Florence (town), Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence, Wisconsin
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 Florence (town), Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Florence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 157.7 sq mi (408.4 km2) |
| • Land | 153.6 sq mi (397.9 km2) |
| • Water | 4.0 sq mi (10.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,450 ft (442 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 2,319 |
| • Density | 15.1/sq mi (5.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| FIPS code | 55-26200 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1583207 |
| Website | http://www.townofflorencewisconsin.com |
Florence is a town in Florence County, Wisconsin, United States. In the year 2000, about 2,319 people lived here. The town's ZIP code is 54121. Florence is also the name of a smaller community within the town. This community is the main town of Florence County. Other small communities like Hematite, Pulp, Ridgetop, Spread Eagle, and Tyran are also part of the town.
Contents
History of Florence
Long ago, the area around Florence belonged to the Menominee people. They used it for hunting and trapping. Then, in the 1870s, people discovered iron here. The Florence Mine was found in October 1874 by H. D. Fisher.
The mine was named in 1879 after Florence Terry Hulst. She was the wife of Nelson Powell Hulst, an important person in the mining industry.
We all wish to call the new town and the mine Florence, to honor the first white woman who had courage enough to settle (for a while) in that rugged country.
I mean the first white woman known to us.
Will you permit your name to be used?
Later, the entire county was also named Florence.
Geography and Location
Florence is located in Wisconsin. The total area of the town is about 157.7 square miles (408.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water. About 80% of the land is covered by forests.
Main Roads
- US 2 runs through Florence.
- US 141 also goes through the town, joining with US 2. These roads lead north to Crystal Falls and south to Iron Mountain.
- Wisconsin Highway 70 heads west from Florence towards Eagle River.
People of Florence
In 2000, Florence had 2,319 people living in 963 households. Most people (98.10%) were White. A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 27.4% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in Florence was 42 years old.
Economy and Jobs
Many people who live in Florence work in nearby cities like Iron Mountain and Kingsford, Michigan.
The main industry in Florence is logging, which means cutting down trees for wood. Florence is also a popular place for outdoor activities. It has the largest system of trails for ATVs and snowmobiles in Wisconsin. People also love to visit Florence for fishing, hunting, and camping.
Around 1889, a large paper mill was built in the town. It was considered one of the biggest in the United States at the time.
Schools in Florence
Students in Florence attend Florence High School. It is the public high school for the area.
Famous People from Florence
- C. E. McIntosh was a Wisconsin State Representative who lived in Florence.
- Charles White Whittlesey was born in Florence. He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in World War I.
See also
In Spanish: Florence (Wisconsin) para niños
