Ballou, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ballou, Wisconsin
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 Ballou, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Ballou, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Ashland |
| Town | Morse |
| Elevation | 434 m (1,424 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area codes | 715 & 534 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1577501 |
Ballou is a small place in Wisconsin, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it's not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's part of a larger area called the Town of Morse, located in Ashland County.
Ballou was started around 1890. It was created because of the Wisconsin Central railroad, which was building new lines through the area. The community was named after a person important to the railroad and a paper company.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Ballou is a group of homes and businesses that don't have their own separate local government. They are part of a larger area, like a "town" or "county."
How are Unincorporated Communities Different?
Unlike a city or village, an unincorporated community doesn't have its own mayor or town council. Services like police, fire, and road maintenance are usually provided by the county or the larger town it belongs to.
This setup is common in many parts of the United States. It allows people to live together without the extra costs and rules of a separate local government.
The History of Ballou
Ballou was founded in the late 1800s, a time when railroads were very important for connecting places. The Wisconsin Central railroad played a big role in its creation.
How Railroads Helped Communities Grow
In the 1800s, railroads were like the internet of their time. They helped transport goods and people across long distances. When a railroad line was built, new communities often sprang up along the tracks. These communities served as stops for trains, places for workers to live, and centers for local trade.
Ballou was one of these communities that grew because of the railroad. It helped connect the area to other parts of Wisconsin and beyond.
Who Was Miner H. Ballou?
The community of Ballou was named after Miner H. Ballou. He was an important person involved with both the railroad and a paper company.
Miner Ballou's Role in Business
Miner H. Ballou was the treasurer and general manager of the Menasha Paper Company. This means he handled the money and helped run the company's daily operations. He was also a director of the Wisconsin Central railroad. Being a director meant he was part of the group that made big decisions for the railroad company.
Naming the community after him was a way to honor his contributions to the railroad and the region's development.
