Boscobel, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Boscobel is a city in Grant County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 3,047 at the 2000 census. Approximately 0.6 mi. (1 km) to the north of the city, across a riparian swamp
, is the Wisconsin River
. U.S. Route 61
crosses the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. To the south, the city is surrounded by the town of Boscobel
. Boscobel is the site of a stop
along the now defunct Wisconsin Western Railroad. It is also the site of the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility
(WSPF), a Wisconsin Department of Corrections
prison for men. Businesses include the historic Central House Hotel, the birthplace of Gideons International
.
Boscobel calls itself the wild turkey hunting capital of Wisconsin. It hosts several living history
and re-enactment
events each year, including large Society for Creative Anachronism
and American Civil War
events in the summer.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which 2.8 square miles (7.4 km²) are land and 0.1 square mile (0.1 km²) (1.72%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,047 people, 1,174 households, and 752 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,068.6 people per square mile (412.8/km²). There were 1,266 housing units at an average density of 444.0 per square mile (171.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.78% White, 3.74% Black or African American
, 0.20% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.18% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,174 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,698, and the median income for a family was $37,527. Males had a median income of $24,806 versus $19,617 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,432. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Grant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,047 at the 2000 census. Approximately 0.6 mi. (1 km) to the north of the city, across a riparian swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
, is the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
. U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
crosses the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. To the south, the city is surrounded by the town of Boscobel
Boscobel (town), Wisconsin
Boscobel is a town in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 433 at the 2000 census. The town surrounds the politically independent city of Boscobel.-Geography:...
. Boscobel is the site of a stop
Train stop
Part of a railway signalling system, a train stop or trip stop is a train protection device that automatically stops a train if it attempts to pass a signal when the signal aspect and operating rules prohibit such movement, or if it attempts to pass at an excessive speed.- Basic operation :The...
along the now defunct Wisconsin Western Railroad. It is also the site of the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility
Wisconsin Secure Program Facility
The Wisconsin Secure Program Facility , originally the Supermax Correctional Institution, is a Wisconsin Department of Corrections prison for men, located in Boscobel, Wisconsin."." Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Retrieved on October 10, 2010...
(WSPF), a Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is an administrative department in the executive branch of the state of Wisconsin responsible for corrections in Wisconsin, including state prisons. As of 2011, the department is administered by Secretary Gary Hamblin. The DOC secretary is appointed by the...
prison for men. Businesses include the historic Central House Hotel, the birthplace of Gideons International
Gideons International
Gideons International is an evangelical Christian organization dedicated to distributing copies of the Bible in over 94 languages and 194 countries of the world, most famously in hotel and motel rooms. The organization was founded in 1899 in Janesville, Wisconsin, as an early American parachurch...
.
Boscobel calls itself the wild turkey hunting capital of Wisconsin. It hosts several living history
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
and re-enactment
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
events each year, including large Society for Creative Anachronism
Society for Creative Anachronism
The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century...
and American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
events in the summer.
Geography
Boscobel is located at 43°8′11"N 90°42′15"W (43.136473, -90.70418), in the Driftless Zone.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²), of which 2.8 square miles (7.4 km²) are land and 0.1 square mile (0.1 km²) (1.72%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,047 people, 1,174 households, and 752 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,068.6 people per square mile (412.8/km²). There were 1,266 housing units at an average density of 444.0 per square mile (171.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.78% White, 3.74% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.18% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 1,174 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,698, and the median income for a family was $37,527. Males had a median income of $24,806 versus $19,617 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,432. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- George BarnettGeorge BarnettMajor General George Barnett was the 12th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was Commandant during the U.S. involvement in World War I. He was born in Lancaster, Wisconsin and grew up in the small town of Boscobel, Wisconsin.-Early career:Barnett entered the U.S...
, 12th Commandant of the Marine Corps, grew up in Boscobel. - Thomas P.M. Barnett, military geostrategist, grew up in Boscobel.
- John J. BlaineJohn J. BlaineJohn James Blaine was the 24th Governor of Wisconsin and a United States Senator. He served as Mayor of Boscobel, on the Grant County Board of Supervisors, Wisconsin Attorney General, and in the Wisconsin State Senate...
, a United States Senator, died and is buried in Boscobel. - Otey ClarkOtey ClarkWilliam Otis Clark was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox in 1945. He was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The 29-year-old rookie stood 6-foot 1-1/2-inches and weighed 190 pounds....
, Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, was born in Boscobel. - Jefferson CoatesJefferson CoatesFrancis Jefferson Coates was a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War and one of 64 men who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Gettysburg.-Biography:...
, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, lived in Boscobel. - James O. DavidsonJames O. DavidsonJames Ole Davidson was the 21st Governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.-Background:Jens Ole Davidson was born in Årdal, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway. He immigrated in 1872 to the United States when he was 18 years old...
, Governor of WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, lived in Boscobel. - DuWayne JohnsrudDuWayne JohnsrudDuWayne Johnsrud is an American Republican politician and farmer from Wisconsin.Born in Boscobel, Wisconsin, Johnsrud was a farmer. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly 1985-2003.-Notes:...
, Wisconsin legislator - Samuel HofSamuel HofSamuel Hof was an officer in the United States Army during World War I. His commands included Frankford Arsenal. Hof would eventually be awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.His award citation reads:...
, Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
recipient, was born in Boscobel. - Bobby G. RiceBobby G. RiceRobert Gene Rice is an American country music singer-songwriter, known professionally as Bobby G. Rice. Between 1970 and 1988, Rice released nine albums and charted thirty songs on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart...
, country music singer - Ora R. RiceOra R. Rice-Biography:Rice was born on September 16, 1885 in Boscobel, Wisconsin. He graduated from Northwestern University Dental School and became a practicing dentist.-Political career:...
, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, was born in Boscobel. - Elaine SzymoniakElaine SzymoniakElaine Eisfelder Szymoniak was a State Senator from the U.S. state of Iowa, a former City Council Member representing the city of Des Moines, Iowa and a retired hearing and speech specialist, counselor, and administrator for the Iowa Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.Szymoniak, an elected...
, former IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
State Senator, was born in Boscobel. - Nathan C. TwiningNathan C. TwiningNathan Crook Twining was a rear admiral of the United States Navy.-Biography:Twining was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin on January 17, 1869. He was appointed a naval cadet in 1885 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy on 7 June 1889...
, United States Admiral, was born in Boscobel.