Manitowoc, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Manitowoc River, near where it entersLake Michigan, reflecting the skyline of downtown Manitowoc, with theU.S. 10 highway bridge at left | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname(s): | |
 Location of Manitowoc in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin | |
  Manitowoc | |
| Coordinates:44°5′47″N87°40′30″W / 44.09639°N 87.67500°W /44.09639; -87.67500 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Manitowoc |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Justin Nickels |
| Area | |
• Total | 18.14 sq mi (46.98 km2) |
| • Land | 17.78 sq mi (46.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| Population | |
• Total | 34,626 |
| • Density | 1,900/sq mi (740/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 54220-54221, 54223 |
| Area code | 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-48500 |
| Interstates |  |
| U.S. Routes |   |
| Public Transit | Maritime Metro Transit |
| Website | www |
Manitowoc (/ˈmænɪtəwɒk/ ⓘMAN-it-ə-wok) is a city inManitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States, and itscounty seat.[6] It is located onLake Michigan at the mouth of theManitowoc River. According to the 2020 census, Manitowoc had a population of 34,626.[5]
Purported to meandwelling of thegreat spirit, Manitowoc derived its name from either theOjibwe wordmanidoowaak(wag), meaning spirit-spawn(s), ormanidoowaak(oog), meaning spirit-wood(s), ormanidoowak(iin), meaning spirit-land(s).[7] In theMenominee language, it is calledManetōwak, which means "place of the spirits".[8] TheMenominee ceded this land to the United States in the 1836Treaty of the Cedars, following years of negotiations over how to accommodate theOneida,Stockbridge-Munsee, andBrothertown peoples who had beenremoved from New York to Wisconsin.[9][10] In 1838, an act of the Territorial Legislature separatedManitowoc County fromBrown County, keeping the native name for the region.[11][12]
The first Europeans in the area were French fur traders who arrived in 1673. TheNorthwest Fur Company established a trading post in 1795.[13] In 1835, before the transfer of land from the Menominee Nation to the United States, PresidentAndrew Jackson authorized land sales for the region, drawing the interest of land speculators. William Jones and Louis Fizette were the two first recorded buyers on August 3, 1835, with the majority of the land being procured by the Chicago firm Jones, King, & Co. Benjamin Jones, brother of William, took the Wisconsin property as his share and is considered the founder of Manitowoc. Early immigrant groups included Germans, Norwegians, British, Irish, and Canadians.[14]
The first school in Manitowoc was held in the Jones warehouse, with S. M. Peake instructing the twelve children of the community.[15] The first religious organization in the county,St. James' Episcopal Church, first met in 1841.[16] Manitowoc was chartered as a village on March 6, 1851[12] and on March 12, 1870, was incorporated as a city.[12] Manitowoc replaced neighboringManitowoc Rapids as the county seat of Manitowoc County in 1853. The currentManitowoc County Courthouse was built in the city in 1906.[17]
In 1847, Joseph Edwards built the firstschooner in the area, theCitizen, a modest precursor to theshipbuilding industry that produced schooners and clippers used for fishing and trading in theGreat Lakes and beyond theSt. Lawrence River.[18] In addition,landing craft,tankers andsubmarines became the local contributions to U.S. efforts inWorld War II.
On September 5, 1962, a 20-pound (9.1 kg) piece of the seven-tonSputnik 4 crashed on North 8th Street. Sputnik 4 was aUSSR satellite, part of theSputnik program and a test-flight of theVostok spacecraft that would be used for the firsthuman spaceflight. It was launched on May 15, 1960.
A bug in the guidance system had pointed the capsule in the wrong direction, so instead of dropping into the atmosphere the satellite moved into a higher orbit. It re-entered the atmosphere on or about September 5, 1962.[19][20] A cast was made from the original piece before the Soviets claimed it, and the cast was displayed at theRahr West Art Museum.[21] A customer in a nearby art gallery jokingly suggested that the city should hold a festival to celebrate the crash.[20] The city held the first Sputnikfest in 2008, which was organized by the head of both museums.[20]
Manitowoc was historically asundown town that prohibited African Americans from staying overnight. In 1968, the policy forced a visitingGwendolyn Brooks to stay atHoly Family College, just outside of Manitowoc, after a poetry reading.[22]
Manitowoc is home to theWisconsin Maritime Museum, and is one endpoint of the ferry route of theSSBadger, which connectsU.S. Route 10 toLudington, Michigan.
Since the late 1990s, several new shopping centers have opened in the city, mostly on the southwest side of the city alongInterstate 43, including the new Harbor Town Center shopping complex. The downtown area has also seen a resurgence,[when?] with several new restaurants opening, and the recent announcement of new $100,000+ condominiums on the Manitowoc River, along with a completion of the riverwalk trail.[citation needed]
In December 2022, Manitowoc was designated Wisconsin'sWorld War II Heritage City by the USNational Park Service.[23] In early 2023, an 87-unit apartment building south of the Manitowoc River was completed.[24][page needed] Also in 2023, Mayor Justin Nickels stated he planned to continue adding amenities along the river.[25] The bulk of the redevelopment in the city has been undertaken by the public/private partnership the Manitowoc County Economic Development Corporation.[citation needed]
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According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.99 square miles (46.59 km2), of which 17.63 square miles (45.66 km2) is land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2) is water.[26]
The city is located at44°5′47″N87°40′30″W / 44.09639°N 87.67500°W /44.09639; -87.67500, on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River.
The nearest other cities areGreen Bay, 34 miles (55 km) away,Sheboygan 24 miles (39 km) away,Appleton 39 miles (63 km) away, andMilwaukee 74 miles (119 km) away. Together withTwo Rivers and the surroundingtowns, the Manitowocmicropolitan area was, according to the 2000 census, home to 52,197 people. The city forms the core of theUnited States Census Bureau's ManitowocMicropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Manitowoc County (2000 population: 82,887).[citation needed]
Alverno is a formerly unincorporated community located in the western parts of the city. Located slightly northwest of the I-43 Technology & Enterprise Business Park, the community contained some homes, a banquet place, and a railroad crossing on the northern side. The community is also the eastern terminus of a short county highway (County Road CS) at the intersection of Alverno Road and Custer Street.[27]
Kellners Corners is also a formerly unincorporated community on the northwest side of the city at the intersection of Rapids Road (County Road R) and Menasha Avenue. This portion of Manitowoc is more residential with some businesses. Rapids Road was also the old alignment ofUS Highway 141 in Manitowoc until the completion of I-43 resulted in the portion of the old highway turned over to the county.[28][29]
Manitowoc has ahumid continental climate. Lake Michigan has a moderating effect on its climate compared to regions more inland, making it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than most nearby cities. Manitowoc has a yearly average high of 52 °F (11 °C) and a yearly average low of 38.5 °F (4 °C). Manitowoc also has an extreme high and extreme low of 105 °F (41 °C) and −27 °F (−33 °C), respectively. The city receives an average of 31.17 in (792 mm) of precipitation every year, in the form of rain and snow, with rain being more prevalent in months April–November, and snow being more prevalent in months December–March. Precipitation is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, with the wettest month being August, with 3.58 in (91 mm) of precipitation, and the driest month being February, with 1.38 in (35 mm) of precipitation.
| Climate data for Manitowoc, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 59 (15) | 59 (15) | 79 (26) | 90 (32) | 95 (35) | 103 (39) | 105 (41) | 100 (38) | 97 (36) | 89 (32) | 76 (24) | 64 (18) | 105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26.5 (−3.1) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 38.5 (3.6) | 50.0 (10.0) | 61.5 (16.4) | 71.6 (22.0) | 76.9 (24.9) | 75.7 (24.3) | 68.6 (20.3) | 56.0 (13.3) | 43.0 (6.1) | 31.8 (−0.1) | 52.5 (11.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 19.9 (−6.7) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 42.2 (5.7) | 52.8 (11.6) | 63.0 (17.2) | 68.6 (20.3) | 68.0 (20.0) | 60.8 (16.0) | 49.0 (9.4) | 36.7 (2.6) | 25.8 (−3.4) | 45.1 (7.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.4 (−10.3) | 15.8 (−9.0) | 24.6 (−4.1) | 34.4 (1.3) | 44.2 (6.8) | 54.3 (12.4) | 60.3 (15.7) | 60.3 (15.7) | 53.1 (11.7) | 42.0 (5.6) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 19.8 (−6.8) | 37.7 (3.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (−33) | −29 (−34) | −18 (−28) | 3 (−16) | 21 (−6) | 30 (−1) | 37 (3) | 38 (3) | 26 (−3) | 14 (−10) | −7 (−22) | −21 (−29) | −29 (−34) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.78 (45) | 1.24 (31) | 1.75 (44) | 3.29 (84) | 3.44 (87) | 4.05 (103) | 3.50 (89) | 3.44 (87) | 2.42 (61) | 2.91 (74) | 1.98 (50) | 1.65 (42) | 31.45 (799) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.8 (20) | 10.0 (25) | 3.2 (8.1) | 1.4 (3.6) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.9 (2.3) | 11.1 (28) | 34.6 (88) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.3 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 10.2 | 9.8 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 7.2 | 104.1 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 3.7 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 15.5 |
| Source:NOAA[30][31] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 3,059 | — | |
| 1870 | 5,168 | 68.9% | |
| 1880 | 6,367 | 23.2% | |
| 1890 | 7,710 | 21.1% | |
| 1900 | 11,786 | 52.9% | |
| 1910 | 13,027 | 10.5% | |
| 1920 | 17,563 | 34.8% | |
| 1930 | 22,963 | 30.7% | |
| 1940 | 24,404 | 6.3% | |
| 1950 | 27,598 | 13.1% | |
| 1960 | 32,275 | 16.9% | |
| 1970 | 33,430 | 3.6% | |
| 1980 | 32,547 | −2.6% | |
| 1990 | 32,520 | −0.1% | |
| 2000 | 34,053 | 4.7% | |
| 2010 | 33,736 | −0.9% | |
| 2020 | 34,626 | 2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[32]2020[5] | |||
As of thecensus of 2020,[33] the population was 34,626. Thepopulation density was 1,947.4 inhabitants per square mile (751.9/km2). There were 16,277 housing units at an average density of 915.4 per square mile (353.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.9%White, 5.0%Asian, 2.4%Black orAfrican American, 0.7%Native American, 2.6% fromother races, and 6.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 7.2%Hispanic orLatino of any race.
As of the census[34] of 2010, there were 33,736 people, 14,623 households, and 8,600 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,913.6 inhabitants per square mile (738.8/km2). There were 15,955 housing units at an average density of 905.0 per square mile (349.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.9%White, 1.0%African American, 0.6%Native American, 4.6%Asian, 2.1% fromother races, and 1.9% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 5.0% of the population.
There were 14,623 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 41.7 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
As of the census[35] of 2000, there were 34,053 people, 14,235 households, and 8,811 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,018.8 people per square mile (779.4/km2). There were 15,007 housing units at an average density of 889.7 per square mile (343.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.13%White, 0.59%Black orAfrican American, 0.55%Native American, 3.77%Asian, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 0.90% fromother races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population wereHispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,235 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.5% 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 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,203, and the median income for a family was $47,635. Males had a median income of $35,176 versus $22,918 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,954. About 5.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
The city government consists of a mayor and a city council, with ten members elected from single member districts. The current mayor is Justin Nickels.[36]
The Manitowoc area is served by two main medical groups:
Manitowoc public schools are administered by theManitowoc Public School District. High schools within the city include:
The city has two colleges and universities within its limits: theUniversity of Wisconsin–Manitowoc andLakeshore Technical College.Holy Family College closed in 2020.
Manitowoc is part of theGreen Bay television market, although it is common for residents to receive stations over-the-air fromMilwaukee, and across the lake from theGrand Rapids andTraverse City/Cadillac markets. No television stations originate from Manitowoc, and the only full-time presence of Green Bay stations in the city are remote-operated weather cameras andWFRV-TV featuring someHerald Times Reporter content in newscasts as part of a promotional agreement with Gannett's northeastern Wisconsin newspapers.
Comcast holds the city's cable franchise, inherited from the company's earlier purchase ofJones Intercable, and the city has the only presence of Comcast orXfinity in the state of Wisconsin.[40]
Manitowoc is classed as part ofNielsen Audio's Sheboygan/Manitowoc radio market and combined with Two Rivers, and stations from both Sheboygan and Green Bay are easily heard in the area. Since 2017, Seehafer Broadcasting has owned all six commercial radio stations broadcasting towards and licensed to Manitowoc and Two Rivers (several other stations are licensed to Manitowoc County communities, but they all instead targetGreen Bay and theFox Cities).
Phil Coulson of theMarvel Cinematic Universe stated he was born here in thethirteenth episode of thesecond season of the television showAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Paige Morgan in the movieThe Prince & Me is from Manitowoc.
TheFranciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have their mother house in Manitowoc.
In 2005 theRoman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay merged several Catholic parishes in the city into one parish, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with a four-man pastoral team led by Father Dan Felton. In 2005, theHerald Times Reporter reported that the city has roughly 22,000 Roman Catholics.
TheWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a significant Christian synod in the city with four large churches andManitowoc Lutheran High School. Two additional Wisconsin Synod churches are outside the city limits, with a Manitowoc address.
St. James' is an historic Episcopal church in the city.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a meetinghouse in Manitowoc.[41]
Public transportation in the city been provided byMaritime Metro Transit since 1978, covering both Manitowoc andTwo Rivers, Wisconsin. MMT currently has a fleet of 12 buses serving over 40 stops on eight routes.
Manitowoc is the western port for theS.S.Badger ferry, that crosses Lake Michigan toLudington, Michigan. The ferry ride is part of the route ofU.S. Route 10.
TheManitowoc Mariners Trail is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) paved recreational trail running along the shore of Lake Michigan between the cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
I-43 northbound connects toGreen Bay and southbound connects toSheboygan,Milwaukee, andBeloit.
US 10 travels east across Lake Michigan via theSSBadger toLudington, Michigan, and west toAppleton.
US 151 southbound connects toChilton andFond Du Lac.
WIS 42 travels southward toHowards Grove andSheboygan and northward toSturgeon Bay,Two Rivers andKewaunee.Manitowoc County Airport (KMTW) serves the city and surrounding communities.
Manitowoc has onesister city:[60]
Kamogawa, JapanAs an African-American, Brooks was not allowed to stay overnight in Manitowoc, a 'sundown town,' after she gave a poetry reading in the city on May 9, 1968.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Adjacent communities to Manitowoc, Wisconsin | |
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Municipalities and communities ofManitowoc County, Wisconsin,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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