Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin
, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams
, Columbia
, Juneau
, and Sauk
. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River
, a scenic, glacially formed
gorge that features striking sandstone
formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River
. Together with nearby Lake Delton
, the city forms an area known as "the Dells", a popular Midwestern
tourist
destination. The Dells area has an estimated five million annual visitors.
The Dells area has numerous indoor waterpark
s and outdoor waterparks, proclaiming itself the "Waterpark Capital of the World". It is home to the largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., Noah's Ark; the largest indoor waterpark resort, Wilderness Territory; and America's largest water and theme park resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. Other attractions in the Dells include the Dells Boat Tours, numerous golf
courses, mini golf, go-kart
tracks, water sports, horseback riding, Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
, Exploratory
, Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, Timber Falls Amusement, the Ho-Chunk Casino
and many other places of interest. Most attractions are located on the Strip, otherwise known as the Wisconsin Dells Parkway
. Accommodations range from economical motel
s to RV park
s to chain hotels to themed resort
s featuring indoor and outdoor waterparks and other amenities.
Because it straddles multiple counties, parts of Wisconsin Dells are associated with different Core Based Statistical Area
s (CBSAs). The Columbia County portion of the city is considered part of the Madison
Metropolitan Statistical Area
, while the Sauk County portion is part of the Baraboo
Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Adams and Juneau county portions are not part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area.
as "dalles", which means slabs.
, who also founded Kilbourntown, one of the three original towns at the confluence of the Milwaukee
, Menomonee
, and Kinnickinnic River
s that joined to become Milwaukee. Before the establishment of Kilbourn City, the region around the dells of the Wisconsin River
was primarily a lumbering area until 1851, when the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad was chartered, with Kilbourn as its president. The railroad made plans to bridge the Wisconsin River near the river's dells, and a boomtown
named Newport sprang up at the expected site of the bridge in 1853. The population of this new city quickly swelled to over 2,000, but when the railroad finally came through the area in 1857 it took nearly everyone by surprise by crossing the river a mile upstream from the site of Newport. As a result, Newport was rapidly turned into a ghost town
as the settlers flocked to the new city at the site of the railroad bridge, Kilbourn City. Gradually, tourism became a large part of Kilbourn City. To make it easier for tourists to identify Kilbourn City with the natural landscape
for which it was famous, the name of the city was changed to Wisconsin Dells in 1931. As the twentieth century progressed, new attractions began to draw even more tourists.
established a studio in the city and took many photos of the sandstone formations in the dells, including stereoscopic
views. Prints of these photographs were distributed across the United States, further enhancing the status of Kilbourn City as a destination for sightseers. Taking advantage of this, Bennett began offering to take souvenir pictures of visitors to the dells, becoming one of the first to capitalize on the area's burgeoning tourist trade. Today, the H. H. Bennett Studio
is a historic site operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
.
The dells region remained primarily a place for sightseers to escape the bustle of the city for many decades. In 1856, Leroy Gates began taking tourists on boat tours of the Wisconsin Dells. These tours were given using wooden rowboats until 1873 when the first steamboat, the Modocawanda, was used. By 1894, distillate-powered tour boats began to be used. In 1908, the Kilbourn Dam was installed by what is now Alliant Energy
, over the protests from people such as H. H. Bennett, separating the Dells into the Upper and Lower Dells.
Since the time of LeRoy Gates, the Dells Boat Tours have gone through many operators. Some of the previous companies were The Riverview Boat Line, The Olson Boat Line (owned by Jack B. Olson
), The Dells Boat Company, the Consolidated Boat Company and the Silver Dollar Boat Line.
A few other events of interest took place during this time, including the June 16, 1911 impact of a 772-gram stony meteorite
in rural Columbia County
near the city, damaging a barn.
to the Wisconsin Dells. It was an impulse buy that he had made at a government auction in California; the trip's purpose had been to purchase war surplus trucks. Mel opened the "Dells Amphibian Line", which gave 90-minute tours in the Wisconsin River, exposing tourists to the area's famous sandstone formations. Mel eventually sold his duck fleet to the Associated Boat lines in 1952, which renamed themselves the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. In 1952 the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. began offering tours of the river dells and adjacent areas using decommissioned amphibious DUKW
vehicles from World War II
. Jack B. Olson
started the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc.; they remain one of the area's most popular attractions. However, duck competition was far from over after the 1952 sale. Mel Flath opened up a duck ride again briefly from 1964 to 1966. When he was bought out again, the Soma Boat Company opened their own duck ride on Mirror Lake, near Lake Delton
, which they called the Aquaducks. In response to the competition, Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. assumed the name "Original Wisconsin Ducks". The Aquaducks existed from 1968 until their sale to the boat lines in 1976. In 1977 yet another duck ride began, this one by Mel Flath's daughter and son-in-law, George and Suzanne Field, named Dells Duck Tours, Inc., operating from the same property as Mel had 30 years earlier. This time sporting a red, white and blue exterior, these ducks, while not the "original" ducks that were first brought to the dells, were still World War II production models. Today, the Dells Duck Tours, Inc. are known as the Dells Army Ducks after a paint scheme change in 2002.
was founded in Lake Delton in 1952, and remained open until 2006. In 1952, a new traveling performance from Chicago
called "Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
" came to Lake Delton on its second stop. Following the show's huge success in the city, its owner, Tommy Bartlett, chose to keep the performance permanently in Wisconsin Dells. To promote the show, Bartlett gave away bumper stickers advertising his thrill show and the city, effectively spreading word about the area across the nation. Soon more attractions followed to serve the ever-increasing tourists, along with countless hotels, shops, and restaurants.
The Polynesian Resort Hotel opened the United States' and the Dells area's first indoor waterpark in 1994. Since then, the number of combination resort/indoor waterparks in the Wisconsin Dells area has swelled, with each new indoor waterpark trying to have the latest innovations in waterslides and to be able to claim the title of America's largest park. The Big 5 Dells resorts with large indoor waterparks are the Wilderness Territory, Kalahari Resort, Chula Vista Resort
, Great Wolf Lodge, and Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus. The three indoor waterparks at the Wilderness Territory have more square feet of waterpark space than any other resort in America. Kalahari Resort's indoor waterpark is the Dells' largest indoor waterpark under one roof, and is also America's second largest indoor waterpark at 125000 square feet (11,612.9 m²) square feet. Additionally, there are other smaller hotels with waterparks such as the Atlantis Resort
as well as Bluegreen
Odyssey Dells which is adjacent to Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park but does not offer an on-site waterpark. These are generally marketed to families with younger children.
In 2005, Big Chief Karts and Coasters merged with the former Family Land Waterpark and Treasure Island Hotel to create a large theme park on the border of Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells, with a resort called Hotel Rome, an indoor waterpark, outdoor waterpark, theme park, and the area's first indoor theme park. The park, which has roller coasters, go-karts, and water slides, is called Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park.
The Tanger Outlet Center opened in 2006 near the Great Wolf Lodge, replacing a former dog track. Since Mt. Olympus opened the Parthenon Indoor Theme Park in 2006, two more indoor theme parks were constructed in the area: Knuckleheads outside the Tanger Complex in 2007, and Kalahari Resort in December 2008. New attractions being constructed include more indoor waterpark resorts, the Grand Cambrian Resort, and the Wedge Resort.
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (5.68%) is water. According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, on January 19, 2004 the city annexed land from the Town of Lyndon
in Juneau County, thus expanding the city to include area in four counties.
.
of 2000, there were 2,418 people, 1,019 households, and 609 families residing in the city. The population density
was 583.1 people per square mile (225.0/km²). There were 1,178 housing units at an average density of 284.1 per square mile (109.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.56% White, 0.37% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.33% from other races
, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.
There were 1,019 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,699, and the median income for a family was $46,304. Males had a median income of $29,830 versus $22,553 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $23,447. About 4.0% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
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...
, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams
Adams County, Wisconsin
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Sources differ as to whether its name is in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams, or his son, the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. As of 2000, the population of Adams County was 18,643. Its county seat is...
, Columbia
Columbia County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***...
, Juneau
Juneau County, Wisconsin
Juneau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,316. Its county seat is Mauston. It should not, however, be confused with the city of Juneau, Wisconsin, to which it has no connection.-Geography:...
, and Sauk
Sauk County, Wisconsin
Sauk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat and largest city is Baraboo. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area....
. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River
Dells of the Wisconsin River
thumb|250px|Dells of the Wisconsin RiverThe Dells of the Wisconsin River — also called the Wisconsin Dells — is a 5-mile gorge on the Wisconsin River in southern Wisconsin, USA...
, a scenic, glacially formed
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
gorge that features striking sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
. Together with nearby Lake Delton
Lake Delton
Lake Delton is a man-made freshwater lake in Sauk County in central Wisconsin. For much of 2008, it was a mostly empty lake basin after a portion of a county highway that forms part of the dike wall eroded on June 9, 2008, under the pressure of floods in the area. The resulting washout caused the...
, the city forms an area known as "the Dells", a popular Midwestern
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
tourist
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
destination. The Dells area has an estimated five million annual visitors.
The Dells area has numerous indoor waterpark
Indoor waterpark
An indoor waterpark is a type of waterpark that is located inside a building. An indoor waterpark has the ability to stay open year-round, as it is not affected by weather conditions.-History:...
s and outdoor waterparks, proclaiming itself the "Waterpark Capital of the World". It is home to the largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., Noah's Ark; the largest indoor waterpark resort, Wilderness Territory; and America's largest water and theme park resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. Other attractions in the Dells include the Dells Boat Tours, numerous golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
courses, mini golf, go-kart
Go-kart
thumb|A [[Kart racing|racing kart]] at the [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]] European Championship 2008A go-kart is a small four-wheeled vehicle...
tracks, water sports, horseback riding, Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show, more commonly known as the Tommy Bartlett Show, is a popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The show was created in 1952 by Wisconsin showman Tommy Bartlett as a traveling group of entertainers, based in Chicago, Illinois...
, Exploratory
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is an attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin with over 150 interactive science displays. It is the sister attraction to the long-running Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show...
, Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, Timber Falls Amusement, the Ho-Chunk Casino
Ho-Chunk Casino
Ho-Chunk Casino is a Native American casino located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The casino is owned by the Ho-Chunk tribe.-External links:*...
and many other places of interest. Most attractions are located on the Strip, otherwise known as the Wisconsin Dells Parkway
Wisconsin Dells Parkway
The Wisconsin Dells Parkway is a 4.5 mile section of road that runs from Interstate 90/Interstate 94 in Lake Delton, Wisconsin to the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 13 and Wisconsin Highway 16 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is concurrent with U.S. Route 12 the entire time, picking up...
. Accommodations range from economical motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
s to RV park
RV park
A recreational vehicle park or caravan park is a place where people with recreational vehicles can stay overnight, or longer, in alloted spaces known as "pitches"...
s to chain hotels to themed resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
s featuring indoor and outdoor waterparks and other amenities.
Because it straddles multiple counties, parts of Wisconsin Dells are associated with different Core Based Statistical Area
Core based statistical area
A Core Based Statistical Area is a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget based around an urban center of at least 10,000 people and adjacent areas that are socioeconomically tied to the urban center by commuting. Areas defined on the basis of these standards applied...
s (CBSAs). The Columbia County portion of the city is considered part of the Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Madison metropolitan area
The Madison 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 Madison. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 568,593.-Definitions:...
, while the Sauk County portion is part of the Baraboo
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Baraboo is the largest city in, and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA. It is situated on the Baraboo River. Its 2010 population was 12,048 according to the US Census Bureau...
Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Adams and Juneau county portions are not part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area.
Etymology
Early French explorers named the Dells of the Wisconsin RiverDells of the Wisconsin River
thumb|250px|Dells of the Wisconsin RiverThe Dells of the Wisconsin River — also called the Wisconsin Dells — is a 5-mile gorge on the Wisconsin River in southern Wisconsin, USA...
as "dalles", which means slabs.
Railroad brings in residents
Wisconsin Dells was founded as Kilbourn City in 1857 by Byron KilbournByron Kilbourn
Byron Kilbourn was an American surveyor, railroad executive, and politician who was an important figure in the founding of Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
, who also founded Kilbourntown, one of the three original towns at the confluence of the Milwaukee
Milwaukee River
The Milwaukee River is a river in the state of Wisconsin. It is about long.- Description :The river begins in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and flows south past Grafton to downtown Milwaukee, where it empties into Lake Michigan...
, Menomonee
Menomonee River
The Menomonee River is one of three primary rivers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.-Description:Named after the Menomonee Indians, the word literally means "good seed", referring to the abundant wild rice that once grew along its shores in the Menomonee Valley...
, and Kinnickinnic River
Kinnickinnic River
Kinnickinnic River may refer to one of two rivers in the United States state of Wisconsin:* Kinnickinnic River, a tributary of the Milwaukee River in southeastern Wisconsin* Kinnickinnic River, a tributary of the St. Croix River in northwestern Wisconsin...
s that joined to become Milwaukee. Before the establishment of Kilbourn City, the region around the dells of the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
was primarily a lumbering area until 1851, when the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad was chartered, with Kilbourn as its president. The railroad made plans to bridge the Wisconsin River near the river's dells, and a boomtown
Boomtown
A boomtown is a community that experiences sudden and rapid population and economic growth. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although the term can also be applied to communities growing very rapidly for different reasons,...
named Newport sprang up at the expected site of the bridge in 1853. The population of this new city quickly swelled to over 2,000, but when the railroad finally came through the area in 1857 it took nearly everyone by surprise by crossing the river a mile upstream from the site of Newport. As a result, Newport was rapidly turned into a ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
as the settlers flocked to the new city at the site of the railroad bridge, Kilbourn City. Gradually, tourism became a large part of Kilbourn City. To make it easier for tourists to identify Kilbourn City with the natural landscape
Natural landscape
A natural landscape is a landscape that is unaffected by human activity. A natural landscape is intact when all living and nonliving elements are free to move and change. The nonliving elements distinguish a natural landscape from a wilderness. A wilderness includes areas within which natural...
for which it was famous, the name of the city was changed to Wisconsin Dells in 1931. As the twentieth century progressed, new attractions began to draw even more tourists.
The Wisconsin River dells bring in tourists
Because of the scenery provided by the dells of the Wisconsin River, Kilbourn City quickly became a popular travel destination in the Midwest. In 1875, early landscape photographer H. H. BennettH. H. Bennett
Henry Hamilton Bennett was a photographer famous for his pictures of the Dells of the Wisconsin River and surrounding region taken between 1865 and 1908. The popularity of his photographs helped turn the city of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin into a major tourist destination.-Early life:H. H...
established a studio in the city and took many photos of the sandstone formations in the dells, including stereoscopic
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
views. Prints of these photographs were distributed across the United States, further enhancing the status of Kilbourn City as a destination for sightseers. Taking advantage of this, Bennett began offering to take souvenir pictures of visitors to the dells, becoming one of the first to capitalize on the area's burgeoning tourist trade. Today, the H. H. Bennett Studio
H. H. Bennett Studio
The H. H. Bennett Studio is a historic photographic studio located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The studio building was built in 1875 by noted landscape photographer H. H. Bennett, and was operated by his family until 1999. In that year, the studio was donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society...
is a historic site operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society is simultaneously a private membership and a state-funded organization whose purpose is to maintain, promote and spread knowledge relating to the history of North America, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin and the trans-Allegheny West...
.
The dells region remained primarily a place for sightseers to escape the bustle of the city for many decades. In 1856, Leroy Gates began taking tourists on boat tours of the Wisconsin Dells. These tours were given using wooden rowboats until 1873 when the first steamboat, the Modocawanda, was used. By 1894, distillate-powered tour boats began to be used. In 1908, the Kilbourn Dam was installed by what is now Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy Corporation is a public utility holding company that incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin in 1981. It consists of two subsidiaries:...
, over the protests from people such as H. H. Bennett, separating the Dells into the Upper and Lower Dells.
Since the time of LeRoy Gates, the Dells Boat Tours have gone through many operators. Some of the previous companies were The Riverview Boat Line, The Olson Boat Line (owned by Jack B. Olson
Jack B. Olson
Jack B. Olson was an American businessman, politician, and Republican from the U.S. state of Wisconsin.Olson was born in Kilbourn in Columbia County, Wisconsin on August 29, 1920, to Jane Zimmerman Olson and Grover Olson. He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School and attended Western Michigan...
), The Dells Boat Company, the Consolidated Boat Company and the Silver Dollar Boat Line.
A few other events of interest took place during this time, including the June 16, 1911 impact of a 772-gram stony meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
in rural Columbia County
Columbia County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***...
near the city, damaging a barn.
DUCKS come to the Dells
In 1946 a Milwaukee native named Mel Flath brought the first DUKWDUKW
The DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by a partnership under military auspices of Sparkman & Stephens and General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious...
to the Wisconsin Dells. It was an impulse buy that he had made at a government auction in California; the trip's purpose had been to purchase war surplus trucks. Mel opened the "Dells Amphibian Line", which gave 90-minute tours in the Wisconsin River, exposing tourists to the area's famous sandstone formations. Mel eventually sold his duck fleet to the Associated Boat lines in 1952, which renamed themselves the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. In 1952 the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. began offering tours of the river dells and adjacent areas using decommissioned amphibious DUKW
DUKW
The DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by a partnership under military auspices of Sparkman & Stephens and General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious...
vehicles from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Jack B. Olson
Jack B. Olson
Jack B. Olson was an American businessman, politician, and Republican from the U.S. state of Wisconsin.Olson was born in Kilbourn in Columbia County, Wisconsin on August 29, 1920, to Jane Zimmerman Olson and Grover Olson. He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School and attended Western Michigan...
started the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc.; they remain one of the area's most popular attractions. However, duck competition was far from over after the 1952 sale. Mel Flath opened up a duck ride again briefly from 1964 to 1966. When he was bought out again, the Soma Boat Company opened their own duck ride on Mirror Lake, near Lake Delton
Lake Delton
Lake Delton is a man-made freshwater lake in Sauk County in central Wisconsin. For much of 2008, it was a mostly empty lake basin after a portion of a county highway that forms part of the dike wall eroded on June 9, 2008, under the pressure of floods in the area. The resulting washout caused the...
, which they called the Aquaducks. In response to the competition, Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. assumed the name "Original Wisconsin Ducks". The Aquaducks existed from 1968 until their sale to the boat lines in 1976. In 1977 yet another duck ride began, this one by Mel Flath's daughter and son-in-law, George and Suzanne Field, named Dells Duck Tours, Inc., operating from the same property as Mel had 30 years earlier. This time sporting a red, white and blue exterior, these ducks, while not the "original" ducks that were first brought to the dells, were still World War II production models. Today, the Dells Duck Tours, Inc. are known as the Dells Army Ducks after a paint scheme change in 2002.
Growth
Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells's sister city to the south, gradually became popular as the Dells attractions spread out. The Wonder SpotThe Wonder Spot
The Wonder Spot was a tourist attraction located off US Route 12 in Lake Delton, Wisconsin from 1952 to 2006. A popular side trip for visitors to nearby Wisconsin Dells, the Wonder Spot was advertised as a place "where the laws of natural gravity seem to be repealed." Visitors walked down a ravine...
was founded in Lake Delton in 1952, and remained open until 2006. In 1952, a new traveling performance from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
called "Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show
Tommy Bartlett's Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show, more commonly known as the Tommy Bartlett Show, is a popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The show was created in 1952 by Wisconsin showman Tommy Bartlett as a traveling group of entertainers, based in Chicago, Illinois...
" came to Lake Delton on its second stop. Following the show's huge success in the city, its owner, Tommy Bartlett, chose to keep the performance permanently in Wisconsin Dells. To promote the show, Bartlett gave away bumper stickers advertising his thrill show and the city, effectively spreading word about the area across the nation. Soon more attractions followed to serve the ever-increasing tourists, along with countless hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Waterpark era
Since the late 1970s the Dells area (Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton) has become a water park mecca. Noah's Ark Waterpark opened in Lake Delton in 1979, and has become the largest and the eighth most visited water park in the U.S. Other outdoor amusement and water parks followed, featuring water slides, mini golf, roller coasters, go-karts, and other attractions.The Polynesian Resort Hotel opened the United States' and the Dells area's first indoor waterpark in 1994. Since then, the number of combination resort/indoor waterparks in the Wisconsin Dells area has swelled, with each new indoor waterpark trying to have the latest innovations in waterslides and to be able to claim the title of America's largest park. The Big 5 Dells resorts with large indoor waterparks are the Wilderness Territory, Kalahari Resort, Chula Vista Resort
Chula Vista Resort
Chula Vista Resort is a southwestern-themed waterpark resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The resort is located on the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, north of downtown.-History:...
, Great Wolf Lodge, and Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus. The three indoor waterparks at the Wilderness Territory have more square feet of waterpark space than any other resort in America. Kalahari Resort's indoor waterpark is the Dells' largest indoor waterpark under one roof, and is also America's second largest indoor waterpark at 125000 square feet (11,612.9 m²) square feet. Additionally, there are other smaller hotels with waterparks such as the Atlantis Resort
Atlantis (Wisconsin Dells)
The Atlantis Hotel and Waterpark is a resort hotel with an indoor waterpark located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.-Overview:The hotel and waterparks have a distinct Greek theme. The lobbies have artificial waterfalls and Greek columns...
as well as Bluegreen
Bluegreen Corporation
Bluegreen Corporation is a public real-estate and timeshare resort developer headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. They are a leader in providing "Colorful Places to Live and Play" and currently have more than 3,500 associates in over 50 resorts nationwide...
Odyssey Dells which is adjacent to Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park but does not offer an on-site waterpark. These are generally marketed to families with younger children.
In 2005, Big Chief Karts and Coasters merged with the former Family Land Waterpark and Treasure Island Hotel to create a large theme park on the border of Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells, with a resort called Hotel Rome, an indoor waterpark, outdoor waterpark, theme park, and the area's first indoor theme park. The park, which has roller coasters, go-karts, and water slides, is called Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park.
The Tanger Outlet Center opened in 2006 near the Great Wolf Lodge, replacing a former dog track. Since Mt. Olympus opened the Parthenon Indoor Theme Park in 2006, two more indoor theme parks were constructed in the area: Knuckleheads outside the Tanger Complex in 2007, and Kalahari Resort in December 2008. New attractions being constructed include more indoor waterpark resorts, the Grand Cambrian Resort, and the Wedge Resort.
Geography and climate
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (5.68%) is water. According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, on January 19, 2004 the city annexed land from the Town of Lyndon
Lyndon, Juneau County, Wisconsin
Lyndon is a town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,217 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.6 square miles , of which, 28.3 square miles of it is land and 1.3 square miles of it ...
in Juneau County, thus expanding the city to include area in four counties.
State temperature record
On July 13, 1936, the temperature in Wisconsin Dells reached 114 °F (46 °C), the highest ever recorded in the state of WisconsinWisconsin
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...
.
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, 1,019 households, and 609 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 583.1 people per square mile (225.0/km²). There were 1,178 housing units at an average density of 284.1 per square mile (109.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.56% White, 0.37% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.33% 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 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.
There were 1,019 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% 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, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,699, and the median income for a family was $46,304. Males had a median income of $29,830 versus $22,553 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 $23,447. About 4.0% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
- Wisconsin Dells (Amtrak station)Wisconsin Dells (Amtrak station)Wisconsin Dells is a train station in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Despite the antiquated appearance, the station was built in 1989. The station is a replica of a former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Depot, and is in close...
- Wisconsin Dells ParkwayWisconsin Dells ParkwayThe Wisconsin Dells Parkway is a 4.5 mile section of road that runs from Interstate 90/Interstate 94 in Lake Delton, Wisconsin to the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 13 and Wisconsin Highway 16 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It is concurrent with U.S. Route 12 the entire time, picking up...
- Wisconsin Dells Kangaroo taxi
Notable people
- Jack FlanneryJack FlanneryJack Flannery was an American off-road racing driver who was active in the 1980s and 1990s. Flannery won six short course off-road championships in Short-course Off-road Drivers Association and one in Championship Off-Road Racing . He had over 150 event wins in his career...
, CORR and SODA driver - Michael GriffinMichael Griffin (politician)Michael Griffin was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born in County Clare, Ireland, Griffin immigrated with his parents to Canada in 1847 and to Ohio in 1851....
, U.S. Representative - Frank KreyerFrank KreyerFrank Kreyer is an American racecar driver from Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. He has started in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series.-Racing career:...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver - Jack B. OlsonJack B. OlsonJack B. Olson was an American businessman, politician, and Republican from the U.S. state of Wisconsin.Olson was born in Kilbourn in Columbia County, Wisconsin on August 29, 1920, to Jane Zimmerman Olson and Grover Olson. He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School and attended Western Michigan...
, U.S. diplomat
External links
- City of Wisconsin Dells government website
- Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Wisconsin Dells Events Local Newspaper
- The Kilbourn Fire Department: Wisconsin Dells Volunteer Fire Department
- Downtown Wisconsin Dells Website of Downtown Wisconsin Dells
- Wisconsin Dells Guide to attractions and general information