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Siren, Wisconsin
Siren along Wisconsin Highway 35 / 70, co-signed.
Siren along Wisconsin Highway 35 / 70, co-signed.
Location of Siren in Burnett County, Wisconsin.
Location of Siren in Burnett County, Wisconsin.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Burnett
Area
 • Total 1.23 sq mi (3.19 km2)
 • Land 1.20 sq mi (3.10 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
965 ft (294 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 806
 • Estimate 
(2019)
774
 • Density 646.08/sq mi (249.36/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
54872
Area code(s) 715 & 534
FIPS code 55-74200
GNIS feature ID 1584164

Siren is a small village located in Burnett County, Wisconsin. It is the main town, or county seat, of Burnett County. In 2010, about 806 people lived there. The village of Siren is surrounded by the larger Town of Siren.

History of Siren

Early Inhabitants and Fur Trade

In the early 1800s, the main people living in the Siren area were the Ojibwe (an Indigenous group) and French fur traders. These traders traveled through the wilderness, exchanging goods for animal furs.

Swedish Settlers and the Village Name

Swedish immigrants started to settle in the Siren area in the 1880s. Many of them belonged to the Evangelical Covenant Church. The first post office opened in 1895, about a mile west of where it is today.

The first postmaster was Charles F. Segerstrom. He ran the post office from his home. His home was surrounded by many beautiful lilac bushes. Segerstrom wanted to name the place "Syren," which is the Swedish word for "lilac."

However, the postal department likely thought "Syren" was a mistake. So, when they approved the name, they spelled it "Siren."

Railroad and Gandy Dancer Trail

In 1912, the center of the town moved closer to the Soo Line Railroad tracks. These tracks went north through the area to cities like Superior and Duluth.

Later, the railroad tracks were removed. But the path they left behind became a fun trail for people to use. It is now called the Gandy Dancer State Trail. This trail is very popular for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling.

Rebuilding After the 2001 Tornado

On June 18, 2001, a very strong tornado hit Siren. It caused a lot of damage to the village. About 175 buildings were completely destroyed, and many more were damaged.

Since that time, the people of Siren have worked hard to rebuild their town. The new buildings often show off Siren's history and unique style.

Geography of Siren

Siren is located at 45°47′1″N 92°22′48″W / 45.78361°N 92.38000°W / 45.78361; -92.38000.

The village covers an area of about 1.28 square miles (3.32 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.24 square miles (3.21 square kilometers), is land. A smaller part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 square kilometers), is water.

Siren is surrounded by several beautiful lakes. These include Big Doctor Lake, Clam Lake, Crooked Lake, Fish Lake, and Long Lake.

Population Information

Historical population
Census Pop.
1950 613
1960 679 10.8%
1970 639 −5.9%
1980 896 40.2%
1990 863 −3.7%
2000 988 14.5%
2010 806 −18.4%
2019 (est.) 774 −4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Siren's Population in 2010

According to the 2010 census, Siren had a population of 806 people. This means there were about 631 people living in each square mile.

Most of the people living in Siren were white (90%). There were also smaller groups of American Indian or Alaska native people (4.1%). About 4.8% of the residents were from two or more racial backgrounds. Around 2.4% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

The population included people of all ages. About 7.1% were under 5 years old, and 6.8% were between 10 and 14 years old. Many older adults also lived in Siren, with 4.7% being 75 to 79 years old.

Transportation in Siren

Main Roads

Several important highways pass through Siren, making it easy to travel to and from the village:

  • WIS 35.svg Wisconsin Highway 35 – This road is also known as 2nd Avenue within Siren.
  • WIS 70.svg Wisconsin Highway 70
  • WIS County B.svg Burnett County Road B

Local Airport

The Burnett County Airport (KRZN) helps connect Siren and the nearby communities. It serves as a local airport for the area.

Notable People from Siren

  • Molly Engstrom – She is a famous USA hockey player. She competed in the Olympics in 2006 and 2010.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Siren (Wisconsin) para niños

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