1954: [Frontispiece] Col. Henry F. Belitz". digicoll.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  18. The Wisconsin Blue Book. Legislative Reference Bureau. 1909-01-01.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.