Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the popular Midwestern tourist destination. For the gorge on the Wisconsin River, see Dells of the Wisconsin River.

Quick facts for kids Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
City
Downtown Wisconsin Dells looking west
Nickname(s): The Dells, The Waterpark Capital of the World
Location of Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Counties	Columbia Sauk Adams Juneau
Founded	1857
Renamed	1931
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	8.18 sq mi (21.19 km²)
• Land	7.84 sq mi (20.3 km²)
• Water	0.34 sq mi (0.89 km²)
Elevation	909 ft (277 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	2,942
• Density	375.3/sq mi (144.9/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Code	53965
Area code(s)	608
FIPS code	55-88150
GNIS feature ID	1576900

Wisconsin Dells is a city in the state of Wisconsin, USA. It is located across four different counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. This city is a very popular place for tourists in the Midwest. It is famous for its many water parks and other fun attractions. In 2020, about 2,942 people lived in Wisconsin Dells.

The city gets its name from the Dells of the Wisconsin River. This is a beautiful gorge (a deep, narrow valley) with amazing sandstone formations. These formations were shaped by glaciers long ago. Wisconsin Dells is about 42 miles (68 km) northwest of Madison, which is the capital city of Wisconsin.

History of Wisconsin Dells
- Founding Kilbourn City
- How Tourism Began
Geography and Climate
- Weather in Wisconsin Dells
Economy and Fun Attractions
- Famous "Duck" Tours
- Waterpark Capital of the World
Education
Media
Transportation
Notable People from Wisconsin Dells
Images for kids
Sister City
See also

History of Wisconsin Dells

The word "Dells" comes from a French word, dalles. This word means "rapids" or "narrows" in a river. Early French explorers used this term to describe the river here.

Wisconsin Dells is built on land that once belonged to the Ho-Chunk and Menominee Native American tribes. The Ho-Chunk people called this area Nįįš hakiisųc, which means "rocks close together."

The United States government gained control of this land through treaties with the Ho-Chunk nation in 1837 and the Menominee in 1848. However, many Ho-Chunk people continued to live in the area and eventually bought small pieces of land.

Founding Kilbourn City

The city of Wisconsin Dells was started in 1856. It was first called Kilbourn City. It was named after Byron Kilbourn, who was the president of a railroad company. This company was building a railroad to connect Milwaukee and La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The railroad's path caused some arguments. Many people thought the railroad would cross the river two miles south. They had already built a town there called Newport. When the railroad chose a different path in 1857, Newport quickly became a ghost town. People moved their homes and even a church from Newport to Kilbourn City.

In 1859, lumbermen destroyed a new dam in Kilbourn City. This dam was blocking the way for their timber rafts (logs tied together) floating down the river.

How Tourism Began

The beautiful Dells of the Wisconsin River

Kilbourn City quickly became a popular place to visit. People loved the beautiful scenery of the Dells of the Wisconsin River. It was also easy to get there by train.

In 1856, a man named Leroy Gates started giving boat tours of the Dells. He also told railroad travelers about the town. At first, he used wooden rowboats. Later, in 1873, he launched two bigger boats called Modocawanda and Dell Queen.

Gates also had a photography studio. He sold it to a photographer named H. H. Bennett in 1865. Bennett took many famous photos of the sandstone formations. He also took pictures of local Ho-Chunk people in traditional clothing. His photos were shared all over the United States. They helped make Kilbourn City a famous place for tourists. Today, the H. H. Bennett Studio is a historic site you can visit.

In 1909, the Kilbourn Dam was built across the Wisconsin River. It was made to create hydroelectricity (power from water). This dam separated the Dells into the Upper and Lower Dells.

In 1928, Mr. Clinton Berry opened Berry's Dells airport. He wanted to bring more visitors to the Dells by plane.

Kilbourn City changed its name to "Kilbourn" in 1895. Then, in 1931, it changed its name again to Wisconsin Dells. This new name connected the city directly to the famous natural Dells.

In 1952, a popular show called "Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show" came to Lake Delton. It was a huge success, so the owner, Tommy Bartlett, decided to keep the show in Wisconsin Dells permanently. He gave out bumper stickers to advertise his show and the city. This helped spread the word about the area across the country. This show closed in 2020.

Soon, more attractions, hotels, shops, and restaurants opened. Today, many water parks are a big part of the city's economy.

Geography and Climate

The Kilbourn Hydroelectric dam on the Wisconsin River

Wisconsin Dells covers about 8.18 square miles (21.19 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water. The city is mainly in Columbia County. However, it also stretches into parts of Juneau, Adams, and Sauk counties.

Weather in Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold winters.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in Wisconsin Dells. On July 13, 1936, the temperature reached 114°F (46°C).

Economy and Fun Attractions

An amphibious DUKW vehicle, called a "duck," in Wisconsin Dells

Tourism is the most important part of Wisconsin Dells' economy. The Dells area has many indoor and outdoor waterparks. It even calls itself the "Waterpark Capital of the World."

There are many other fun things to do besides waterparks. You can take boat tours, try zip-lining, play golf or mini golf, race go-karts, or go horseback riding. There are also museums and amusement parks. Most of these attractions are on a road called the Wisconsin Dells Parkway, also known as "The Strip."

You can find all kinds of places to stay. There are affordable motels, RV parks, chain hotels, and big resorts. Many resorts have their own indoor and outdoor waterparks.

Famous "Duck" Tours

Amphibious vehicles called "ducks" started giving tours in Wisconsin Dells in 1946. These vehicles can drive on land and float on water. The tours go on wilderness trails and then enter nearby Lake Delton and the Wisconsin River. One company, Original Wisconsin Ducks, has over 90 vehicles. It is the biggest duck tour operator in the United States.

Waterpark Capital of the World

Since the late 1970s, the Dells area has become famous for its waterparks. Noah's Ark Waterpark opened in Lake Delton in 1979. It is now one of the largest and most visited waterparks in the U.S. Other outdoor parks followed, with water slides, mini golf, roller coasters, and go-karts.

The Polynesian Resort Hotel opened the first indoor waterpark in the Dells area in 1994. After that, many more resorts with indoor waterparks were built. Each new park tries to have the newest and most exciting water slides.

The five biggest resorts in the Dells with large indoor waterparks are:

In 2005, Big Chief Karts and Coasters joined with Family Land Waterpark and Treasure Island Hotel. This created a huge theme park called Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. It has roller coasters, go-karts, and water slides. It also has an indoor waterpark and an indoor theme park.

The Tanger Outlet Center opened in 2006. It replaced a greyhound dog racing track that closed because of competition from the nearby Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino.

Education

The Wisconsin Dells School District serves the city. It operates Wisconsin Dells High School.

Media

Wisconsin Dells has a local newspaper called Wisconsin Dells Events. It also has two local radio stations, WNNO and WDLS.

Transportation

The Wisconsin Dells station

Greyhound Lines offers bus service to Wisconsin Dells. You can travel to other cities in Wisconsin and other states.

The Empire Builder and Borealis trains, run by Amtrak, also stop daily at the Wisconsin Dells Amtrak station. This station was built in the 1980s. Freight (cargo) trains also use the tracks.