Watertown, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Main Street in downtown Watertown | |
 Location of Watertown in Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin | |
  Watertown  Watertown | |
| Coordinates:43°12′N88°43′W / 43.200°N 88.717°W /43.200; -88.717 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| Counties | Jefferson,Dodge |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor/Council |
| • General | Robert Stocks[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.46 sq mi (32.28 km2) |
| • Land | 12.07 sq mi (31.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.40 sq mi (1.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 853 ft (260 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 22,926 |
| • Density | 1,946.2/sq mi (751.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Postal codes | 53094, 53098 |
| Area code | 920 |
| FIPS code | 55-83975[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1576295[3] |
| Website | www.ci.watertown.wi.us |
Watertown is a city inJefferson andDodge counties in theU.S. state ofWisconsin. The population was 22,926 at the2020 census, of which 14,674 were in Jefferson County and 8,252 were in Dodge County.[6] Division Street, several blocks north of downtown, marks the county line. Watertown is a principal city of the Watertown–Fort Atkinsonmicropolitan statistical area which is in turn a sub-market of the largerMilwaukee–Waukesha–Racine combined statistical area.
Watertown was first settled by Timothy Johnson, who built a cabin on the west side of theRock River in 1836. He was born in Middleton,Middlesex County, Connecticut, on June 28, 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 forsawmills, and later prompted the construction of twohydroelectric dams, one downtown (where the river flows south) and one on the eastern edge of the city (where the river flows north).
Watertown's founders were settlers fromNew England, part of a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the wilds of theNorthwest Territory during the early 1800s. Most of them arrived as a result of the completion of theErie Canal as well as the end of theBlack Hawk War. When settlers arrived in what is now Jefferson there was nothing but densevirgin forest and wild prairie. They built farms, roads, and government buildings and established post routes. They brought many of theirYankee values, such as a passion for education, establishing many schools as well as staunch support forabolitionism. They were mostly members of theCongregationalist Church though some wereEpiscopalian. Due to thesecond Great Awakening some had converted toMethodism and others had becomeBaptists before moving to Watertown. Like much of Wisconsin, Watertown would be culturally very continuous with 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. 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 population of Watertown. 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]
Acanal fromMilwaukee 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 theGreat Lakes and theMississippi River, but even if completed, it may not have seen much success because railroads had already become the preferred mode of transportation.
In 1853, aplank 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 byMiller Brewing Company in Milwaukee.
There was an influx ofGerman immigrants in the late 19th century. The city is the home of thefirst kindergarten in the United States, started in 1856 byMargarethe Schurz, wife of statesmanCarl Schurz; the building that housed this kindergarten is now located on the grounds of theOctagon House Museum in Watertown.
Growth of the city was substantially hampered when Watertown issued almost half a million dollars inbonds 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 toMadison, was completed in 1855, only the second line in the state.[19]
Soon after, in thePanic 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 theSupreme 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]
Watertown is located in southeastern Wisconsin, approximately midway betweenMadison andMilwaukee, at 43°12'N 88°43'W (43.193, −88.724).[21] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.46 square miles (32.27 km2), of which, 12.06 square miles (31.24 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.
TheRock River flows through Watertown in a horseshoe bend before heading south and west on its way to theMississippi 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 ofdrumlins, long hills formed by theglaciers of theWisconsin glaciation as they retreated northwards. Hills in the area are elongated in the north-south direction.
| Climate data for Watertown, 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) | 60 (16) | 70 (21) | 82 (28) | 91 (33) | 97 (36) | 101 (38) | 104 (40) | 103 (39) | 100 (38) | 89 (32) | 76 (24) | 66 (19) | 104 (40) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26.4 (−3.1) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 42.2 (5.7) | 55.6 (13.1) | 67.8 (19.9) | 77.7 (25.4) | 81.3 (27.4) | 79.5 (26.4) | 72.8 (22.7) | 59.6 (15.3) | 44.6 (7.0) | 32.0 (0.0) | 55.8 (13.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 18.4 (−7.6) | 21.8 (−5.7) | 33.1 (0.6) | 45.4 (7.4) | 57.3 (14.1) | 67.4 (19.7) | 71.2 (21.8) | 69.3 (20.7) | 61.8 (16.6) | 49.6 (9.8) | 36.2 (2.3) | 24.7 (−4.1) | 46.4 (8.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10.5 (−11.9) | 13.3 (−10.4) | 24.0 (−4.4) | 35.1 (1.7) | 46.9 (8.3) | 57.1 (13.9) | 61.1 (16.2) | 59.0 (15.0) | 50.8 (10.4) | 39.5 (4.2) | 27.9 (−2.3) | 17.3 (−8.2) | 36.9 (2.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −31 (−35) | −33 (−36) | −23 (−31) | 10 (−12) | 22 (−6) | 30 (−1) | 41 (5) | 34 (1) | 20 (−7) | 7 (−14) | −12 (−24) | −27 (−33) | −33 (−36) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.37 (35) | 1.35 (34) | 1.90 (48) | 3.67 (93) | 4.19 (106) | 5.80 (147) | 4.50 (114) | 4.11 (104) | 3.47 (88) | 3.00 (76) | 2.14 (54) | 1.75 (44) | 37.25 (946) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 11.0 (28) | 9.7 (25) | 4.4 (11) | 1.6 (4.1) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 1.4 (3.6) | 8.5 (22) | 37.0 (94) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.4 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 11.9 | 13.3 | 11.9 | 11.0 | 10.2 | 10.0 | 10.9 | 9.1 | 9.7 | 122.5 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 7.1 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 6.2 | 26.0 |
| Source:NOAA[23][24] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,451 | — | |
| 1860 | 5,302 | 265.4% | |
| 1870 | 7,550 | 42.4% | |
| 1880 | 7,883 | 4.4% | |
| 1890 | 8,755 | 11.1% | |
| 1900 | 8,437 | −3.6% | |
| 1910 | 8,829 | 4.6% | |
| 1920 | 9,299 | 5.3% | |
| 1930 | 10,613 | 14.1% | |
| 1940 | 11,301 | 6.5% | |
| 1950 | 12,417 | 9.9% | |
| 1960 | 13,943 | 12.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,683 | 12.5% | |
| 1980 | 18,113 | 15.5% | |
| 1990 | 19,142 | 5.7% | |
| 2000 | 21,598 | 12.8% | |
| 2010 | 23,861 | 10.5% | |
| 2020 | 22,926 | −3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[25] | |||
As of thecensus of 2020,[26] the population was 22,926. Thepopulation density was 1,900.4 inhabitants per square mile (733.7/km2). There were 9,826 housing units at an average density of 814.5 per square mile (314.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.9%White, 1.2%Black orAfrican American, 0.8%Asian, 0.4%Native American, 3.5% fromother races, and 6.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 9.6%Hispanic orLatino of any race.
As of thecensus[4] of 2010, there were 23,861 people, 9,187 households, and 6,006 families living in the city. Thepopulation 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% fromother races, and 1.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people 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% weremarried 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.
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% fromother races, and 1.13% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people 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.
Watertown is in theWatertown 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.
Sixparochial schools serve elementary and middle school students in Watertown, four Lutheran and two Catholic.Luther Preparatory School, a school affiliated with theWisconsin 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 theMadison Area Technical College is also on the west side.
Watertown's major employers are the school district, Watertown Regional Medical Center, CQC, several light industries, food processing, metals, electronics, and regional distribution companies.[27]
Rail & Transload, Inc., formerly known as Specialty Ingredients, is atransloading facility andterminal railroad located in Watertown that operates approximately 1,100 feet (0.21 mi) of track. The operations occur mostly within a smallrail yard directly connected to the Canadian Pacific mainline. The yard has room for up to 125freight cars, and the inside facility has room for up to five. These are mostlyhoppers andtank cars.[28]
Watertown Municipal Airport (KRYV) provides service for the city and surrounding communities.
Amtrak'sEmpire Builder andBorealis passenger trains pass through, but do not stop in Watertown. The nearest Amtrak train station is inColumbus, Wisconsin. Freight rail service is provided by theCanadian Pacific Railway (CP), theUnion Pacific Railroad (UP), and theWisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR).[29] Plans to extend someHiawatha trains from Milwaukee to Madison include the possibility of adding a stop in Watertown.[30][31]
The city subsidizes a "Watertown Transit" service that provides taxi and small bus "ride sharing" service between requested stops.[32]
Watertown Regional Medical Center is a 95 bed hospital with alevel III trauma center.[33] There are 35.4primary care physicians per 100,000 population in the area.[34] Watertown is designated as amental health Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).[35] By 2035, Watertown is estimated to have a 51.6% deficit in primary care physicians, the sixth largest expected deficit in Wisconsin.[34] There are no behavioral health professionals in Watertown.[34]
The local newspaper, theWatertown Daily Times, dates back to November 23, 1895, when John W. Cruger and E. J. Schoolcraft formed a partnership to publish a daily newspaper.[36] The newspaper currently has 25,000 readers.[36]
The radio stationWMDX (formerly WTTN), AM 1580, was licensed to Watertown[37] but is now licensed to with the transmitter located west ofColumbus, Wisconsin while the studio ultimately moved to Madison where it serves as a news/talk outlet.[38]WJJO 94.1 FM was originally in Watertown, but is now also located in Madison with anactive rock format. Watertown is still well served by radio stations from the Madison, Milwaukee and Janesville markets as well as signals originating from surrounding towns.
Watertown operates a localgovernment-access television (GATV) channel.[39] Programming includes church services from around the area, as well as special programming, sports, and community events.[40]
Watertown is in the Milwaukee television market with stations from Madison also available over the air and on cable.
Places adjacent to Watertown, Wisconsin | |
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Municipalities and communities ofDodge County, Wisconsin,United States | ||
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| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Municipalities and communities ofJefferson County, Wisconsin,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities |
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
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