Bayfield, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bayfield, Wisconsin
|
|
|---|---|
Bayfield from the harbor
|
|
Location of Bayfield in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Bayfield |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.86 sq mi (2.23 km2) |
| • Land | 0.86 sq mi (2.23 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 584 |
| • Density | 678.3/sq mi (261.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
54814
|
| Area codes | 715 and 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-05350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1582764 |
| Public Transit | Bay Area Rural Transit |
Bayfield is a small city in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2020, about 584 people lived there. This makes it the city with the smallest population in all of Wisconsin!
Wisconsin Highway 13 is the main road through Bayfield. Long ago, the city was important for cutting down trees (lumbering) and catching fish (commercial fishing). Today, Bayfield is a popular place for tourists and visitors. It's often called the "Gateway to the Apostle Islands" because it's the main starting point for exploring these beautiful islands.
Contents
History of Bayfield
Bayfield got its name in 1856. It was named after Henry Bayfield, a British Royal Topographic Engineer. He explored this area between 1822 and 1823. The first post office in Bayfield opened in 1856.
The first Catholic church was built in Bayfield in 1860. Later, in 1878, the Franciscans religious group arrived. Church services were held in both English and the Ojibwe language.
In 1879, a school for Native American children was started in Bayfield. It was called the Holy Family Mission School. Students from the Fond du Lac Band Chippewa and the Saulteaux Ojibwe attended this school. The school aimed to provide education and operated until 1999.
Geography and Nature
Bayfield is located in a beautiful spot at 46°48.7′N 90°49.2′W / 46.8117°N 90.8200°W.
The city covers about 0.87 square miles (2.23 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
Bayfield is the main entry point to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This is a group of 21 amazing islands in Lake Superior. Madeline Island is the biggest of these islands. It's the only one not part of the National Lakeshore. A ferry boat connects Bayfield to La Pointe, Wisconsin, which is a community on Madeline Island.
Bayfield's Climate
Bayfield has a varied climate throughout the year. Summers are generally warm and pleasant. Winters are cold and snowy. The area gets a lot of snow, especially from November to March.
People of Bayfield
Bayfield has seen its population change over the years. In 1890, about 1,373 people lived here. By 2020, the population was 584.
Bayfield in 2020
In 2020, there were 584 people living in Bayfield. Most people (80.1%) were White. About 11.0% were Native American. A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 1.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Bayfield in 2010
In 2010, there were 487 people in Bayfield. About 77.8% were White, and 14.8% were Native American.
The average age of people in Bayfield in 2010 was 53.2 years old. About 15.4% of residents were under 18. Many people (26.9%) were 65 or older.
Arts and Culture
In the Anishinaabe language, Bayfield is called Oshki-oodena, which means "New-town." This is different from Superior, Wisconsin, which is called Gete-oodena ("Old-town"). These names refer to how the Ojibwa people moved through the area.
Bayfield has two museums: the Bayfield Maritime Museum and the Bayfield Heritage Museum. You can also find several art galleries in the city.
Near Bayfield is the Big Top Chautauqua. This is a large tent theater that can hold 950 people. During the summer, it hosts many famous performers.
Bayfield's yearly Apple Fest is very popular. It happens on the first weekend of October and attracts about 60,000 visitors! Other fun summer events include the Bayfield Race Week regatta in July. There's also the Festival of Arts and Gallery Tour, which shows off artists from the Midwest.
Fun Activities and Recreation
If you like winter sports, the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race is a big event. It takes place on the first weekend of February. This is the largest sled dog race in the Midwest. Between 50 and 75 teams compete each year.
Transportation
Bus service in Bayfield is provided by Bay Area Rural Transit.
Media
Bayfield gets its radio stations from Ashland, Wisconsin. These include WATW, WBSZ, and WJJH. Television stations come from the Duluth–Superior area.
Notable People from Bayfield
- Laurie E. Carlson (1937–1942), a Wisconsin State Representative, was born in Bayfield.
- Norris J. Nelson (1939–1943), a Los Angeles City Council member, was born in Bayfield.
- Nathan Van Cleave, a composer for television shows like "The Twilight Zone," was born here.
- Lou Alta Melton (1895–1974), an American civil engineer who designed bridges.
Images for kids
-
The headquarters of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in Bayfield, is actually made out of rock quarried from the islands before they were made a park
-
Downtown Bayfield
-
Rittenhouse Inn
-
City hall
-
Bayfield Marina
-
Bayfield sign
-
Bayfield, Wisconsin seen from the harbor
-
Bayfield in winter
See also
In Spanish: Bayfield (Wisconsin) para niños
