Watertown, Wisconsin

Watertown is a city in Dodge and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Most of the city's population is in Jefferson County. Division Street, several blocks north of downtown, marks the county line. The population of Watertown was 23,861 at the 2010 census.[6] Of this, 15,402 were in Jefferson County, and 8,459 were in Dodge County.

This article is about the city. For the adjacent town, see Watertown (town), Wisconsin.
Watertown, Wisconsin
City
Main Street in downtown Watertown
Location of Watertown in Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 43°12′N 88°43′W
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountiesJefferson, Dodge
Government
 • TypeMayor – Common Council
 • MayorEmily McFarland
Area
 • Total12.46 sq mi (32.28 km2)
 • Land12.06 sq mi (31.25 km2)
 • Water0.40 sq mi (1.04 km2)
Elevation853 ft (260 m)
Population
 • Total23,861
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
23,479
 • Density1,946.20/sq mi (751.43/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)920
FIPS code55-83975[5]
GNIS feature ID1576295[2]
Websitewww.ci.watertown.wi.us

Watertown is the largest city in the Watertown-Fort Atkinson micropolitan area, which also includes Johnson Creek and Jefferson.

History

Origin

Watertown was first settled by Timothy Johnson, who built a cabin on the west side of the Rock River in 1836. He was born in Middleton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, on the 28th of June, 1792.[7] A park on the west side of the city is named in his honor. The area was settled to utilize the power of the Rock River, which falls 20 feet (6.1 m) in two miles (two 10-foot (3.0 m) dams). In contrast, the Rock River falls only 34 feet (10 m) in 58 miles (93 km) upstream from Watertown.[8] The water power was first used for sawmills, and later prompted the construction of two hydroelectric dams, one downtown (where the river flows south) and one on the eastern edge of the city (where the river flows north).

Watertown was a New England settlement. The original founders of Watertown consisted entirely of settlers from New England, particularly Connecticut, rural Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well some from upstate New York who were born to parents who had migrated to that region from New England shortly after the American Revolution. These people were "Yankees", that is to say they were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the 1600s. They were part of a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the wilds of the Northwest Territory during the early 1800s. Most of them arrived as a result of the completion of the Erie Canal as well as the end of the Black Hawk War. When they arrived in what is now Watertown there was nothing but dense virgin forest and wild prairie, the New Englanders laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings and established post routes. They brought with them many of their Yankee New England values, such as a passion for education, establishing many schools as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Due to the second Great Awakening some of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before moving to what is now Watertown. Watertown, like much of Wisconsin, would be culturally very continuous with early New England culture for most of its early history.[9][10][11][12][13] It was incorporated as a village in 1849, and chartered as a city in 1853.[14]

In the 1850s, immigrants arrived in Watertown from Germany. These people were fleeing revolutions and turmoil in Germany which often saw pogroms against the wealthy. It was deemed better to be poor or middle class in America than it was to be wealthy in Germany. Most of the German immigrants who arrived in Watertown brought with them the trappings of the German middle class, including a proclivity for classical music, the Latin language and ornate furniture. Unlike instances in other parts of the country in which they faced discrimination and xenophobia, they were welcomed with open arms by the English-Puritan descended "Yankee" population of Watertown and Jefferson County as a whole. This warm reception led to chain migration, which in turn greatly increased the German population of the region. Culturally they had much in common with the New England derived population. For instance both groups unanimously opposed slavery and both had a pronounced love for commerce and industry. Economically both communities would thrive in Watertown for the entirety of the 19th century, not facing any measurable economic hardships until the Great Depression in the following century.[15]

Milwaukee and Rock River Canal

A canal from Milwaukee to the Watertown area was once planned, but was replaced by railroad before any work had been completed, other than a dam in Milwaukee.[16] The territorial legislature incorporated the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal company in 1836, but the plan was abandoned in 1848. The canal would have provided a waterway between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, but even if completed, it may not have seen much success because railroads had already become the preferred mode of transportation.

19th century growth

In 1853, a plank road was completed from Milwaukee to Watertown.[17] After plank roads were no longer used, the route was replaced by highway (Wisconsin Highway 16) and a railroad. A street named "Watertown Plank Road" survives in Milwaukee. It is referred to in the "Plank Road Brewery" family of beers, produced by Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee.

The downstream of Watertown's two dams, with a portion of downtown in the background
Watertown's Octagon House

There was an influx of German immigrants in the late 19th century. The city is the home of the first kindergarten in the United States, started in 1856 by Margarethe Schurz, wife of statesman Carl Schurz; the building that housed this kindergarten is now located on the grounds of the Octagon House Museum in Watertown.

City railroad bond default

Growth of the city was substantially hampered when Watertown issued almost half a million dollars in bonds to support the building of two railroads to town to encourage further growth: the Chicago & Fond du Lac Company and the Milwaukee, Watertown & Madison Road.[18] The success of the plank road convinced residents that a railroad would be even more beneficial, and bonds were issued from 1853 to 1855. The Milwaukee and Watertown Railroad, as it was called before it extended to Madison, was completed in 1855, only the second line in the state.[19]

Soon after, in the Panic of 1857, the two railroads went bankrupt. The bonds were sold by the original investors to out-of-town speculators at a small fraction of their face value. Since the railroads were never built and did not produce revenue, the city was unable to pay off the bonds. Moreover, the city did not feel compelled to do so because the creditors (those who held the bonds) were not only from out of town, but weren't even the original holders. Yet the creditors exerted so much pressure on the city to pay off the bonds that Watertown effectively dissolved its government so that there was no legal entity (the government as a whole or officers) that could be served a court order to pay or appear in court. The case was not resolved until 1889, when it had risen all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, which essentially dismissed the case of the creditors. A small amount remained to be paid, and this was not paid off until 1905, half a century later.[20]

Geography and climate

Watertown is located in southeastern Wisconsin, approximately midway between Madison and Milwaukee, at 43°12'N 88°43'W (43.193, −88.724).[21] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.51 square miles (32.40 km2), of which, 12.11 square miles (31.36 km2) is land and 0.40 square miles (1.04 km2) is water.[22] Small communities in the immediate area (e.g., within the school district) include Richwood, Lebanon, Old Lebanon, Sugar Island, Pipersville, Concord, Ebenezer, and Grellton.

The Rock River flows through Watertown in a horseshoe bend before heading south and west on its way to the Mississippi River. The city originally developed inside the horseshoe, though it has long since grown beyond. Silver Creek adjoins the river in the city, as does a short creek on the west side.

The most notable geographical feature is a high density of drumlins, long hills formed by the glaciers of the Wisconsin glaciation as they retreated northwards. Hills in the area are elongated in the north-south direction.

Weather
Climate data for Watertown, Wisconsin
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F 28 30 41 55 68 78 82 80 71 60 42 32 56
Average low °F 10 14 24 35 44 55 59 57 50 39 28 17 36
Average rainfall inches 1.4 1.3 2.1 2.9 3.3 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.8 2.5 2.2 1.6 32.3
Average high °C −2 −1 5 13 20 26 28 27 22 16 6 0 13
Average low °C −12 −10 −4 2 7 13 15 14 10 4 −2 −8 2
Average rainfall mm 36 33 53 74 84 100 94 89 97 64 56 41 820
Source: Weatherbase[23]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18501,451—
18605,302265.4%
18707,55042.4%
18807,8834.4%
18908,75511.1%
19008,437−3.6%
19108,8294.6%
19209,2995.3%
193010,61314.1%
194011,3016.5%
195012,4179.9%
196013,94312.3%
197015,68312.5%
198018,11315.5%
199019,1425.7%
200021,59812.8%
201023,86110.5%
Est. 201923,479[4]−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[24]

As of the census of 2010, there were 23,861 people living in the city.[25]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 23,861 people, 9,187 households, and 6,006 families living in the city. The population density was 1,970.4 inhabitants per square mile (760.8/km2). There were 9,745 housing units at an average density of 804.7 per square mile (310.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 9,187 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 35.7 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 21,598 people, 8,022 households, and 5,567 families living in the city. The population density was 1,974.1 people per square mile (762.3/km2). There were 8,330 housing units at an average density of 761.4 per square mile (294.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.90% White, 0.25% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.

There were 8,022 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,562, and the median income for a family was $50,686. Males had a median income of $34,825 versus $23,811 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,977. About 4.6% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Watertown is in the Watertown Unified School District. The city has one public high school, Watertown High School. Riverside Middle School is on the eastern edge of the city. The public elementary schools in the city are: Lincoln, Schurz, Douglas, and Webster. The city also has one charter high school, Endeavor Charter School.

Six parochial schools serve elementary and middle school students in Watertown, four Lutheran and two Catholic. Luther Preparatory School, a school affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), is located in the central city.

Maranatha Baptist University and its associated private high school, Maranatha Baptist Academy, are located on the west side of Watertown. A branch of the Madison Area Technical College is also on the west side.

Business and industry

Watertown's major employers are the school district, Watertown Regional Medical Center, Bethesda Lutheran Communities, several light industries, food processing, metals, electronics, and regional distribution companies.[26]

Rail & Transload, Inc.

Rail & Transload, Inc., formerly known as Specialty Ingredients, is a transloading facility and terminal railroad located in Watertown that operates approximately 1,100 feet (0.21 mi) of track. The operations occur mostly within a small rail yard directly connected to the Canadian Pacific mainline. The yard has room for up to 125 freight cars, and the inside facility has room for up to five. These are mostly hoppers and tank cars.[27]

Transportation

Primary automobile transportation is provided via Highways 19, 26 and 16. Highway 19 begins in Watertown and runs westward towards Sun Prairie. Highway 16 runs east-west across Wisconsin from Milwaukee to La Crosse, passing around Watertown via a bypass. Business highway 26 runs north-south through the center of the city, while highway 26 bypasses the town to the west. Highways 26 and 16 provide access to Interstate 94. Highway 16 provides access to the Milwaukee metro area, and highway 19 provides access to the Madison metro area.

Airport

Watertown Municipal Airport (KRYV) provides service for the city and surrounding communities.

Rail

Amtrak's Empire Builder passenger train passes through, but does not stop in, Watertown. The nearest Amtrak train station is in Columbus, Wisconsin. Freight rail service is provided by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), the Union Pacific Railroad (UP), and the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR).[28]

Bus/Taxi

The city subsidizes a "Watertown Transit" service that provides taxi and small bus "ride sharing" service between requested stops.[29]

Media

The local newspaper, the Watertown Daily Times, dates back to November 23, 1895, when John W. Cruger and E. J. Schoolcraft formed a partnership to publish a daily newspaper.[30] The newspaper currently has 25,000 readers.[30]

The radio station WTTN, AM 1580, was licensed to Watertown[31] but is now licensed to with the transmitter located west of Columbus, Wisconsin while the studio was moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.[32] WJJO 94.1 FM was originally in Watertown, but is now located in Madison.

Watertown operates a local Government-access television (GATV) channel.[33] Programming includes church services from around the area, as well as special programming, sports, and community events.

Historic landmarks

Notable people
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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. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Watertown city, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  7. "The Johnsons Reunited: Family of city's first citizen arrives". Watertown Chronicle. January 22, 1851. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  8. Upper Rock River Basin – WDNR. Dnr.state.wi.us. [archived]
  9. Ott, John Henry; Center, University of Wisconsin Digital Collections (23 March 2018). "Jefferson County, Wisconsin and Its People: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement". S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018 – via Google Books.
  10. "Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin at it Annual Meeting". 1898.
  11. Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin at Volumes 45-49 By State Historical Society of Wisconsin pg. 132
  12. "Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin". 1898.
  13. Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volumes 45-47 By State Historical Society of Wisconsin pg. 132
  14. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Watertown" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 411.
  15. Charles J. Wallman. The German-speaking Forty-eighters: Builders of Watertown, Wisconsin. Madison: Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, 1990.
  16. Geo. W. Peck. Wisconsin: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form. Madison, Wis.: Western Historical Association, 1906, p. 72.
  17. Watertown Historical Society. Watertown Wisconsin History Timeline. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  18. Ben Feld, "City Government 101" in Ken Riedl (ed.), History of Watertown, Wisconsin.
  19. M. Wyman. The Wisconsin Frontier. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1998.
  20. Milwaukee and Watertown Railroad. Watertown History.
  21. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  22. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  23. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Watertown, Wisconsin, United States of America". Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  24. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  25. 2010 Demographic Profile. Census.gov (March 13, 2012). [archived]
  26. "Watertown Wisconsin Major Employers". Watertown Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved 21 Apr 2014.
  27. "Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030" (PDF). Wisconsin DOT.
  28. "Wisconsin Railroads and Harbors Map - 2019" (PDF). Wisconsin DOT. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  29. City of Watertown - Watertown Transit http://www.ci.watertown.wi.us/residents/watertown_transit. Retrieved 5 June 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. Daily Times History, Watertown Daily Times, March 31, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  31. OnTheRadio.net. None.
  32. Radio Locator. Radio Locator (May 14, 2009).
  33. "Watertown TV". watertowntv.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  34. Report and Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin for the Years 1880, 1881, and 1882 vol. 9, Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1882, p. 449.
  35. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1919. Madison: State Printing Board, 1919, p. 472.
  36. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1905,' Biographical Sketch of Edward Racek, pg. 1101

Further reading
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