Gills Landing, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gills Landing, Wisconsin
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 Gills Landing, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Gills Landing, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Waupaca |
| Elevation | 229 m (751 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1577611 |
Gills Landing is a small, unincorporated community in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather a group of homes and businesses. Gills Landing is located in the town of Weyauwega.
This community is a popular spot for outdoor fun. It has a campground and a place called Gill's on the River, which is a bar and grill. Gills Landing sits right where the Wolf River meets the Waupaca River. You can find it at the very end of County Road F.
Most of Gills Landing is part of Decker Memorial County Park. Sometimes, during spring, the Wolf River can rise a lot, up to 14 feet! This can cause some of the roads in the community to flood.
Contents
Learning in Gills Landing
Students who live in Gills Landing attend schools in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
The Story of Gills Landing
How Gills Landing Started
Gills Landing got its name from a man named John Gill. He built this community in 1843 to help with all the boats traveling on the river. Back then, rivers were like highways! In 1852, a special road made of planks (wooden boards) was built to connect Gills Landing to the nearby town of Weyauwega.
The Amazing Swing Bridge
In 1871, a very important bridge was built just north of Gills Landing. It was a swing bridge, which means a part of it could swing open to let boats pass through. This bridge was built by the Portage, Winnebago, and Superior Railway.
Building the bridge was a huge achievement for the railway. It was finished on July 22, 1871, and the first train crossed it on September 30. This bridge helped connect the eastern and western parts of Wisconsin. It was 1,292 feet long and was the first railroad bridge ever built over the Wolf River. Later, in 1902, a train station (called a depot) was built there too. The swing bridge was updated and fixed up in 2010.
Gills Landing Today
Today, not many people live permanently in Gills Landing. The community is more focused on visitors and tourism. People come to enjoy the businesses and the boat landing, especially those who love being on the river.
