kids encyclopedia robot

Wittenberg, Wisconsin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Wittenberg, Wisconsin
Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Location of Wittenberg in Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Location of Wittenberg in Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Shawano
Area
 • Total 1.81 sq mi (4.69 km2)
 • Land 1.81 sq mi (4.69 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
873 ft (266 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 1,081
 • Estimate 
(2019)
988
 • Density 545.25/sq mi (210.54/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
54499-9033
Area code(s) 715 & 534
FIPS code 55-88350
GNIS feature ID 1576924
Website http://www.villageofwittenberg.com

Wittenberg is a village in Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,081 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Wittenberg.

History

In 1886, the Wittenberg Indian School was established by the Norwegian Evangelical Church of America after a purchase of land in Winnebago traditional territory. This was a residential school for Native American children who the government removed from their families as part of an effort to assimilate Native Americans into white American culture. It was also known as the Bethany Indian Mission. Initial attempts to recruit students for the school were met with resistance, particularly from Winnebago "medicine men" who the missionaries believed were concerned about their intention to convert the children to Christianity. The school initially only taught a few children but eventually expanded to include over a hundred students who came from the Winnebago, Oneida, Stockbridge, Brothertown, Menominee, Mohawk and Chippewa. The school was sold to the government in 1900 and operated until 1917, when it was closed because of the First World War. After the closure of the federal school, the mission continued educating Native children, eventually educating up to 140 students with only four members of staff, as well as baptizing hundreds of local Native people. The high student to staff ratio was typical of overcrowded Indian schools, as documented by the Merriam Report.

A post office called Wittenberg has been in operation since 1880. The village was named after Wittenberg in Germany.

Geography

Wittenberg is located at 44°49′25″N 89°10′2″W / 44.82361°N 89.16722°W / 44.82361; -89.16722 (44.823795, -89.167328).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.79 square miles (4.64 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 726
1900 798 9.9%
1910 1,090 36.6%
1920 854 −21.7%
1930 863 1.1%
1940 900 4.3%
1950 874 −2.9%
1960 892 2.1%
1970 895 0.3%
1980 997 11.4%
1990 1,145 14.8%
2000 1,177 2.8%
2010 1,081 −8.2%
2019 (est.) 988 −8.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
WittenbergWisconsinWateTower
Water tower

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,081 people, 427 households, and 231 families living in the village. The population density was 603.9 inhabitants per square mile (233.2/km2). There were 495 housing units at an average density of 276.5 per square mile (106.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.3% White, 3.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 5.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1% of the population.

There were 427 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.9% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the village was 42.2 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 25.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

Economy

  • Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats

Notable people

  • John Englund, Wisconsin State Senator and newspaper editor, lived in Wittenberg.
  • Helmer Swenholt, United States Army officer, was born in Wittenberg.
  • Jonas Swenholt, Wisconsin State Representative and businessman, lived in Wittenberg.

See also

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

kids search engine
Wittenberg, Wisconsin Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.