Lancaster, Wisconsin

Last updated

Lancaster, Wisconsin
Lancaster, Wisconsin City Hall.jpg
Lancaster, Wisconsin City Hall in Lancaster in 2021
Nickname: 
City of the Dome
Grant County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lancaster Highlighted.svg
Location of Lancaster in Grant County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 42°50′55″N90°42′38″W / 42.84861°N 90.71056°W / 42.84861; -90.71056
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin
County Grant
Named for Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Area
[1]
  Total3.01 sq mi (7.80 km2)
  Land3.01 sq mi (7.80 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,099 ft (335 m)
Population
 (2020) [3]
  Total3,907
  Density1,298.9/sq mi (501.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
53813
Area code 608
FIPS code 55-42250 [4]
GNIS feature ID1567823 [2]
Website City of Lancaster official website

Lancaster is a city in and the county seat of Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. [5] The population was 3,907 at the 2020 census. [3]

Contents

History

Lancaster originated as a planned community to serve as the county seat for Grant County. Anticipating the county's establishment in 1836, Major Glendower M. Price, a Cassville merchant and land speculator, purchased the site of Lancaster for its central location in the county. Major Price platted the town on a compass-aligned grid in 1837, reserving a large central square for the new county government. He was persuaded to name the city Lancaster by a relative who migrated from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. [6] Maj. Price and Daniel Banfill contracted to construct the first county courthouse, which stood on the square from 1838–1851. A second courthouse was constructed in 1852–1853 and enlarged in 1865. [7] The present, third courthouse was constructed on the site in 1902. [8]

Pleasant Ridge, one of the first African-American communities in Wisconsin, was founded just outside Lancaster by the Shepard family in 1849 and settled in the 1850s. Lancaster was the home of the first governor of Wisconsin, Nelson Dewey.

Geography

Lancaster is located at 42°50′55″N90°42′38″W / 42.848505°N 90.710430°W / 42.848505; -90.710430 (42.848505, −90.710430). [9] Lancaster is located in the unglaciated "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin whose topography is strikingly different from that of the rest of the state.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.01 square miles (7.80 km2), all of it land. [10]

Lancaster, Wisconsin.jpg

Climate

Climate data for Lancaster 4 WSW, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)60
(16)
71
(22)
84
(29)
95
(35)
104
(40)
100
(38)
108
(42)
103
(39)
100
(38)
94
(34)
77
(25)
68
(20)
108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)25.3
(−3.7)
29.9
(−1.2)
42.9
(6.1)
56.7
(13.7)
68.3
(20.2)
77.4
(25.2)
80.9
(27.2)
79.1
(26.2)
72.2
(22.3)
59.2
(15.1)
43.8
(6.6)
31.0
(−0.6)
55.6
(13.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)17.1
(−8.3)
21.4
(−5.9)
33.8
(1.0)
46.6
(8.1)
58.1
(14.5)
67.8
(19.9)
71.4
(21.9)
69.5
(20.8)
61.9
(16.6)
49.2
(9.6)
35.6
(2.0)
23.5
(−4.7)
46.3
(7.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)8.9
(−12.8)
12.9
(−10.6)
24.8
(−4.0)
36.5
(2.5)
47.9
(8.8)
58.2
(14.6)
61.8
(16.6)
59.8
(15.4)
51.6
(10.9)
39.3
(4.1)
27.5
(−2.5)
16.0
(−8.9)
37.1
(2.8)
Record low °F (°C)−31
(−35)
−31
(−35)
−22
(−30)
6
(−14)
23
(−5)
35
(2)
42
(6)
34
(1)
20
(−7)
3
(−16)
−15
(−26)
−27
(−33)
−31
(−35)
Average precipitation inches (mm)1.20
(30)
1.29
(33)
1.99
(51)
3.80
(97)
4.39
(112)
5.93
(151)
5.03
(128)
3.86
(98)
4.03
(102)
2.90
(74)
2.37
(60)
1.70
(43)
38.49
(978)
Average snowfall inches (cm)10.0
(25)
8.9
(23)
4.9
(12)
1.6
(4.1)
0.2
(0.51)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.5
(1.3)
2.6
(6.6)
8.7
(22)
37.4
(95)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)8.38.09.711.212.912.310.09.89.19.18.29.3117.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)6.15.93.51.20.10.00.00.00.00.31.95.824.8
Source: NOAA [11] [12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880 1,069
1890 1,54344.3%
1900 2,40355.7%
1910 2,329−3.1%
1920 2,4856.7%
1930 2,432−2.1%
1940 2,96321.8%
1950 3,26610.2%
1960 3,70313.4%
1970 3,7561.4%
1980 4,0768.5%
1990 4,1922.8%
2000 4,070−2.9%
2010 3,868−5.0%
2020 3,9071.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, [3] the population was 3,907. The population density was 1,298.9 inhabitants per square mile (501.5/km2). There were 1,800 housing units at an average density of 598.4 per square mile (231.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census [14] of 2010, there were 3,868 people, 1,659 households, and 1,037 families living in the city. The population density was 1,272.4 inhabitants per square mile (491.3/km2). There were 1,805 housing units at an average density of 593.8 per square mile (229.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,659 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.5% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census [4] of 2000, there were 4,070 people, 1,706 households, and 1,079 families living in the city. The population density was 1,441.1 people per square mile (557.2/km2). There were 1,799 housing units at an average density of 637.0 per square mile (246.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.24% White, 0.07% African American, 0.29% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 1,706 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% 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 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,723, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $30,683 versus $22,331 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,797. About 6.4% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Lancaster Post Office, April 2016 The Lancaster Post Office.jpeg
Lancaster Post Office, April 2016

Airports

Lancaster Municipal Airport Lancaster Municipal Airport.jpg
Lancaster Municipal Airport

Lancaster Municipal Airport (73C) serves the city and surrounding communities.

Major highways

Railroads

Until 1980, the village was served by a Chicago and North Western branch line from Madison The village was the end of the branch line. [15]

Education

Lancaster Community School District is the public school district for the community. The town also has a Catholic school.

Architecture

The Lancaster Municipal Building, April 2016 Lancaster, Wisconsin City Hall.jpg
The Lancaster Municipal Building, April 2016

Lancaster calls itself "The City of the Dome" after the octagonal glass and copper-clad dome of its courthouse, which was designed by Armand Koch and built in 1905. In the spandrels of the courthouse dome are four allegorical murals painted by Franz Edward Rohrbeck.

Grant County, Wisconsin Courthouse Grant County, Wisconsin Courthouse.jpg
Grant County, Wisconsin Courthouse

The Municipal Building (1922) is an example of Prairie School early modern architecture, which, like the courthouse, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The L. J. Arthur House, noted for its architecture, is also listed on the National Register.

The Lancaster Post Office contains a Depression-era mural, painted under the Works Progress Administration program in 1940.

The stone and wood Patrick and Margaret Kinney House in Lancaster was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of 45 Wright structures in Wisconsin.

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somerset, Ohio</span> Village in Ohio, United States

Somerset is a village in Perry County, Ohio, United States. The 2024 population estimate was 1,743 with 619 households. It is located 9.5 miles north of the county seat New Lexington and has a dedicated historical district. Saint Joseph Church, the oldest Catholic church in Ohio, is located just outside Somerset on State Route 383.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friendship (village), Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Friendship is a village in Adams County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the county seat of Adams County. The population was 648 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlestown, Wisconsin</span> Town in Wisconsin, United States

Charlestown is a town in Calumet County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 775 at the 2010 census. The unincorporated community of Hayton is located in the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poynette, Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Poynette is a village in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,575 at the 2022 United States census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juneau, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Juneau is a city in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,658 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Dodge County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayville, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Mayville is a city in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States, located along the Rock River and the Horicon Marsh. The population was 5,154 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markesan, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Markesan is a city in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,476 at the 2010 census. The center of population of Wisconsin is located in Markesan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Lisbon, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

New Lisbon is a city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,748 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amery, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Amery is a city in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Apple River. It is a part of Wisconsin's 7th congressional district. The population was 2,902 at the 2010 census. The city was named in honor of William Amery, a carpenter who held several local offices in the 1870s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillips, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Phillips is a city and the county seat of Price County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,533 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richland Center, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Richland Center is a city in Richland County, Wisconsin, United States that also serves as the county seat. The population was 5,114 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawano, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Shawano is a city and the county seat of Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,243 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galesville, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Galesville is a city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,662 at the 2020 census. A dam on Beaver Creek is located at Galesville, forming Lake Marinuka north of the city. The mayor is Vince Howe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitehall, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Whitehall is a city and the county seat of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Trempealeau River. The population was 1,645 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westby, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Westby is a city in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,332 as of the 2020 census. The name "Westby" is a Norwegian name and literally translates to "Western city".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brillion, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Brillion is a city in Calumet County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,538 as of 2024. The city is located within the Town of Brillion, though it is politically independent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randolph, Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Randolph is a village in Columbia and Dodge Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,811 at the 2010 census. Of this, 1,339 were in Dodge County, and 472 were in Columbia County. The village is located at the southeast corner of the Town of Randolph in Columbia County, although only a tiny portion of the village lies within the town. Most of the village lies within the Town of Westford in Dodge County. Small portions also lie within the Town of Fox Lake to the north and the Town of Courtland in Columbia County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crandon, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Crandon is a city in Forest County, Wisconsin, United States; it is in the northeastern part of the state, about 100 miles (160 km) north of Green Bay. The population was 1,713 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Forest County and is the only incorporated community in the county. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Crandon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milltown, Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Milltown is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 917 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Milltown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wautoma, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Wautoma is a city and the county seat of Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,218 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census: Lancaster city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. Butterfield, Consul Willshire (1881). History of Grant County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical Co. pp. 640–641. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  7. Butterfield 1881, p. 515.
  8. "126 W Maple St Property Record". Wisconsin Historical Society. January 1, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "2020 Gazetteer Files". census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  11. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  12. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  15. Cotey, Angela (September 6, 2016). "Remembering the C&NW in Madison". trains.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.