Tomahawk, Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tomahawk
City
Looking east in downtown Tomahawk
Location of Tomahawk in Lincoln County, Wisconsin.
Tomahawk Location in Wisconsin
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Lincoln
Area
• Total	9.46 sq mi (24.50 km2)
• Land	7.85 sq mi (20.34 km2)
• Water	1.61 sq mi (4.16 km2)
Population  (2010)
• Total	3,397
• Estimate  (2019)	3,140
• Density	399.85/sq mi (154.38/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	54487
Area code(s)	715 & 534
FIPS code	55-80125

Tomahawk is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,346 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the northeast of the Town of Tomahawk and is not contiguous with it.

History

Before 1837, the land where Tomahawk is now situated belonged to the Ojibwe, who traded actively with fur traders such as the American Fur Company and the Northwest Company. After the 1837 cession, the practical situation changed only slightly: the federal survey teams had not arrived yet, logging activity was still light, and Ojibwe continued to actively occupy the general area. There was a village just north of the modern Tomahawk, in the vicinity of modern Bradley, and a village on Skanawan Creek. The 1854 Treaty of La Pointe created the reservations at Lac du Flambeau, Lac Courte Oreilles and Bad River. Even after this treaty, the region was largely public domain land and the treaties allowed the Ojibwe usufructory rights to hunt, fish, gather wild rice and make maple sugar. Some Ojibwe received their annuity payments in Wausau until the payments ended in 1874. By that time most Ojibwe were living permanently on the reservations.

Logging activity from the Tomahawk River upstream began about 1860 and surged after the Civil War. By 1880 several families were living close to Tomahawk-Wisconsin river confluence, including owning property within the present city limits of Tomahawk. The location was variously known as Bouchard's Station or The Forks,short for Forks of the Wisconsin.

Tomahawk traditionally traces its founding to the establishment of the construction camps for a dam and the railroad in 1886. The company leading the effort was the Tomahawk Land and Boom Company, headed by William H. Bradley, who is thus considered to be the principal founder of Tomahawk. The Tomahawk Land and Boom Company was owned 51 percent by the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul railroad, and 49 percent by the Land, Log and Lumber Company (Bradley and his partners). The dam was a large capital investment for the era, and was one of the largest in the world when it was completed. The town site was platted in 1887, with lots sold in Milwaukee that summer. The agent for the sale was Henry Payne. The city was incorporated in 1891. In the 10 years after the first construction camps were built, Tomahawk grew rapidly, boasting many stores, a three-story hotel, many saw mills, a paper mill, and service via three railroads.

Among the events highlighting Tomahawk's history since that time are:

• 1897: The first high school class graduates. Among the graduates is Margaret McBride, who achieves prominence as a vocalist in New York City.
• 1906: William T. Bradley, future mayor and adopted son of the city's founder, brings the first automobile to the town.
• 1914: The first airplane lands on north Tomahawk Avenue, there being no other runway yet.
• 1917: Tomahawk men enlist and form Company A, 119th Machine Gun Battalion, which is deployed to Europe via Waco, Texas.
• 1929: The iconic Mitchell Hotel burns down, nearly taking the entire downtown with it. A new pump brought in from the Phillips fire department is the only thing that saves the day.
• 1936: Tomahawk celebrates its 50th anniversary. The activities include a visit by Governor Philip La Follette.
• 1941: The United States declares war on Japan, and many Tomahawk young men and women enlist in military and other service.
• 1951: Einar Ingman is awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in Korea.
• 1976: Governor Patrick Lucey visits to simultaneously dedicate a large new paper machine at the kraft mill (then owned by Owens-Illinois) as well as Highway 86 bridge.
• 1986: Tomahawk celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Geography

Tomahawk is located at 45°28′28″N 89°43′53″W / 45.47444°N 89.73139°W / 45.47444; -89.73139 (45.474463, -89.731454).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.34 square miles (24.19 km²), of which, 7.76 square miles (20.10 km²) is land and 1.58 square miles (4.09 km²) is water.

Tomahawk lies at an elbow shaped bend in the Wisconsin River. There the water is dammed, forming Lake Mohawksin. Mohawksin is a concatenation of the last syllable of the three rivers that flow into it – the Somo, the Tomahawk and the Wisconsin.

Climate

The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).

Activities

Tomahawk hosts many activities and events, especially in the summer. Among the events are:

• The Tomahawk Fall Ride
• Pow-wow Days (Independence Day celebration)
• Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School

Tomahawk is home to the Kwahamot Water Ski Club, who perform regularly throughout the summer and periodically host competitive events.

Demographics

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 3,397 people, 1,480 households and 875 families in the city. The population density was 437.8 per square mile (169.0/km²). There were 1,742 housing units at an average density of 224.5 per square mile (86.7/km²). The racial makeup was 96.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,480 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age was 44.8 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

Airport

Tomahawk is served by the Tomahawk Regional Airport (KTKV). Located three miles west of the city, the airport handles approximately 7,200 operations per year, with roughly 97% general aviation and 3% air taxi. The airport has a 4,401 foot asphalt runway with approved GPS approaches (Runway 9-27).

Education

Tomahawk is served by the Tomahawk School District and its three public schools:

• Tomahawk Elementary School
• Tomahawk Middle School
• Tomahawk High School

There is also a Catholic school: St. Mary's Catholic School.

Transportation

Tomahawk is served by the Tomahawk Regional Airport (KTKV). Located three miles west of the city, the airport handles approximately 7,200 operations per year, with roughly 97% general aviation and 3% air taxi. The airport has a 4,401 foot asphalt runway with approved GPS approaches (Runway 9-27).

Notable people

See also

In Spanish: Tomahawk (Wisconsin) para niños