Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Beaver Dam
City
Looking east at downtown Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Location of Beaver Dam in Wisconsin
Coordinates: 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°WCoordinates: 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°W
Country	United States of America
State	Wisconsin
County	Dodge County
Settled	1852
Government
• Mayor	Tom Kennedy
Area[1]
• City	8.17 sq mi (21.16 km^2)
• Land	6.79 sq mi (17.59 km^2)
• Water	1.38 sq mi (3.57 km^2)  16.89%
Population (2010)[2]
• City	16,214
• Estimate (2012[3])	16,291
• Density	2,387.9/sq mi (922.0/km^2)
• Metro	88,489
Time zone	Central
Website	http://www.cityofbeaverdam.com

Beaver Dam is a city in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States, along Beaver Dam Lake and the Beaver Dam River. The population was 16,345 in 2014, making it the largest city primarily located in Dodge County.^[4] It is the principal city of the Beaver Dam Micropolitan Statistical area. The city is located within the Town of Beaver Dam.

History

Williams Free Library

Beaver Dam was first settled by Thomas Mackie and Joseph Goetschius in 1841, and by 1843 had a population of almost 100. The city was named for an old beaver dam located in a stream flowing into Beaver Dam River.^[5] The area had also been known as Okwaanim, Chippewa for beaver dam.^[6] The community was incorporated as a city on March 18, 1856.^[7] That same year the Milwaukee Railroad reached the area, encouraging further growth.

Beaver Dam hosted a World War II POW camp called Camp Beaver Dam in the summer of 1944. The camp held 300 German prisoners of war in a tent city encampment where the Wayland Academy field house now stands.^[8]

Beaver Dam is also home to the Williams Free Library, the first public library in the United States to have open stacks.

Geography and climate

Beaver Dam is located at 43°27′35″N 88°50′9″W / 43.45972°N 88.83583°W (43.459967, −88.836066).^[9]

Water tower in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.17 square miles (21.16 km²), of which, 6.79 square miles (17.59 km²) is land and 1.38 square miles (3.57 km²) is water.^[1]

Since 1996, the average annual snowfall in Beaver Dam has been 61.7 inches (157 cm). The 2007–2008 winter season was the snowiest on record with 119.7 inches (304 cm).^[10]

Normal climate 1981-2010

Normal temperatures

(Official NWS climate station)^[11]

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Annual
Max °F	26.4	30.6	42.5	57.0	68.0	78.2	81.8	79.7	72.3	60.0	44.4	30.6	56.0
Min °F	9.3	12.5	23.5	35.5	46.1	56.0	60.3	58.9	50.0	38.3	27.0	14.3	36.0

Normal precipitation

(Official NWS climate station)^[11]

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Annual
Inch	1.35	1.36	2.08	3.34	3.57	4.61	4.56	3.62	3.50	2.72	2.41	1.66	34.78

Snowfall

(Official NWS climate station)^[11]

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Annual
Inch	12.5	7.0	6.2	1.3	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	1.8	8.0	38.0

(Official NWS climate station)

Year	1996– 1997	1997– 1998	1998– 1999	1999– 2000	2000– 2001	2001– 2002	2002– 2003	2003– 2004	2004– 2005	2005– 2006	2006– 2007	2007– 2008	2008– 2009	2009– 2010	2010– 2011	2011– 2012	2012– 2013	2013– 2014	2014– 2015	2015– 2016	Annual Avg.	10 yr Running Avg.
Inch	80.0	60.0	49.5	42.3	62.5	40.7	35.5	30.4	53.3	51.3	61.5	119.7	85.9	64.0	96.3	47.2	97.4	67.5	35.1	54.5	61.7	72.9

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	2,765		—
1870	3,265		18.1%
1880	3,416		4.6%
1890	4,222		23.6%
1900	5,128		21.5%
1910	6,758		31.8%
1920	7,992		18.3%
1930	9,867		23.5%
1940	10,356		5.0%
1950	11,867		14.6%
1960	13,118		10.5%
1970	14,265		8.7%
1980	14,149		−0.8%
1990	14,196		0.3%
2000	15,169		6.9%
2010	16,214		6.9%
Est. 2015	16,564	[12]	2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 16,214 people, 6,819 households, and 4,113 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,387.9 inhabitants per square mile (922.0/km²). There were 7,326 housing units at an average density of 1,078.9 per square mile (416.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.0% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the population.

There were 6,819 households of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% 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^[14] of 2000, there were 15,169 people, 6,349 households, and 3,999 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,904.6 people per square mile (1,122.0/km²). There were 6,685 housing units at an average density of 1,280.1 per square mile (494.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 4.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,349 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,873, and the median income for a family was $46,346. Males had a median income of $33,267 versus $23,513 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,592. About 4.5% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Beaver Dam Unified School District provides public education in the area.

Primary education

Beaver Dam's six public primary schools for K to 5th grades are: Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Prairie View Elementary, South Beaver Dam Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Wilson Elementary.

There are two parochial primary schools: St. Katharine Drexel (grades: pre-K to 8th),^[15] and St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran (grades: K to 8th).^[16]

Middle school

Beaver Dam Middle School is the local public middle school teaching 6th through 8th grades.

Secondary education

Moraine Park Technical College campus in Beaver Dam

Beaver Dam High School is the local public high school; its mascot is The Golden Beaver. An alternative school, the Don Smith Learning Academy, is part of the Beaver Dam Unified School District. The city is also home to Wayland Academy, a private school.

Post-secondary education

The Beaver Dam campus of Moraine Park Technical College is located in the city.

Events

Nancy's Notions offices

The following events are held each year in Beaver Dam, WI:^[17]

January:

• Cabin Fever Fest – 4th Sunday

March:

• Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast – 1st Sunday

April:

• Rotary Casino Night – 1st Saturday
• Beaver Dam Area Orchestra Annual Spring Concert – 3rd Saturday

May:

• Nancy's Notions Sewing Exposition – 1st weekend
• Race Into Summer Festival – Sunday of Memorial Day weekend
• Memorial Day Parade – Memorial Day

June:

• Taste of Wisconsin (beer & cheese tasting) – Saturday before Father's Day
• Swan City Classic Car Show – Father's Day

July:

• Lake Days / Swan Park Craft Fair – 2nd weekend

August:

• Corn Roast – 1st Thursday
• Dodge County Fair – 3rd Wednesday through the following Sunday

November:

• Midwest Cream Cheese Competition – Saturday of opening of deer hunting
• Economic Update Luncheon – 3rd Wednesday

December:

• Christmas Parade – 1st Saturday

Government

The Beaver Dam Municipal Building

Beaver Dam is represented by Glenn Grothman (R) in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) in the United States Senate. Scott L. Fitzgerald (R) represents Beaver Dam in the Wisconsin State Senate, and Mark Born (R) in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

References in popular media

Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre

Films shot in Beaver Dam

• Public Enemies (2009) starring Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard & Christian Bale
• The Pit (1981) starring Sammy Snyders & Jeannie Elias
• Thirteen Hours by Air (1936) starring Fred MacMurray & Joan Bennett

Films shot about Beaver Dam

• Yoga Matt (2008) (short) starring Saturday Night Live & MADtv actors

Notable people

Notable people

• Claire B. Bird, Wisconsin State Senator^[18]
• Mark Born, Wisconsin state legislator^[19]
• Samuel D. Burchard, U.S. Representative^[20]
• Michael E. Burke, U.S. Representative^[21]
• Jesse A. Canniff. Wisconsin state legislator, farmer, businessman^[22]
• Columbus Germain, Wisconsin legislator^[23]
• David C. Gowdey, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[24]
• Charles M. Hambright, Wisconsin State Assemblyman^[25]
• Andre Jacque, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[26]
• William Jones, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[27]
• Robert Kastenmeier, U.S. Representative^[28]
• Daniel E. La Bar, Wisconsin State Assemblyman
• Walter J. LaBuy, U.S. District Court Judge in Illinois^[29]
• Silas W. Lamoreaux, lawyer and politician^[30]
• Henry W. Lander, Wisconsin State Senator and Mayor of Beaver Dam^[31]
• Edward C. McFetridge, mayor of Beaver Dam^[32]
• George F. Merrill, Wisconsin State Senator^[33]
• Charles Pettibone, Wisconsin State Senator^[34]
• John Samuel Rowell, politician, agricultural inventor, and pioneer manufacturer^[35]
• Benjamin Sherman, Wisconsin legislator
• A. Scott Sloan, U.S. Representative^[36]
• John Mellen Thurston, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Thurston County, Nebraska is named after him.^[37]
• Philip J. Zink, Wisconsin legislator^[38]
• Eric Baldwin, professional poker player^[39]
• Paul Cloyd, professional basketball player^[40]
• Ric Flair, wrestler^[41]
• Pink Hawley, major league baseball player^[42]
• Addie Joss, MLB player, member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame^[43]
• Lyman Linde, MLB player^[44]
• Doug Lloyd, professional football player^[45]
• Jason Maas, professional football player^[46]
• David Maley, NHL player^[47]
• Bill Rentmeester, NFL/UFL player^[48]
• Elmer Rhenstrom, NFL player^[49]
• Gil Sterr, NFL player^[50]
• Barney Traynor, NFL player^[51]
• Frederick Douglas Underwood, President of Erie Railroad, Director of Wells Fargo^[52]
• Delia Akeley, explorer^[53]
• Edward Creutz, physicist^[54]
• Brian Donlevy, actor^[55]
• Lois Ehlert, illustrator, Caldecott Medal recipient^[56]
• Zona Gale, writer^[57]
• Raymond Z. Gallun, writer^[58]
• Bobby Hatfield, singer, best known as one of The Righteous Brothers singing duo^[59]
• Fred MacMurray, actor^[60]
• Parry Moon, electrical engineer, author
• Kira Salak, writer, adventurer, journalist, attended Wayland Academy^[61]
• Nancy Zieman, television sewing host^[62]

References

1. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
2. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
3. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
4. Watertown, Wisconsin is larger, but it is mostly in Jefferson County
5. "Beaver Dam [brief history", in Dictionary of Wisconsin History
6. Virgil J. Voegl. Indian Names on Wisconsin's Map. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1991, p. 142. ISBN 0-299-12980-2
7. Private and Local Laws Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-six. Madison, Wisconsin: Calkins & Proudfit. 1856. p. 316.
8. Betty Cowley (2002). Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WW II Prisoner-of-war Camps. Oregon, Wis.: Badger Books. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-878569-83-7. In trucks under heavy military escort, 300 German PW's arrived on the 17th of June.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
10. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
11. "1981-2010 Station Name: WI BEAVER DAM GHCN Daily ID: USC00470645". ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
15. Saint Katharine Drexel School: Pre-School & 4K
16. St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran School
17. Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce
18. Paul F. Hunter, ed. (1919). The Wisconsin Blue Book 1919. Madison: Democrat Printing Co. p. 470.
19. Votesmart.org.-Mark Born
20. "Samuel D. Burchard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
21. "Michael E. Burke". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
22. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1948,' Biographical Sketch of Jesse Anson Canniff, pg. 46
23. Bashford, R. M. (ed.). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. 15th ed. Madison: E. B. Bolens,1876, p. 464.
24. "Official Director.". The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
25. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1895,' Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Hambright, pg. 689
26. "Representative Andre Jacque". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
27. 'Wisconsin Blue Cook 1940,' Biographical Sketch of William Jones,, pg. 42
28. "Robert Kastenmeier". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
29. "Walter J. LaBuy". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
30. "Silas W. Lamoreaux". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
31. 'Proceedings of the State Bar Association on Wisconsin 1907,' Wisconsin Bar Association: 1907, Biographical Sketch of Henry W. Lander, pg. 590-593
32. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1883,' Biographical Sketch of Edward C. McFetridge. pg. 471
33. "George F. Merrill". The University of Wisconsin: its history and its alumni, with historical and . Retrieved 27 November 2013.
34. "Charles A. Pettibone.". Dodge County, Wisconsin, Past and Present. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
35. Biography of John Samuel Rowell
36. "A. Scott Sloan". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
37. "John Mellen Thurston". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
38. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1927,' Biographical Sketch of Philip J. Zink, pg. 695
39. "Eric Baldwin". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
40. "Paul Cloyd". Pro-Basketball Reference . Com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
41. "Ric Flair". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
42. "Pink Hawley". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
43. "Addie Joss". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
44. "Lyman Linde". Pro-Baseball Reference . Com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
45. "Doug Lloyd". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
46. "Jason Maas". .argonauts.ca. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
47. "David Maley". National Hockey League. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
48. "Bill Rentmeester". Forty Niners Football Company. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
49. "Elmer Rhenstrom". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
50. "Gil Sterr". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
51. "Barney Traynor". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
52. "Frederick Douglas Underwood". Wisconsin Biographical Dictionary. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
53. "Delia Akeley". HighBeam™ Research, Inc. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
54. Edward Creutz
55. "Brian Donlevy". .dodgecountyhistory.com. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
56. "Lois Ehlert". Wisconsin Center for the Boo. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
57. "Zona Gale". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
58. "Raymond Gallun". Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
59. "Bobby Hatfield". Legacy.com #sthash.8Pj5VXQu.dpuf. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
60. "Fred MacMurray". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
61. Salak, Kira (2004). Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea. National Geographic Books. p. 50.
62. "Nancy Zieman". wpt2.org. Retrieved 29 November 2013.

External links

• City of Beaver Dam
• Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce
•  "Beaver Dam". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.