Luxemburg, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
Kewaunee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 20,187. Its county seat is Kewaunee. Kewaunee County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, 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 1,935 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Green Bay metropolitan area
The Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Wisconsin, anchored by the city of Green Bay...
. The village is located within the town of Luxemburg
Luxemburg (town), Wisconsin
Luxemburg is a town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,402 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Walhain is located in the town...
.
Geography
Luxemburg is located at 44°32′18"N 87°42′17"W (44.538378, -87.704962).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 village has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²).None of the area is covered with 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 1,935 people, 719 households, and 524 families residing in the village. 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 935.7 people per square mile (360.9/km²). There were 754 housing units at an average density of 364.6 per square mile (140.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.86% White, 0.10% 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...
, 0.10% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.26% 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 0.41% from two or more races. 0.47% 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 719 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $50,795. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $23,897 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 village was $17,856. About 2.6% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
Luxemburg was settled in the 1850’s by the Arendt and Colle families on the north end of town and the Kaut and Merens families on the south side. They came from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A few years later the Daul, Peot, and Wahl families arrived from Germany.The railroad passed through Luxemburg, connecting Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
with Sturgeon Bay and Kewaunee on the coastline. The Kewaunee Green Bay and Western Railroad was completed in 1891 bringing growth and new business opportunities to Luxemburg. Edward Decker conceived the idea of bringing a rail line to Kewaunee County. It was through his efforts the Ahnapee and Western Railway
Ahnapee and Western Railway
The Ahnapee and Western Railway was a common carrier short line railroad located in northeastern Wisconsin.The railroad ran from a connection with the Kewaunee, Green Bay and Western Railroad at Casco Junction to the lakeshore terminals of Algoma in Kewaunee County and Sturgeon Bay in the "Door...
was formed. The line passed through wooded areas and “swampers” cleared the brush and felled trees. Any laborer handy with pick and shovel was able to secure work. Hand laborers received from $1.00 to $1.25 for a ten-hour day. A farmer with team and scraper received $3.00 per day. The first full car of freight came over the line to Ahnapee (now Algoma, Wisconsin
Algoma, Wisconsin
Algoma is a city in Kewaunee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,357 at the 2000 census. Algoma is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
) in September 1892. Fare was three cents a mile.
The first business in Luxemburg was erected close to the railroad tracks in 1892 by Hector Boncher, called the “Wisconsin House” soon followed in 1894 with "The Transit House" built by Desire Colle, which is known today as "The Ale House." (est.2009) The village of Luxemburg expanded rapidly with the establishment of Jule Petry’s lumber yard and shingle mill in 1902. Also in 1902, telephone service arrived connecting the community with nearby business centers. Homes and stores were built, the grain elevator was erected, and the bank received its charter in 1903, giving the town a firm foundation for progress. In 1903 Nick Kaut plotted out the west side of Main Street into lots and Desire Colle, owner of the opposite side of Main Street, followed suit a year later.
About this time Dr. Felix Moraux was the first physician. Victor Kaye had charge of the Cargill elevator. Joe Rothe decided to open a furniture store, Fred Radue gave haircuts and shaves in a small building in the rear of the Wisconsin House, and Vojta Nuhlicek opened the first harness shop. A cider press was operated in back of Casper Loberger’s store to quench one’s thirst. In rapid order came other projects, including John Linzmeier’s butcher shop, John Dupont’s jewelry store and Desire Colle’s tavern.
The village formed its school district in 1906 and occupied a room of the Felix VanDrisse building on Main Street with F.J. Kelliher wielding the birch rod. As Luxemburg grew the need for fire protection, street improvements, and other public services set the stage for incorporation in 1908. In 1911 the village population was 402.
In 1911 the Kewaunee branch of Green Bay & Western Railroad constructed a new turntable at Casco Junction
Casco Junction, Wisconsin
Casco Junction is an unincorporated community located in the town of Casco in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. The community was an important railroad outpost for the Ahnapee and Western Railway where Casco Junction acted as the southern terminus of the railroad...
(near Casco, WI) to handle the new Mogul locomotive, but the passenger station there was abandoned in 1940 in favor of the one in Luxemburg. A freight station dock was constructed at Luxemburg in 1913 and upgraded three years later with a cement platform and refrigerator compartment facilitating trade to the area.
From 1917 to 1919 some of the business establishments installed gas lighting systems for better vision. Work was started on the electric power line from Green Bay, WI to Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1920. Electricity was available for residents as of April 5, 1921. Street lights were installed on poles along the side of Main Street that same year. Citizens of Luxemburg voted for sewer and water in July 1943 and work was started in 1947 for the village pumping station. South Luxemburg requested sewer service for 14 homes, 2 taverns, St. Mary’s School and a cheese factory in August 1948.
Notable people
- Benji LaCrosseBenji LaCrosseBenji LaCrosse is an American racecar driver. He was the 2006 IMCA Modified national champion, and the winner of the 2005 IMCA SuperNationals.-IMCA stock car:...
, 2006 IMCA ModifiedIMCA ModifiedIMCA Modified is the top division sanctioned by the International Motor Contest Association. The series began in 1979.The car bodies are a hybrid of an open wheel car and a stock car. The front tires have no body around them like an open wheel car, and the back wheels have a body around them like a...
national racing champion - Matt Pell, two time NCAA Wrestling All-American champion
- Terry JorgensenTerry JorgensenTerry Allen Jorgensen is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played in parts of three seasons in the majors for the Minnesota Twins between and ....
, Former Major League Baseball player - Steve OkoniewskiSteve OkoniewskiSteve Okoniewski is a former professional American football player who played defensive lineman for six seasons for the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the principal at Luxemburg-Casco High School in Luxemburg, Wisconsin and is a volunteer coach with the...
, Former National Football League player - Lary J. SwobodaLary J. Swoboda-Biography:Swoboda was born on May 28, 1939 in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. He was Roman Catholic and was a member of the Society of the Holy Name and the Knights of Columbus.-Career:...
, Wisconsin State Assemblyman