Whittlesey, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whittlesey, Wisconsin
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 Whittlesey, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Taylor |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.127 sq mi (2.92 km2) |
| • Land | 1.127 sq mi (2.92 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 105 |
| • Density | 93.2/sq mi (35.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1576708 |
Whittlesey is a small community located in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area identified by the government for counting people, but it's not officially a city or town. In 2010, about 105 people lived in Whittlesey.
Contents
Early History of Whittlesey
Whittlesey began in the 1870s. This was when the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company built its train tracks through the thick forests. The railroad was heading north towards a city called Ashland.
How Whittlesey Got Its Name
The railroad decided to put a train station about seven miles north of Medford. This spot was where the train line met the Little Black River. They named this new station Whittlesey. It was likely named after Asaph Whittlesey, who was an important state legislator from Ashland. A state legislator helps make laws for the state. It might also have been named after Charles Whittlesey, a geologist who studied the area. A geologist studies rocks and the Earth's history.
Sawmills and Local Businesses
Starting in the 1880s, several sawmills began operating in Whittlesey. Sawmills cut down trees and turn them into lumber. One sawmill built a large dam, 240 feet long, across the river. This dam created a 12-foot drop in water, which could power the mill.
Another sawmill was located about a mile and a half west of town. They used a special track made of hardwood poles to transport their cut lumber. They would haul the lumber on carts along this pole line to the Whittlesey station for shipping. There was also a brickyard in Whittlesey, which made bricks for building.
Growth and Decline of the Community
In 1892, a plan was made to create an official village of Whittlesey. This plan was started by G.W. and Emma Norton. A map from 1913 shows that the town had a train depot (station), a post office, and a blacksmith shop. These buildings were all facing the railroad tracks. The school was located on the southeast side of town.
Changes Over Time
However, as time went on, the trees in the area were mostly cut down. This meant that the sawmills nearby had to close. The town started to decline. Later, a new main highway was built, but it bypassed most of Whittlesey to the east. This meant fewer people would drive through the town. The train line, which was so important to the town's start, closed down in 1988.
Whittlesey Today
As of 2023, Whittlesey is a quiet community. It has a few homes spread out among the trees. It's just a short drive north of Medford. The old railroad tracks have been turned into a bike path called the Pine Line Trail. This trail now passes right through the area where the old railroad used to be.
See also
In Spanish: Whittlesey (Wisconsin) para niños
