Darlington, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Darlington is a city
in and the county seat
of Lafayette County
in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The population was 2,451 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by the Town of Darlington
.
The first store was built in 1848. Two more were started in 1851, a millinery shop run by Miss Graham and a store run by Mr. Driver. The first hardware store was opened in 1852 by the Willett Brothers, and the first drug store was opened by J. Collins and Dr. Blair, who was the first resident physician in the city. The first school was opened in the winter of 1850, with 15 students. The first religious services were held some time in 1851 in the barn of Jamison Hamilton. The Mineral Point Railroad reached the town in the fall of 1856, and the citizens were very pleased that their dream of expanding their “village” was finally coming true.
In 1857, the county seat was moved from Shullsburg
to Darlington, and the courthouse was built using county funds. The courthouse was also moved to Darlington in 1861, and in 1869 the town of Centre became known as Darlington. The name was changed because Joshua Darling purchased the land in 1850 with the help of J.M. Keep and J.B. Lynde. The survey of the original streets and blocks of the community took place in June 1850 by Josiah Richardson and H. H. Gray, assisted by an Indian named January.
The streets of the town were named after the wives of the planners and prominent men of the town, such as Minerva, Mary, Harriet, Lucy, Louisa, and Cornelia. “Minerva was the wife of James G. Knight, the first president of the village, and Mary was the wife of Josepheus Driver, one of the first businessmen of Darlington. Harriet was the wife of Hamilton Gray, and Lucy was the wife of William K. Jackman. Louisa was the wife of Isaah Stockwell, and Cornelia was the wife of James M. Keep, one of the original founders of the community”. He also aided Joshua Darling in the purchase of the land.
The Parson Brothers, Joe and Alfred E. "Butch" Parson, from Darlington were also interested in the circus. Joe Parson, the older of the two, worked in a lumber camp in the winter months in the 1870s. It was said that he bought a bison that he saw grazing in a field one spring when he was returning from the lumber camp. He made a deal with the farmer that owned it, and Joe gave the farmer his horse in exchange for the bison. Joe started showing his bison at carnivals and festivals, and he purchased a few more animals to form a show he called "The Great Palace Show". Alfred Ringling, or Al, worked in the Parson Brother’s show as a ropewalker in 1881 and most likely 1882. He also worked in Parson’s “Great Grecian Show” in 1883.
When the Ringling Brothers (Alfred T., John, Charles, and Otto) were planning their own circus, they invited the Parson Brothers to join them in 1884. The Ringlings had their own band, with Al playing the bass drum, John the cornet, and Charles and Otto the trombone and tuba. John was the leader of their band. The Parsons joined the Ringlings in 1887. Joe Parson did horseback-riding stunts and also performed on the high wire. Butch Parson ran the concession wagon, selling items such as pink lemonade, peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, cigars, and paper fans. Butch managed the stand and paid a monthly sum to the Ringlings, hired his own help. The Ringlings stored and took care of his concession wagon for him.
Both sets of brothers worked well with each other for a time until the Ringling Brothers felt that the Parson Brothers were making more than them with the concession wagon. In 1906, the Parsons cleared around $30,000, for a 44% profit. The Ringlings wanted to run the concessions by themselves so they could clear more of a profit. Through a series of letters, Otto Ringling tried to sever the ties to the Parsons in December 1907. At first, the letters were formal, requesting that the Parsons allow the Ringlings to run the stand. By November 1908, Otto Ringling wrote to Butch Parson completely ending the relationship between the two families. In the letter, he said that the Ringlings could no longer store the concession wagon because of lack of space. Although their relationship with the Ringlings ended, the Parsons had become very wealthy from the concession wagon.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.5 km2), all land.
of 2000, there were 2,418 people, 985 households, and 639 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,852.8 people per square mile (712.7/km2). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 806.1 per square mile (310.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.13% White, 0.04% Black or African American
, 0.04% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.29% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 985 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% 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 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,539, and the median income for a family was $44,048. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $22,033 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,403. About 5.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Darlington High School contains grades 9 through 12. In 2006-2007 there were 280 students with about 23 full-time teachers, and a student-teacher ratio of about 13 students per teacher. The school mascot is the Redbird.
Darlington Elementary-Middle School serves children in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. In 2006-2007, there were 521 students and 42 full-time teachers, with a student-teacher ratio of about 13 students to every teacher.
. The community is known as the “Pearl of the Pecatonica” because the Pecatonica River
flows through the town, and people used to harvest the clams out of the river to make pearl button blanks.
The Pecatonica River Trails Park is a city-maintained campground with 24 sites of river-front camping. There is also a paved walking/biking trail that follows the River through town. Many people also canoe and fish in the Pecatonica River
. Darlington has a public swimming pool that is open everyday from June until August. Riverside Park has a softball field, basketball court, and playground, and Black Bridge Park has sand volleyball courts, soccer field, and flag football field. The community has a Veterans Memorial Park and Festival Grounds.
Darlington is near Yellowstone Lake State Park
, where there is swimming, camping, fishing, and boating. The Darlington Golf & Country Club has a nine-hole golf course. The Cheese Country Recreational Trail
, which is over 50 miles long, can be used by ATV riders. It passes through Monroe
Belmont
, and Mineral Point
.
During the summer, there are Friday night stock car races, and a county fair. Darlington hosts the annual Canoe Fest in June, where there are canoe races, live music, a carnival, and a parade. The Lafayette County Fair is in July and has displays of livestock, a midway, a carnival, and a concert. Pecatonica Valley Antique Days are held in September, and the Holiday Open Houses are in November. There is an annual Holiday Parade the first Saturday in December.
Unable to make bail, McDonald remained locked in the Lafayette County jail until his trial began three months later in Milwaukee. Initially, McDonald pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but changed his plea to not guilty and argued self-defense in court. A Milwaukee jury refused to believe McDonald and he was found guilty of first-degree murder. McDonald was sent to the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupan, a hostile facility where McDonald had sent many a criminal over the years. The switch from judge's robes to prison blues didn't sit well with McDonald, and on 10 March 1986 he died of as a result of a drug overdose.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Lafayette County
Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Lafayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 16,137. Its county seat is Darlington.-Geography:According to the U.S...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population was 2,451 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by the Town of Darlington
Darlington (town), Wisconsin
Darlington is a town in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 757 at the 2000 census. The City of Darlington is located within the town...
.
History
The first white man’s residence within the city limits of Darlington was a log house owned by Jamison Hamilton in 1836. He laid out the village of Avon, or Centre, in 1847. Darlington was first organized in 1849, but was known for a long time as the town of Centre. The first town meeting was held on April 3, 1849, with 82 votes being cast.The first store was built in 1848. Two more were started in 1851, a millinery shop run by Miss Graham and a store run by Mr. Driver. The first hardware store was opened in 1852 by the Willett Brothers, and the first drug store was opened by J. Collins and Dr. Blair, who was the first resident physician in the city. The first school was opened in the winter of 1850, with 15 students. The first religious services were held some time in 1851 in the barn of Jamison Hamilton. The Mineral Point Railroad reached the town in the fall of 1856, and the citizens were very pleased that their dream of expanding their “village” was finally coming true.
In 1857, the county seat was moved from Shullsburg
Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Shullsburg is a city in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,246 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Shullsburg.-Geography:...
to Darlington, and the courthouse was built using county funds. The courthouse was also moved to Darlington in 1861, and in 1869 the town of Centre became known as Darlington. The name was changed because Joshua Darling purchased the land in 1850 with the help of J.M. Keep and J.B. Lynde. The survey of the original streets and blocks of the community took place in June 1850 by Josiah Richardson and H. H. Gray, assisted by an Indian named January.
The streets of the town were named after the wives of the planners and prominent men of the town, such as Minerva, Mary, Harriet, Lucy, Louisa, and Cornelia. “Minerva was the wife of James G. Knight, the first president of the village, and Mary was the wife of Josepheus Driver, one of the first businessmen of Darlington. Harriet was the wife of Hamilton Gray, and Lucy was the wife of William K. Jackman. Louisa was the wife of Isaah Stockwell, and Cornelia was the wife of James M. Keep, one of the original founders of the community”. He also aided Joshua Darling in the purchase of the land.
The Ringling Brothers Circus and Darlington
Alfred T. Ringling established himself in Darlington, Wisconsin at the age of 20, working as a harness maker in his own shop. He gave little shows for the students in schools and citizens of Darlington and the surrounding towns, with an act that included having four strong farmers lift up a plow, with Alfred lying beneath it. They positioned the plow so Alfred could balance it on his chin. It was a major crowd pleaser.The Parson Brothers, Joe and Alfred E. "Butch" Parson, from Darlington were also interested in the circus. Joe Parson, the older of the two, worked in a lumber camp in the winter months in the 1870s. It was said that he bought a bison that he saw grazing in a field one spring when he was returning from the lumber camp. He made a deal with the farmer that owned it, and Joe gave the farmer his horse in exchange for the bison. Joe started showing his bison at carnivals and festivals, and he purchased a few more animals to form a show he called "The Great Palace Show". Alfred Ringling, or Al, worked in the Parson Brother’s show as a ropewalker in 1881 and most likely 1882. He also worked in Parson’s “Great Grecian Show” in 1883.
When the Ringling Brothers (Alfred T., John, Charles, and Otto) were planning their own circus, they invited the Parson Brothers to join them in 1884. The Ringlings had their own band, with Al playing the bass drum, John the cornet, and Charles and Otto the trombone and tuba. John was the leader of their band. The Parsons joined the Ringlings in 1887. Joe Parson did horseback-riding stunts and also performed on the high wire. Butch Parson ran the concession wagon, selling items such as pink lemonade, peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, cigars, and paper fans. Butch managed the stand and paid a monthly sum to the Ringlings, hired his own help. The Ringlings stored and took care of his concession wagon for him.
Both sets of brothers worked well with each other for a time until the Ringling Brothers felt that the Parson Brothers were making more than them with the concession wagon. In 1906, the Parsons cleared around $30,000, for a 44% profit. The Ringlings wanted to run the concessions by themselves so they could clear more of a profit. Through a series of letters, Otto Ringling tried to sever the ties to the Parsons in December 1907. At first, the letters were formal, requesting that the Parsons allow the Ringlings to run the stand. By November 1908, Otto Ringling wrote to Butch Parson completely ending the relationship between the two families. In the letter, he said that the Ringlings could no longer store the concession wagon because of lack of space. Although their relationship with the Ringlings ended, the Parsons had become very wealthy from the concession wagon.
Geography
Darlington is located at 42.681335°N 90.115873°W (42.681335, -90.115873).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 1.3 square miles (3.5 km2), all land.
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 2,418 people, 985 households, and 639 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 1,852.8 people per square mile (712.7/km2). There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 806.1 per square mile (310.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.13% White, 0.04% 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...
, 0.04% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.25% 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 0.29% from two or more races. 1.12% 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 985 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% 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, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% 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 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,539, and the median income for a family was $44,048. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $22,033 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 $17,403. About 5.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Darlington is served by the Darlington Community Schools district.Darlington High School contains grades 9 through 12. In 2006-2007 there were 280 students with about 23 full-time teachers, and a student-teacher ratio of about 13 students per teacher. The school mascot is the Redbird.
Darlington Elementary-Middle School serves children in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. In 2006-2007, there were 521 students and 42 full-time teachers, with a student-teacher ratio of about 13 students to every teacher.
Attractions
Darlington's historic Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The community is known as the “Pearl of the Pecatonica” because the Pecatonica River
Pecatonica River
The Pecatonica River is a tributary of the Rock River, long, in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in the United States.The word Pecatonica is an anglicization of two Algonquian language words: Bekaa , which means "slow", and niba, which means "water", forming the conjunction Bekaaniba or...
flows through the town, and people used to harvest the clams out of the river to make pearl button blanks.
The Pecatonica River Trails Park is a city-maintained campground with 24 sites of river-front camping. There is also a paved walking/biking trail that follows the River through town. Many people also canoe and fish in the Pecatonica River
Pecatonica River
The Pecatonica River is a tributary of the Rock River, long, in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in the United States.The word Pecatonica is an anglicization of two Algonquian language words: Bekaa , which means "slow", and niba, which means "water", forming the conjunction Bekaaniba or...
. Darlington has a public swimming pool that is open everyday from June until August. Riverside Park has a softball field, basketball court, and playground, and Black Bridge Park has sand volleyball courts, soccer field, and flag football field. The community has a Veterans Memorial Park and Festival Grounds.
Darlington is near Yellowstone Lake State Park
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Yellowstone Lake State Park is a Wisconsin state park. The Yellowstone Lake is a reservoir on a tributary of the Pecatonica River. The state park is included in the Yellowstone Lake State Wildlife Area....
, where there is swimming, camping, fishing, and boating. The Darlington Golf & Country Club has a nine-hole golf course. The Cheese Country Recreational Trail
Cheese Country Trail
The Cheese County Trail is a multi-use rail trail in south central Wisconsin.The trail stretches from Monroe to Mineral Point, connecting Browntown, South Wayne, Gratiot, Darlington, and Calamine. The trail is used with ATVs, bicycles, horses, snowmobiles, and hikers.-External links:*...
, which is over 50 miles long, can be used by ATV riders. It passes through Monroe
Monroe, Wisconsin
Monroe, known as "the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA", is a city in and the county seat of Green County, Wisconsin, United States. The population, was 10,843 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Monroe and partially in the Town of Clarno.-Geography:Monroe is located...
Belmont
Belmont, Wisconsin
Belmont is a village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 871 according to the 2000 census.-History:Founded in 1835 by land speculator John Atchison, Belmont was the original capital of the Wisconsin Territory, and the original territorial capitol building is preserved...
, and Mineral Point
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Mineral Point is a city in Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,617 at the 2000 census. In 2008 the city's population had taken a decline and is currently only 2,462, but still the second most populous community in Iowa County...
.
During the summer, there are Friday night stock car races, and a county fair. Darlington hosts the annual Canoe Fest in June, where there are canoe races, live music, a carnival, and a parade. The Lafayette County Fair is in July and has displays of livestock, a midway, a carnival, and a concert. Pecatonica Valley Antique Days are held in September, and the Holiday Open Houses are in November. There is an annual Holiday Parade the first Saturday in December.
Notable people
- Darlington was the home of Sylvan MuldoonSylvan MuldoonSylvan Muldoon was an American writer on the subject of Astral projection, a paranormal or occult term which usually refers to a consciously induced out-of-body experience or OBE....
(February, 1903-October,1969), author of Projection of the Astral Body, and other works on psychic phenomena. In the preface to his 1936 The Case for Astral Projection, Muldoon invited his readers to write to him with information on cases of astral projectionAstral projectionAstral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
(now called out-of-body experienceOut-of-body experienceAn out-of-body experience is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body ....
s or OOBEs): "In this connection, any communication will reach me at my home address: Darlington, Wisconsin" (p. 10). - U.S. Representative John MorrowJohn Morrow (New Mexico)John Morrow was a United States Representative from New Mexico. He was born near Darlington, Wisconsin. He attended the public schools and the normal university. Later, he taught school in Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, and New Mexico. He was the superintendent of public schools of Colfax County, New...
(DDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
) was born near Darlington. - MLB player Charlie DoughertyCharlie DoughertyCharles William Dougherty was a major league baseball player for Altoona Mountain City in 1884. He was their second baseman, and he hit a .259 batting average.-Sources:...
was born in Darlington. - U.S. Army General Francis Marshall lived in Darlington.
- Screenwriter Dan FitzsimonsDan FitzsimonsDan Fitzsimons is an American screenwriter who has written a miniseries and two television movies. He wrote the upcoming miniseries Blackout and the TV movie Desolation Canyon...
was born in Darlington. - Author and journalist Penelope TrunkPenelope TrunkPenelope Trunk is an American writer and blogger who examines the life of people in their 20s and their interaction between work and life. Her blog has appeared in the Boston Globe and Yahoo! Finance. Trunk claims her blog has appeared in more than 200 publications...
documents life in the town in media outlets such as CNN, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times. - U.S. Representative Henry S. MagoonHenry S. MagoonHenry Sterling Magoon was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born in Monticello, Magoon attended the Rock River Seminary, Mount Morris, Illinois, and was graduated from the Western Military College, Drennon, Kentucky, in 1853.He studied law in the Montrose Law School, Frankfort, Kentucky.He was...
kept a summer home and died in Darlington. - State Senator Harry C. MartinHarry C. MartinHarry C. Martin was a politician in Wisconsin.-Career:Martin was Mayor of Darlington, Wisconsin from 1887 to 1889. After serving as District Attorney of Lafayette County and as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, Martin was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1899 to 1914...
was born near Darlington and served as Mayor. - U.S. Representative James G. MonahanJames G. MonahanJames Gideon Monahan was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born at Willow Springs, near Darlington, Wisconsin, Monahan attended the common schools and was graduated from the Darlington High School in 1875....
was born near Darlington. - Lafayette County WI Judge Daniel McDonald. Featured in A&E TV's program "City Confidential" - Episode #113. In April 1985, Judge McDonald lost his bid for re-election, defeated by Darlington's long-time city attorney, Bill Johnston. After the election, McDonald began following Johnston around town. On 22 June 1985, two months before Johnston was to be sworn in, the soon to be ex-judge visited his rival's law office. Johnston wasn't there, but his young partner James Klein was. Klein and McDonald argued. The argument turned into a fight and Klein was stabbed in the chest. He died on the spot. McDonald fled the scene, but was captured later that same day. His initial arraignment hearing took place in the very courtroom that McDonald had presided over for years.
Unable to make bail, McDonald remained locked in the Lafayette County jail until his trial began three months later in Milwaukee. Initially, McDonald pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but changed his plea to not guilty and argued self-defense in court. A Milwaukee jury refused to believe McDonald and he was found guilty of first-degree murder. McDonald was sent to the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupan, a hostile facility where McDonald had sent many a criminal over the years. The switch from judge's robes to prison blues didn't sit well with McDonald, and on 10 March 1986 he died of as a result of a drug overdose.