Thorp, Wisconsin

Last updated • 9 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Thorp, Wisconsin
ThorpWI.jpg
Downtown Thorp
Clark County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Thorp Highlighted.svg
Location of Thorp in Clark County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 44°57′35″N90°48′4″W / 44.95972°N 90.80111°W / 44.95972; -90.80111
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Wisconsin.svg  Wisconsin
County Clark
Government
  MayorRichard Wnek [1]
Area
[2]
  Total1.49 sq mi (3.87 km2)
  Land1.49 sq mi (3.87 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
1,214 ft (370 m)
Population
 (2010) [4]
  Total1,621
  Estimate 
(2019) [5]
1,611
  Density1,079.76/sq mi (416.77/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 715 & 534
FIPS code 55-79625 [6]
GNIS feature ID1575404 [3]
Website www.cityofthorp.com

Thorp is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,621 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Thorp and partially within the Town of Withee.

Contents

Geography

Thorp is located at 44°57′35″N90°48′3″W / 44.95972°N 90.80083°W / 44.95972; -90.80083 (44.959792, -90.801061). [7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2), all of it land. [8]

History

The forest around Thorp was Chippewa territory in the decades before white settlers arrived. In the 1837 Treaty of St. Peters, the Chippewa ceded Thorp and much of northern Wisconsin to the U.S. [9] Around 1837 a sawmill and settlement began in Chippewa Falls to the west. [10] In 1844 James O'Neill settled at Neillsville to the south. [11] From 1847 to 1853 surveyors for the U.S. government marked off the section lines that would become Thorp and assessed timber and land quality. [12] [13]

The first settler near what would become Thorp was James Seneca Boardman, arriving in 1870 and building a log cabin for his family in what would become the Town of Withee. He made a little money by shaving shingles in the winter and hauling them by ox-sled 50 miles to Black River Falls, where he sold the shingles and returned with supplies. There were some Chippewa families around, but that first year the Boardmans' nearest settler neighbors were ten miles away where Longwood is, and the nearest post office was in Greenwood. [14]

Other settlers arrived soon. In 1871 D.R. Goodwin and George W. Richards settled in what is now the Town of Withee and Michael McCaffrey started a home within what are now the city limits of Thorp. They generally tried to clear land in the summer and made shingles or worked in logging camps in winter. James Boardman's brother Ephraim arrived with his family in late 1872, and in the next few years they were joined by George Courter, Nelson Courter, William Buyatt, S.S. Warner, Zeph Worden, William Jerard and F.M. Futts. [14]

In 1874 the community built a log schoolhouse. The teacher was Mrs. Almeda Edmunds from Black River Falls, and she boarded with the J.S. Boardmans. Also in 1874 B.J. Brown established a post office named Winnieoka four miles east of what would become Thorp. He also stocked some goods which he sold to the locals. The following year, 1875, E.A. Boardman started selling some provisions hauled from Colby in what would become Thorp. [14]

In 1876 the county board established the township of Thorp. E.A. Boardman was elected chairman. The 29 voters also agreed on some taxes: $1000 for improving roads, $300 for bridges, $25 for the school fund. They also agreed to split the children into two school districts. That year the school district built a frame schoolhouse. [14]

Diphtheria broke out in 1879. The J.S. Boardman family lost four children, as did the C.C. Clark family. The Ephraim Boardmans lost two. When it finished, only one student was left in school district one. [14]

In 1880 the Wisconsin Central Railroad reached Thorp from Abbotsford. The little community had been called North Fork, but the railroad named the station Thorpe, and soon shortened it to Thorp. [14] The name honored Joseph G. Thorp, who founded the Eau Claire Lumber Company in 1866 and was a state senator in the 1860s and 1870s. [15]

With the railroad came more growth. L.O. Garrison started a general store. E.A. Boardman opened a post office in his store. In 1881 the Boardmans platted a village of East Thorp, where the business section now is. The railroad had previously platted the west side of town. J.H. Sargent opened the Forest Queen Hotel. And Charles Sheldon and Melvin Nye started a sawmill. In addition to businesses already mentioned, the town also had a saloon, a blacksmith, and five homes. [14]

The First Baptist Church formed in 1882, with the Methodist Episcopal soon after, and St. Bernard's Catholic parish soon after. The first newspaper, the Pioneer, began publishing in 1883, and soon was reorganized into the Courier. That same year the school district built a second building, with four rooms. [14]

Polish immigrants began to arrive in the Thorp area in the late 1880s. By then much of the timber there was cut off, leaving this cutover land reduced to stumps and brush. This land was cheap, holding promise for hard-working new arrivals. The Poles concentrated east of Thorp and built their own wooden Catholic church in 1891, naming it St Hedwig's for a Polish noblewoman. By 1904 their numbers had increased enough to replace the wooden church with the huge brick church that stands today. Many of these immigrants came from the area around Poznań, and they built a school called the Poznan School. [16]

By 1894, major businesses in town were Nye, Lusk and Hudson's Saw Mill and Lumber Yard, the E.A. Boardman Saw Mill and Lumber Yard, and J.W. Cirkel & Sons Stave and Heading Works - a barrel-making factory. [17]

The community of Thorp voted to incorporate as a village in 1893. The population was 837 by this time, and the reasons listed for incorporating included the need for a peace officer and jail to reduce the drunken brawls and disorderliness and bad language in the streets, the cattle and pigs running loose, the manure and filth in the streets, and the need for fire suppression. Addressing some of those concerns, the following year the new village installed a waterworks system with ten fire hydrants around town, and organized a hose company. An electric light plant was installed in 1901, a volunteer fire department in 1902, and a public sewer system in 1914. [14]

The Thorp Telephone Company was organized as a private business in 1904, with fifty phones connected and Miss Allie Bruno manually making the first connections at a magneto switchboard in a building behind the Connor saloon. [14]

Farming and dairying prospered on the cutover land as logging wound down in the early 1900s. Thorp Dairy Co. opened its first creamery in 1907 and by 1917 had five others operating in the area. The Big Four canning factory started in the 1920s and failed. Thorp Finance Co. started in 1924. The Women's Union Club built a library in 1926. [14]

During the Great Depression in the 1930s the People's Exchange Bank closed, and many locals lost their savings. Farm values plummeted and some lost their farms. But some of the Polish immigrants never did trust banks, so didn't lose their savings. Expansion of Blue Moon Foods in 1939 helped raise wages and helped the village out of the depression. [14]

In 1948 Thorp was incorporated into a city. The following year polio broke out, and various activities were cancelled to slow its spread. [14]

Thorp's public swimming pool was built from 1955 to 1957, spurred by donations from Thorp Finance and guided by the Thorp Lions. The rural schools were consolidated around 1960, finally pushing the district to build a new high school in 1963. [14]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890 723
1900 83815.9%
1910 741−11.6%
1920 7967.4%
1930 89212.1%
1940 1,05217.9%
1950 1,38331.5%
1960 1,4968.2%
1970 1,469−1.8%
1980 1,63511.3%
1990 1,6571.3%
2000 1,536−7.3%
2010 1,6215.5%
2019 (est.)1,611 [5] −0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [18]

2010 census

As of the census [4] of 2010, there were 1,621 people, 712 households, and 393 families living in the city. The population density was 1,149.6 inhabitants per square mile (443.9/km2). There were 797 housing units at an average density of 565.2 per square mile (218.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 712 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 23.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census [6] of 2000, there were 1,536 people, 706 households, and 391 families living in the city. The population density was 1,158.9 people per square mile (445.9/km2). There were 759 housing units at an average density of 572.7 per square mile (220.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.41% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 706 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 39.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 27.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,102, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males had a median income of $30,602 versus $20,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,828. About 6.7% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Students living within Thorp, Wisconsin, attend schools within the School District of Thorp. There are two main schools in Thorp. They are the Thorp Catholic School and the Thorp Public School. The Catholic school has grades ranging from 1–8 grade and then they will go to the Thorp High School. The Thorp Public School contains PreK–6 elementary school, 7–8 junior high, and 9–12 high school.

Notable people

Related Research Articles

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

Clark County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,659. Its county seat is Neillsville.

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

Benson is a city in Swift County, Minnesota, United States, along the Chippewa River. The population was 3,240 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat.

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

Chippewa is a town in Ashland County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 374 at the 2010 census.

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

Maxville is a town in Buffalo County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 309 at the 2010 census. The ghost town of Savoy was located in the town.

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

Webster is a village in Burnett County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 653 at the 2010 census. It is along Wisconsin Highway 35.

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

Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 14,778 in the 2021 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa County.

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

Cooks Valley is a town in Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 805 at the 2010 census, up from 632 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Jacob Cook, who purchased property in the valley in the summer of 1858. A post office was established in 1870 with William Miller as the first postmaster.

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

Cornell is a city in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,467 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Chippewa River, upstream from Lake Wissota and Chippewa Falls, where Highway 64 crosses the river and Highway 27.

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

Lafayette is a town in Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,765 at the 2010 census. The census-designated place of Lake Wissota is located within the town. The unincorporated community of Bateman is also located in the town.

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

Stanley is a city in Chippewa and Clark counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,608 at the 2010 census. Of this, 3,602 were in Chippewa County, and 6 in Clark County.

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

Hixon is a town in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 740 at the 2000 census. Most of the village of Withee, most of the city of Owen, and the ghost town of Clark are located in Hixon.

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

Neillsville is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,384 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat.

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

Owen is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 940 at the 2010 census. Owen is located directly east of the village of Withee, which is about half the size of Owen.

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

Weston is a town in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 638 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Christie and Globe are located in the town.

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

Abbotsford is a city in Clark (mostly) and Marathon counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,275 at the 2020 census. Of this, 1,665 were in Clark County, and 610 were in Marathon County. Abbotsford is nicknamed "Wisconsin's First City" due to its alphabetical place on a list of Wisconsin cities.

Nelson is a town in Buffalo County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 571 at the 2010 census. The village of Nelson is located within the town. The unincorporated community of Misha Mokwa and railroad junction Trevino are located in the town. The unincorporated community of Urne is located partially in the town.

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

Withee is a village in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 487 at the 2010 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Hixon, with a small portion extending south into the Town of Longwood.

Withee is a town in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 885 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Lombard is located in the town.

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

Durand is a city in and the county seat of Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States. Situated on the banks of the Chippewa River approximately 15 miles (24 km) from its confluence with the Mississippi River, the city borders the Town of Durand. The population was 1,854 at the 2020 census.

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

Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,349 at the 2020 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford. It is the county seat of Taylor County.

References

  1. "Elected Officials | City of Thorp".
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  9. "Treaty Councils, from Prairie du Chien to Madeline Island". Wisconsin Historic Society. August 3, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  10. Forrester, George (1892). Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley Wisconsin. Chicago, Ill.: A. Warner. pp. 76–77.
  11. "Life of Founder of Neillsville". Neillsville Press. January 22, 1925. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  12. "Field Notes for T29N R4W". Original Field Notes and Plat Maps, 1833-1866. Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  13. "Field Notes for T29N R3W". Original Field Notes and Plat Maps, 1833-1866. Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Comprehensive History of Thorp - 1993". Thorp Courier. June 3, 1993. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  15. Callary, Edward (2016). Place Names of Wisconsin. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 270.
  16. "St. Hedwig's / Poznan Colony". The Historical Marker Database. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  17. "Thorpe, Clark Co., Wis. Aug.1894". Wisconsin Historical Society. Sanborn-Perris Map Co. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  18. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.