Park Falls, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Park Falls is a city in Price County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 2,793 at the 2000 census. Located in the woods of north central Wisconsin, primarily the Chequamegon National Forest, Park Falls is a small community divided by the North Fork of the Flambeau River, a popular destination for fishing
, canoeing
and whitewater rafting.
, the town grew rapidly and was incorporated as a city in 1912.
At the height of the city's industrial success the city's population swelled to more than 4,000 residents. At the same time, commercial development fueled a sizeable downtown
, which largely remains today.
Several residential neighborhood
s, particularly along 1st Avenue North, were constructed of nearly identical homes and this affordable housing stock is one of the community's lasting assets.
Recent development, which mostly began in the early 1990s, has been primarily concentrated along Wis. Highway 13, a north-south highway that is the city's main thoroughfare.
Park Falls has been called the most geographically isolated community in all of Wisconsin. Several governmental offices are located there, including a school district
, a National Forest Service office, an outpost of the Wisconsin Department of National Resources, and the northern office of the state governor
.
Park Falls has two stoplight-controlled intersections
, the only stoplights in Price County. The nearest neighboring community with a stoplight is at least 45 minutes away in any direction.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), of which, 3.5 square miles (9.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (6.58%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,793 people, 1,185 households, and 718 families residing in the city. The population density
was 787.1 people per square mile (303.8/km²). There were 1,302 housing units at an average density of 366.9 per square mile (141.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.99% White, 0.11% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 1,185 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% 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 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income
for a household in the city was $33,860, and the median income for a family was $42,930. Males had a median income of $31,855 versus $20,959 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,929. About 5.5% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Park Falls is also home to St. Croix Rod, a world-renowned fishing rod
company and a factory for Medford, Wisconsin
-based Weather Shield, a window
manufacturer.
The town's slowly declining population, eroding tax base and shrinking class sizes have created financial challenges for the Park Falls School District, geographically the largest school district in Wisconsin.
with the Phillips, WI school sports teams, the Loggers.The school district combined with the Glidden school district creating the Chequamegon School District. The school district's athletics programs have a history of state championships and record-setting athletes.
The abundance of public forests and several lakes, including the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage to the east of the city, has made Park Falls a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hunting
, fishing, snowmobiling and ATV riding are popular attractions for residents and tourists alike and the town is connected to an extensive system of off highway vehicle (OHV) trails.
, Flambeau Rama, every year during the first weekend in August. The fair is a popular event and many high school
class reunion
s are held during the four-day event.
Price County, Wisconsin
Price County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 15,822. Its county seat is Phillips.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water...
, 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 2,793 at the 2000 census. Located in the woods of north central Wisconsin, primarily the Chequamegon National Forest, Park Falls is a small community divided by the North Fork of the Flambeau River, a popular destination for fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
and whitewater rafting.
History
The city began in the late 19th century as a small river village called Muskellunge Falls. It was later renamed Park Falls for the scenic beauty surrounding the former falls on the south side of town. With a pulp and paper millPaper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
, the town grew rapidly and was incorporated as a city in 1912.
At the height of the city's industrial success the city's population swelled to more than 4,000 residents. At the same time, commercial development fueled a sizeable downtown
Downtown
Downtown is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's core or central business district ....
, which largely remains today.
Several residential neighborhood
Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood or neighborhood is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town or suburb. Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction among members. "Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition...
s, particularly along 1st Avenue North, were constructed of nearly identical homes and this affordable housing stock is one of the community's lasting assets.
Recent development, which mostly began in the early 1990s, has been primarily concentrated along Wis. Highway 13, a north-south highway that is the city's main thoroughfare.
Park Falls has been called the most geographically isolated community in all of Wisconsin. Several governmental offices are located there, including a school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
, a National Forest Service office, an outpost of the Wisconsin Department of National Resources, and the northern office of the state governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
.
Park Falls has two stoplight-controlled intersections
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
, the only stoplights in Price County. The nearest neighboring community with a stoplight is at least 45 minutes away in any direction.
Geography
Park Falls is located at 45°56′5"N 90°26′55"W (45.934590, -90.448538).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 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), of which, 3.5 square miles (9.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (6.58%) 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 2,793 people, 1,185 households, and 718 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 787.1 people per square mile (303.8/km²). There were 1,302 housing units at an average density of 366.9 per square mile (141.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.99% White, 0.11% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% 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 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 1,185 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% 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, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% 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 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
for a household in the city was $33,860, and the median income for a family was $42,930. Males had a median income of $31,855 versus $20,959 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 $17,929. About 5.5% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
The Flambeau River Papers Corporation (formerly Flambeau Paper Company), a namesake of the Flambeau River, was once the largest employer in the area. The mill, which closed in early 2006, underwent many name changes throughout its more than 100-year history. Its closure was a significant economic shock for the community. Local and state officials offered relocation, and educational and mental health services for displaced workers. A buyer was found for the mill and it was reopened in August 2006 as Flambeau River Papers.Park Falls is also home to St. Croix Rod, a world-renowned fishing rod
Fishing rod
A fishing rod or a fishing pole is a tool used to catch fish, usually in conjunction with the pastime of angling, and can also be used in competition casting. . A length of fishing line is attached to a long, flexible rod or pole: one end terminates in a hook for catching the fish...
company and a factory for Medford, Wisconsin
Medford, Wisconsin
Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford.- Geography :Medford is located at Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin,...
-based Weather Shield, a window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
manufacturer.
The town's slowly declining population, eroding tax base and shrinking class sizes have created financial challenges for the Park Falls School District, geographically the largest school district in Wisconsin.
Sports and recreation
The Chequamegon Screaming Eagles (formerly known as the Park Falls Cardinals), have had a long-standing rivalrySports rivalry
A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the...
with the Phillips, WI school sports teams, the Loggers.The school district combined with the Glidden school district creating the Chequamegon School District. The school district's athletics programs have a history of state championships and record-setting athletes.
The abundance of public forests and several lakes, including the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage to the east of the city, has made Park Falls a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing, snowmobiling and ATV riding are popular attractions for residents and tourists alike and the town is connected to an extensive system of off highway vehicle (OHV) trails.
Events
Park Falls celebrates its community festivalFestival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
, Flambeau Rama, every year during the first weekend in August. The fair is a popular event and many high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
class reunion
Class reunion
A class reunion is a meeting of former classmates, typically organized at or near their former school by one of the class on or around an anniversary of their graduation. Former teachers may be invited as well...
s are held during the four-day event.
Notable people
- Shane FrederickShane FrederickShane Frederick is an associate professor at Yale University's School of Management. He earlier worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the creator of the "Cognitive Reflection Test", or CRT, a form of intelligence test that tests how "rational" testees are...
, MIT management science professor - David Greenwood (football player)David Greenwood (football player)David Mark Greenwood is a former American football safety who played three seasons in the National Football League.Considered by many to be the greatest high school athlete in the history of Wisconsin, Greenwood excelled in track and basketball as well as football in high school...
, NFL safety for three seasons - Luke Timothy JohnsonLuke Timothy JohnsonLuke Timothy Johnson is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology and a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University...
, theologian and writer