Delavan, Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Delavan
City
Looking west towards downtown Delavan
Motto(s):  19th Century Circus Capital of America
Location of Delavan in Walworth County, Wisconsin
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Walworth County
Incorporated (village)	March 31, 1856
Incorporated (city)	July 21, 1897
Area
• Total	7.43 sq mi (19.24 km2)
• Land	6.97 sq mi (18.05 km2)
• Water	0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2)  6.37%
Elevation	925 ft (282 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,505
• Estimate  (2021)	8,594
• Density	1,220.6/sq mi (471.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
ZIP Code	53115
Area code(s)	262
FIPS code	55-19450

Delavan is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2020, about 8,505 people lived there. It is located about 45 miles southwest of Milwaukee. The city is partly within the Town of Delavan, but they are separate places politically. Delavan is known for Delavan Lake, which attracts many tourists. It is also close to Lake Geneva, another popular spot for visitors.

History of Delavan

Early Times

Long ago, the area where Delavan now stands was covered by an ancient sea. During the last ice age, a huge glacier called the Michigan tongue moved across this region. A part of this glacier, known as the "Delavan lobe," pushed into Walworth County.

The first people to live in the Delavan area were Native Americans. They arrived around 1000 BCE. Later, between 500 and 1000 CE, people known as Mound Builders lived near Delavan Lake. These Mound Builders were part of the Woodland culture. They built over 200 mounds along the shores of Delavan Lake. Many were on the north shore, where Lake Lawn Resort is today.

The Potawatomi Indians settled around the lake in the late 1700s. Some of their burial mounds are still preserved in Assembly Park.

From the mid-1600s to the mid-1700s, Delavan was part of "New France". After the French and Indian War, it became part of British rule in the Province of Quebec. Then, after the Treaty of Paris (1783), it became part of the United States. It was first part of the Northwest Territory.

American Era and Circus History

Illustration of the school for the deaf and surrounding area, published 1893

Between 1800 and 1836, the Delavan area was part of the Indiana Territory and then the Illinois Territory. In 1836, it became part of the Wisconsin Territory. Wisconsin became a state in 1848.

Delavan was a very important place for circuses between 1847 and 1894. About 26 circus companies made Delavan their home during this time. The Mabie Brothers U.S. Olympic Circus, which was the biggest in America, arrived in 1847. It was the first circus to spend its winters in Wisconsin. This circus had a famous elephant named "Romeo." Romeo was 10 and a half feet tall and weighed 10,500 pounds.

The original P. T. Barnum Circus was started here in 1871. It was organized by William C. Coup and Dan Costello. More than 130 people from Delavan's circus community are buried in Spring Grove and St. Andrew cemeteries.

On July 21, 1948, Delavan celebrated Wisconsin's Circus Centennial. This was part of the state's 100th birthday celebration. On May 2, 1966, the U.S. Post Office chose Delavan to release a special five-cent American Circus postage stamp.

Geography

Delavan is located at 42°39′N 88°38′W / 42.650°N 88.633°W / 42.650; -88.633.

The city covers a total area of about 7.22 square miles (18.70 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 6.76 square miles (17.51 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.46 square miles (1.19 square kilometers), is water.

Population Information

2010 Census Details

Art students at the State School for the Deaf, Delavan

In 2010, there were 8,463 people living in Delavan. There were 3,189 households. The population density was about 1,251.9 people per square mile.

The city's population was mostly White (81.2%). There were also African American (1.7%), Native American (0.7%), and Asian (1.0%) residents. About 12.7% of the people were from other races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 29.4% of the population.

The average age in the city was 33.5 years old. About 28.1% of residents were under 18 years old.

Economy

Delavan is an important center for manufacturing and industry in Walworth County. It is home to over 230 businesses. Some of these companies include Borg Indak, Pentair, Andes Candies, and Waukesha Cherry-Burrell.

The city also hosts several fun events throughout the year. These include the Delavan Train Show in March, Cinco de Mayo in May, and the Scarecrow Fest in September.

Education

The local school district in Delavan has two elementary schools. Students then go to Phoenix Middle School. After that, they attend Delavan Darien High School.

There are also three private schools in the city:

• St. Andrew's Parish School (Catholic)
• Our Redeemer Lutheran School
• Delavan Christian School (a school for different Christian groups)

The Wisconsin School for the Deaf is also located in Delavan.

Transportation

Delavan used to be a stop on a train line called the Racine & Southwestern branch. This line was part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. Today, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad still provides train service to Delavan.

Notable Buildings

Citizens Bank of Delavan

• This bank building was constructed in 1904.
• The bank itself was first started on March 14, 1875. It was founded by Thomas Perry James and his partners.

Notable Persons

Gallery

• 

  Downtown Delavan in the Fall

• 

  Looking West Towards Downtown

• 

  Delavan sign

• 

  Railroad tracks in Delavan

• 

  Water tower and Delavan's Vitrified Brick Street

See also

In Spanish: Delavan (Wisconsin) para niños