Calvary, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calvary, Wisconsin
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Downtown Calvary
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 Calvary, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Calvary, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Fond du Lac |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 920 |
Calvary, Wisconsin is a small place in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own government. It's part of a larger area called Marshfield.
This community was once known as Calvary Station. That's because it grew up around a train station. The Sheboygan-Fond du Lac Railroad built its depot about 1 mile (2 kilometers) north of the nearby community of Mount Calvary. This was necessary because the trains needed a flatter path to climb the Niagara Escarpment, a big hill in the area.
Today, Calvary is located where two county roads, Highway WW and Highway WH, meet. It's also right in the middle of the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm, where many tall wind turbines generate electricity. This area is often called Wisconsin's "Holyland Region."
Contents
Understanding Calvary, Wisconsin
Calvary is a unique spot in Wisconsin. It's not a city or a village, but a community where people live and work. Being "unincorporated" means it doesn't have its own separate local government like a mayor or city council. Instead, it's governed by the larger Town of Marshfield.
Where is Calvary Located?
Calvary is found in Fond du Lac County, which is in the eastern part of Wisconsin. It sits at the crossing of two county highways, WW and WH. Highway WH used to be a state road called Wisconsin Highway 149 until it was changed in the 2000s.
The Holyland Region Connection
Calvary is part of an area known as "The Holyland" in Wisconsin. This region got its name because many German Catholic immigrants settled here in the 1800s. They built many churches and religious institutions, giving the area its special nickname.
Calvary's Railroad History
The history of Calvary is closely tied to trains. The community began because of a railroad depot, which is a train station.
Why "Calvary Station"?
The original name, Calvary Station, tells us a lot about its past. The Sheboygan-Fond du Lac Railroad needed a place for its trains to stop. They chose a spot about 1 mile (2 kilometers) north of the community of Mount Calvary. This location was better for the trains because it had a gentler slope.
Trains and the Niagara Escarpment
Trains need relatively flat ground to travel easily. The Niagara Escarpment is a long, steep ridge of hills that runs through this part of Wisconsin. To avoid a very steep climb, the railroad built its station a little further away from Mount Calvary. This made it easier for trains to go up and down the escarpment.
Calvary and Renewable Energy
Today, Calvary is known for its connection to green energy. It's located right in the heart of a large wind farm.
The Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm
The Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm is a big project that uses wind turbines to create electricity. These tall, spinning turbines are a common sight around Calvary. They help provide clean, renewable energy to homes and businesses.
Images
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Looking north at Calvary with the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Farm turbines
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Looking west at the welcome sign along County WH
