Belgium (town), Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Town of Belgium, Wisconsin
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Location of Town of Belgium in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Ozaukee |
| Incorporated | 1848 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.8 sq mi (95.3 km2) |
| • Land | 35.7 sq mi (92.6 km2) |
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 774 ft (236 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 1,513 |
| • Density | 42.3/sq mi (16.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 262 |
The Town of Belgium is a community in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2000, about 1,513 people lived there. The Village of Belgium is a separate small town completely surrounded by the Town of Belgium.
Several smaller communities are also part of the town. These include Decker, Holy Cross, Lake Church, and Sauk Trail Beach. There's even a "ghost town" called Stonehaven here. Part of the community of Dacada is also in the town.
Starting in the 1840s, many farmers from Luxembourg moved to this area. They settled in places like Dacada, Holy Cross, and Lake Church. The Town of Belgium is mostly a farming area. It has over 18,000 acres of farmland, which is the most in Ozaukee County.
Contents
History of Belgium, Wisconsin
Early Settlers and the Town's Beginning
Long ago, Native American tribes like the Menominee lived in this area. They gave up the land that would become Belgium to the U.S. government in 1832.
In the late 1840s, families from Luxembourg began to settle here. In 1848, the Town of Belgium was officially created. It was formed from a larger area called the Town of Port Washington.
Growth with Railroads and Interurban Lines
In 1872, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway started running trains through Belgium. This helped the town grow and more people moved in.
Later, from 1908 to 1948, an electric train line called the Milwaukee Interurban Line also stopped in Belgium. It connected Milwaukee and Sheboygan. People started living closer to the train station. In 1922, the Village of Belgium became its own separate town.
Stonehaven Quarry and Its Legacy
From 1901 to 1925, a company called Lake Shore Stone operated a quarry in the Town of Belgium. This quarry was where Harrington Beach State Park is now. There was a small town for the workers called Stonehaven. Many workers were immigrants from Luxembourg and other European countries.
When the quarry closed, some of the houses from Stonehaven were moved to the Village of Belgium. You can still see the old building foundations in the state park today.
Geography of the Town of Belgium
Location and Surrounding Areas
The Town of Belgium covers about 36.8 square miles (95.3 square kilometers). Most of it is land, with a small part being water. The Village of Belgium is located in the middle of the town.
The town shares borders with other communities. To the north is the Town of Holland. To the east is Lake Michigan. The Town of Port Washington is to the south, and the Town of Fredonia is to the west.
Natural Landscape and Features
Belgium is in an area shaped by glaciers from the last ice age. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources calls it the Central Lake Michigan Coastal area. Along the Lake Michigan shore, you'll find sandy and gravel beaches.
Before settlers arrived, much of Belgium was covered in forests. These forests had trees like American beech and sugar maple. There were also swamps with white cedar and tamarack trees near the Onion River, Sauk Creek, and Sucker Creek. Most of these forests were cleared for farming.
Farming and Wetlands
Today, a lot of the Town of Belgium is still farmland. In 2000, there were over 18,000 acres of farms. This is the most farmland in any community in Ozaukee County.
The town also has many restored wetlands. In 2002, over 126 acres of wetlands had been brought back to life. These wetlands are important for the environment.
Wildlife and Natural Habitats
You might see large animals like white-tailed deer, coyotes, and red foxes in Belgium. The town is also a great place for birds. It has the Belgium Waterfowl Production Area and the Cedar Grove Waterfowl Production Area.
Harrington Beach State Park is another important bird area. It's on the shore of Lake Michigan. The open fields in the park are a breeding ground for upland sandpipers.
Challenges with Invasive Species
Like many places, Belgium faces problems with invasive species. These are plants and animals that are not native to the area and can harm the local environment. Some examples include the emerald ash borer (a beetle that harms ash trees) and plants like reed canary grass and purple loosestrife. These invasive plants can take over wetlands and other natural areas.
People of Belgium, Wisconsin
Population and Demographics
In 2009, there were about 2,008 people living in the Town of Belgium. The population density was about 42.3 people per square mile. Most of the people living here were White.
About 27% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 39 years. This means half the people were younger than 39 and half were older.
Culture and Heritage
Luxembourgian Roots
Northern Ozaukee County, including Belgium, was a major settlement area for people from Luxembourg in the 1800s. The town and village still have strong ties to the country of Luxembourg.
Since 1977, the Luxembourg American Cultural Society & Center has been in the village. It helps Americans with Luxembourgian family history get dual citizenship. It also offers tours of Luxembourg and has a museum about Luxembourgian history in the U.S. Each year since 1987, they hold a Luxembourg Fest with traditional foods.
Catholic Traditions
Many Luxembourgers who settled here were Catholic. They built Catholic churches in the countryside. The communities of Dacada, Holy Cross, and Lake Church grew around these churches.
Today, the Divine Savior Catholic Congregation manages the Catholic churches in the Town of Belgium. They also run a school for younger students in Fredonia.
Education in Belgium
The Town of Belgium is served by three different school districts. These are the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District, the Northern Ozaukee School District, and the Random Lake School District.
Students in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District attend schools in Cedar Grove. The Northern Ozaukee School District serves students in Fredonia and Newburg, as well as parts of Belgium. Students in this district go to Ozaukee Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. The Random Lake School District also serves some students from Belgium.
Transportation in Belgium
Major Roads
Interstate 43 runs north and south through the eastern part of the town. You can get on or off the highway at Exit 107.
Public Transportation
Ozaukee County Transit Services offers a Shared Ride Taxi for Belgium residents. This service works like a ride-sharing app. You call ahead to schedule your pick-up time and destination. The taxi service then plans its routes based on where everyone needs to go.
Trails and Rail Lines
The Ozaukee Interurban Trail is a path for walking and biking. It goes through Belgium and connects the town to nearby places like Port Washington and Cedar Grove. The trail continues north to Oostburg and south to Milwaukee County.
The Union Pacific Railroad also has a freight train line that runs next to the Interurban Trail. However, Belgium does not have a passenger train station for people to ride trains.
Parks and Recreation
Harrington Beach State Park
Harrington Beach State Park is the only state park in Ozaukee County. It's located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Town of Belgium. This large park covers 715 acres.
The park has a white cedar and hardwood swamp, grasslands, and restored wetland ponds. There's also a flooded limestone quarry that is now a 26-acre lake with fish. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, a nature center, picnic areas, a beach, and a campground.
Forest Beach Migratory Preserve
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust takes care of the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve. This 116-acre nature preserve is along Lake Michigan in the southern part of the town. It used to be a golf course.
The preserve has hardwood forests, grasslands, and restored wetlands. It also has a nature center. This area is a very important habitat for birds that travel along the Great Lakes shores.
Ozaukee Interurban Trail
The Ozaukee Interurban Trail runs right through the town. This trail follows the old path of the Milwaukee Interurban Rail Line. It's a great place for walking, running, and biking.
The trail starts in Brown Deer to the south and goes all the way north to Oostburg in Sheboygan County. It connects Belgium to its neighbors, Port Washington and Cedar Grove.
Notable People from Belgium
- Fred L. Feierstein, a Wisconsin state legislator, lived in the town.
- John J. Jungers, a Wisconsin state legislator, was born in the town.
- Louis L. Pierron, a Wisconsin state legislator, was born in the town.
See also
In Spanish: Belgium (condado de Ozaukee, Wisconsin) para niños
