Jim Falls, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Falls, Wisconsin
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Census-designated place
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 Jim Falls, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Chippewa |
| Town | Anson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.735 sq mi (1.90 km2) |
| • Land | 0.606 sq mi (1.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.129 sq mi (0.33 km2) |
| Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 237 |
| • Density | 322.4/sq mi (124.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
54748
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| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1567178 |
Jim Falls is a small community in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States. It is known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes.
Contents
About Jim Falls
Jim Falls is located along the Chippewa River. It sits northeast of a larger city called Chippewa Falls. The community is part of the town of Anson.
Jim Falls has its own post office with the ZIP code 54748. In 2010, about 237 people lived there.
History of Jim Falls
How Jim Falls Got Its Name
The community of Jim Falls is named after a man named James Ermatinger. In 1840, he set up a trading post near some waterfalls. These falls were first called "Vermillion Falls." James Ermatinger became very active in the local community and county.
In 1854, he helped plan a road from Chippewa Falls to Vermillion Falls. He also worked as a Justice of the Peace for Chippewa County in 1855.
The Story of Old Abe the Eagle
In the spring of 1861, an eagle chick was found near the South Fork of the Flambeau River. This area is now part of the Chequamegon National Forest. An Indigenous man named Ahgamahwegezhig found the eaglet.
A few weeks later, he traveled down the Chippewa River for trading. At Jim Falls, he met Daniel McCann. Ahgamahwegezhig sold the eagle to McCann for a bushel of corn. McCann then sold the eagle to soldiers from the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
This eagle became their special animal, or mascot, named Old Abe. Old Abe went with the soldiers during many battles of the Civil War.
Old Abe's Legacy in Jim Falls
Because of this important connection, the lake behind the local dam is now called "Old Abe Lake." Also, there is a park in Jim Falls along the Old Abe State Trail. In this park, you can see a large statue of Old Abe. It is 10½ feet tall and stands near the dam.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 237 | — | |
| 2020 | 231 | −2.5% | |
The number of people living in Jim Falls has stayed fairly steady. In 2010, there were 237 residents. By 2020, the population was 231.
Geography and River Features
The town of Jim Falls grew up around a part of the Chippewa River that had many rapids and waterfalls. Today, these natural features are used to create electricity. A hydroelectric facility (a power plant that uses water to make electricity) is operated there.
Even with the dam, you can still see many interesting rock formations in the riverbed below the dam.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Falls para niños
