Peshtigo, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peshtigo
|
|
|---|---|
|
City
|
|
Peshtigo from former U.S. Route 41
|
|
Location of Peshtigo in Marinette County, Wisconsin
|
|
 Peshtigo
Location in Wisconsin
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Marinette |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.08 sq mi (7.99 km2) |
| • Land | 2.91 sq mi (7.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.17 sq mi (0.44 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 3,420 |
| • Density | 1,148.30/sq mi (443.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-62175 |
Peshtigo (pronounced PESH-ti-go) is a city in Marinette County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2020, about 3,420 people lived there. The city is surrounded by the Town of Peshtigo. It is part of the larger Marinette, WI–MI area.
Peshtigo is famous for a terrible event in its history. In 1871, it was the site of the Peshtigo fire. This was the deadliest forest fire in American history. More than 1,200 people lost their lives.
Contents
History of Peshtigo
What Does "Peshtigo" Mean?
The name Peshtigo comes from the nearby Peshtigo River. No one is completely sure what "Peshtigo" means. Some people think it's an Ojibwe word. It might mean 'river of the wild goose'. Others believe it's a Menominee word for 'snapping turtle'. It could also mean 'passing through a marsh'. Another idea is that it refers to a local Menominee group called Pesh-tiko.
The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871
On October 8, 1871, a huge forest fire swept through Peshtigo. Strong winds made the fire spread very quickly. It completely destroyed Peshtigo and many other small villages. This fire, known as the Peshtigo fire, was the deadliest in American history. It killed between 1,200 and 2,500 people. The fire also burned about 1.5 million acres (6,000 square kilometers) of land.
Many people who died could not be identified. Their remains were buried together in a large grave. This grave is at the Peshtigo Fire Cemetery. You can visit the Peshtigo Fire Museum to learn more. The museum has items that survived the fire. It also shows other important things from the area's past.
It's interesting that this fire happened on the same day as other big fires. These included the Great Chicago fire, the Holland, Michigan fire, and the Great Michigan Fire.
Geography and Climate
Where is Peshtigo Located?
Peshtigo is located at 45 degrees, 3 minutes, 13 seconds North latitude. It is also at 87 degrees, 44 minutes, 45 seconds West longitude.
The city covers a total area of about 3.20 square miles (8.29 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.03 square miles (7.85 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers) is water.
Peshtigo's Weather
Peshtigo has a climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Winter (December-February): Average high temperatures are around 25-30°F (-4 to -1°C). Lows can drop to 9-10°F (-13 to -12°C). There is usually a lot of snow.
- Spring (March-May): Temperatures slowly warm up. Highs range from 38°F (3°C) in March to 65°F (18°C) in May.
- Summer (June-August): This is the warmest time of year. Average high temperatures are around 75-80°F (24-27°C). It can get much hotter, sometimes over 100°F (38°C).
- Fall (September-November): Temperatures cool down. Highs go from 70°F (21°C) in September to 43°F (6°C) in November.
Peshtigo gets a good amount of rain throughout the year. Snowfall is common in winter, with over 10 inches (25 cm) in January and December.
People of Peshtigo
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Peshtigo has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 1,719 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,975 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,440 | −27.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,579 | 9.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,947 | 23.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,279 | 17.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,504 | 9.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,836 | 13.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,807 | −1.0% | |
| 1990 | 3,154 | 12.4% | |
| 2000 | 3,357 | 6.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,502 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,420 | −2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Peshtigo? (2020 Census)
In 2020, Peshtigo had 3,420 people and 1,413 households. The average age of people in Peshtigo was 37 years old.
Most people in Peshtigo (46%) have German family roots. Other groups include:
Most residents (3,213 people) are White. There are also 71 Latino or Hispanic residents, 34 Asian residents, 20 Native American residents, and 3 Black African residents.
Education and Jobs
The average income in Peshtigo is about $65,428. Many people have a high school degree (32%). About 18.9% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Most workers (66.3%) in Peshtigo work for private companies. Some people are self-employed (13.2%). Others work for non-profit organizations (14.2%) or for the government (6.3%).
The average rent in Peshtigo is $662 per month. Most rents (89.4%) are between $500 and $999.
Education in Peshtigo
The Peshtigo School District provides public education for students in the area.
- Peshtigo Elementary Learning Center (PELC): This public school teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade.
- Peshtigo Middle/High School: This public school teaches students from 7th to 12th grade.
In total, the public schools in the district have about 1,250 students.
There is also a private school:
- St. John Lutheran School: This school teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade. It is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Peshtigo in Pop Culture
Peshtigo has been mentioned in popular culture:
- TV Show: The fictional character Caroline Duffy from the TV show Caroline in the City was said to be from Peshtigo. The city was mentioned many times on the show.
- Book: The historical novel The Peshtigo Greenhorn was published in 2013 by Ruth H. Maxwell. This book tells a fictional story about the Peshtigo fire.
Gallery
-
Sign depicting Peshtigo name and population
-
The Peshtigo River in downtown Peshtigo
-
Peshtigo Middle / High School
See also
In Spanish: Peshtigo (Wisconsin) para niños
