Hebron, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hebron, Wisconsin
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Location of Hebron, Wisconsin
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Jefferson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.9 sq mi (75.0 km2) |
| • Land | 28.8 sq mi (74.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 820 ft (250 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,043 |
| • Density | 36.09/sq mi (13.907/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| FIPS code | 55-33700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1583375 |
Hebron is a small town located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, in the United States. It's a quiet place where about 1,043 people lived as of the 2020 census. The area known as Hebron is part of this larger town.
Contents
History of Hebron
Hebron has a fascinating history, starting with its very first settlers.
Early Beginnings and the Bark River Mills
The story of Hebron began on December 20, 1835. A group called the Rock River Claim Company made a claim on land near the Bark River. This land was special because it had a good spot for a water-powered mill.
The company had sixteen members, including famous names like Solomon Juneau. In 1836, they started building a sawmill. It was tough work because supplies were expensive and hard to transport.
Despite the challenges, the mill was finished in late 1836 and early 1837. It began operating in the spring of 1837 and was known as the Bark River Mills. The company owned the mill until 1839. Later, in 1844, Joseph Powers bought it.
Near the mill, the first framed building in the county was built in 1837. It was a mill house.
First Settlers and Lumbering
Around the same time, Horace Churchell, Cyrus Cushman, Samuel M. Jones, and Darius F. Jones settled near the mills. They focused mostly on lumbering, which is cutting down trees for wood. They didn't do much farming at first.
For a few years, until 1842, the town was mainly visited by people from nearby areas who needed lumber. Native Americans also used the woods in winter to hunt deer. In 1842, more people started to settle in the area.
How Hebron Got Its Name
The process of naming Hebron was quite interesting!
Dividing the Land
In 1846, the government decided to divide the large area known as Bark River into smaller towns. These new towns were Sullivan, Palmyra, and Tunbridge. Tunbridge included what is now the northern part of Hebron and eastern Jefferson.
This division caused some arguments among the people of Bark River. Residents on the east side of the Bark River and those on the west side disagreed about where the main center of the town should be.
A Compromise and New Towns
Eventually, people decided to divide the towns differently. A petition was signed to split Tunbridge and Bark River. The southern half of Tunbridge and the east part of Bark River would form one town. The west part of Bark River would form another. The northern half of Tunbridge would join Jefferson.
This plan worked, and new laws were passed. But then came the big question: what to name the new towns? Everyone had ideas!
The Singing School Story
One rainy night, a meeting was supposed to happen at the Munroe school house to choose a name. Only three people showed up: Samuel T. Clothier, William R. Case, and J.R. Van Norman.
They were all singers, and to pass the time, they started singing from the songbooks left in the school. They sang a tune called "Hebron" over and over. Samuel Clothier liked the tune and thought "Hebron" would be a good name for their new town. The others agreed!
News spread that "Hebron" was the chosen name, and people liked it. So, the name became official. The town of Cold Spring was also created and named at the same time. The names Bark River and Tunbridge for towns disappeared.
The First Town Meeting
The very first town meeting for the town of Hebron was held on April 7, 1847. Samuel T. Clothier, Enos J. Higbee, and Seth Peter were chosen as supervisors. Seth Peter also served as the town clerk.
Geography and Location
Hebron covers an area of about 28.9 square miles (75.0 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 28.8 square miles (74.7 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.3 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
Hebron is a small community. Here's a look at its population over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 1,135 | — | |
| 2010 | 1,094 | −3.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,043 | −4.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,135 people living in Hebron. Most of the people were White (98.68%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were also of Hispanic or Latino background.
Many households in Hebron had children under 18 living with them (39.9%). Most families were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.86 people.
The population of Hebron includes people of all ages. In 2000, about 28.7% of the people were under 18. About 9.4% were 65 years old or older. The average age of people in Hebron was 37 years.
Notable People from Hebron
- Jonas Folts was a farmer and a legislator (someone who makes laws) who lived in the town of Hebron.
Images for kids
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Hebron Town Hall
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Map showing Hebron, Wisconsin
See also
In Spanish: Hebron (condado de Jefferson, Wisconsin) para niños
