Black Creek, Wisconsin

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Black Creek, Wisconsin
—  Village  —
Black Creek Welcome Sign
Nickname(s): "Crossroads to the Northwoods"
Location of Black Creek, Wisconsin
Location of Black Creek, Wisconsin in Outagamie County
Coordinates: 44°27′30″N 88°27′21″W / 44.45833°N 88.45583°W / 44.45833; -88.45583Coordinates: 44°27′30″N 88°27′21″W / 44.45833°N 88.45583°W / 44.45833; -88.45583
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Outagamie
Founded/Settled 1862
Incorporated 1904
Government
 • Type President - Trustees
 • President Steve Rettler[1]
Area
 • Total 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2)
 • Land 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation[2] 804 ft (245 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 1,316
 • Density 1,145.5/sq mi (442.5/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP Codes 54106
Area code(s) (920)
FIPS code 55-07750[3]
GNIS feature ID 1582819[2]
Website www.VillageofBlackCreek.com

Black Creek is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,316 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Black Creek.

Contents

[edit] History

The village of Black Creek was founded by Abraham Lincoln Burdick and Thomas Jefferson Burdick in 1862, and incorporated as a village in 1904. The community had been known as Middleburg until 1872, when its name was changed to reflect the dark-colored creek at the edge of the village. In 1962 a Centennial celebration was held and a Sesquicentennial celebration is planned for June, 2012.[4]

The first organized baseball team in Black Creek was formed in 1868. It is believed by the local residents that the first baseball game in the area was played at North Park in Black Creek.[5]

In 1875 Black Creek published its first newspaper, the Black Creek Journal, which was discontinued in 1880. The Black Creek Times Press was first issued in 1904 and discontinued in 1928.

Black Creek established its first dairy factory in the year 1901 and the year 1905 was when Black Creek built a new bridge that replaced the original wooden one on the Black Creek.[5]

During 1901, the village library was formed. In 1902 a large fire destroyed much of Main Street, causing the village fire department to get organized in 1904. 1905 was the year the Village Hall was built next to the Hotel Arlington on the Corner of Oak Street & North Maple Street. The year 1910 is when telephone service was made available to local residents with electricity making its debut in 1911.

A new Village Hall/Fire Department/Library was built across the street from the original building in 1926. Soon the library needed more room so it built a building, which included a Community Center, at 507 South Maple Street in 1989. The fire department also needed more room so it built a new building on CTY HWY B in 1996. The Police Dept and the Village Clerk now occupy the building on Oak and North Maple Street.[6]

The nickname "Crossroads to the Northwoods" was adopted by the village in 2006. In 2008 the Green Bay & Western Railroad tracks were removed and the former rail corridor was converted into the Newton Blackmour State Trail.[4][7]

In the summer of 2010 Black Creek experienced two major floods. The first occurred on the morning of July 19 when 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell[8] and the second was during the night of August 20 when the community received another 6 inches (150 mm).[9] Other smaller floods in the last 30 years flooded only the Canadian National Railway underpass.[10]

[edit] Geography

Black Creek is located at 44°28′28″N 88°27′0″W / 44.47444°N 88.45°W / 44.47444; -88.45 (44.474517, -88.450125).[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²). None of the area is covered with water.

Black Creek is located at the intersection of WIS-47 and WIS-54, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Green Bay and 15 miles (24 km) north of the Fox Cities.

There have been five tornadoes in the Black Creek area, ranging in intensity from F0 to F3. An F3 tornado touched down four miles from the WIS 54/WIS 47 intersection on June 26, 1969 and traveled northeast past Seymour, causing one injury. On December 1, 1970 an F3 tornado touched down in Hortonville, traveled northeast and stopped 2.5 miles from the center of Black Creek. On May 30, 1980, a category 1 tornado touched down 1.5 miles from the center of the village and traveled eastward across the village. A category 2 tornado touched down in Stephensville on May 6, 1982, 10 miles from the center of Black Creek, and traveled northeast, stopping just outside the village limits. The most recent tornado, rated F0, touched down briefly just north of Black Creek on June 13, 2005.[12][13]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1870 568
—
1880 1,283 125.9%
1890 1,395 8.7%
1900 1,482 6.2%
1910 1,476 −0.4%
1920 1,466 −0.7%
1930 1,425 −2.8%
1940 1,370 −3.9%
1950 691 −49.6%
1960 756 9.4%
1970 825 9.1%
1980 974 18.1%
1990 1,152 18.3%
2000 1,192 3.5%
2010 1,316 10.4%
[1]

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[3][14] of 2010, there were 1,316 people, 540 households, and 513 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,097.6 people per square mile (424.5/km²). There were 540 housing units at an average density of 450 per square mile (145.16/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.04% White, ???% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 2.20% from other races, and 2% from two or more races. 1.60% from the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 513 occupied households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them.

In the village the population was spread out with 29.33% under the age of 18, 70.69% were over the age of 18, 5.9% from 20 to 24, 17.6% from 25 to 34, 19.3% from 35 to 49, 16.87% from 50 to 64, and 9.35% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,946, and the median income for a family was $49,896. Males had a median income of $32,128 versus $25,286 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,226. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Arts and Culture

[edit] Major events

  • 9/11 Memorial Ceremony (Held at Ron's Service then switching over to South Park)
  • Altrusa Polkafest (Held at Romy's Nitingale)[15]
  • Annual Black Creek North/South Grudge Match (Held at South Park)[16]
  • Annual Family Fun DAZE Parade and Festival (Festivities held at Lake Park after parade)[17]
  • Annual Fireman's Picnic (Held at South Park)[18]
  • Annual Maple Syrup Breakfast (Held at Fallen Timbers Environmental Center)[19]
  • Annual Newton Blackmour 5K run/walk (Held at Newton Blackmour State Trail)[20]
  • Annual Run for the Timbers (Held at Fallen Timbers Environmental Center)[21][22]
  • Black Creek Community Blood Drive (Held at M&I Bank)
  • Black Creek Community Christmas Festival (Held at Black Creek Fire & Rescue Dept.)
  • Breakfast on the Farm (Held at Birling's Bovines)[23]
  • Claim to Fame Live Pro Style Wrestling - (Held at Clint & Moe's Pub & Putt)[24]
  • Co-Ed Kickball Tournament (Held at North Park)[25]
  • Family Fun Night (Held at Black Creek School)
  • Fun in the Park Events (Held at South Park during the summer months)
  • M&I Bank Community Day Cookout (Held at M&I Bank's parking lot)
  • Ride for the Timbers Bike Ride (Held at Fallen Timbers Environmental Center)[26]
  • Rose Sale (Held at Black Creek Garden & Gift)[27]
  • Stuff the Bus (Held at Sal's Food Center, Black Creek, Don's Quality Market, Seymour, and Shiocton Mini-Mart, Shiocton.)[28]

[edit] Other Points of Interest

  • Apple Blossom Lane Orchard - (County Highway A)[29]
  • Black Creek Sportsman's Club - (Trap Road)
  • Black Creek Wings (Butterfly Fields) - (East Burdick Street/Burdick Road)
  • Center Valley School House - (Center Valley Road & Hample Road)
  • Fallen Timbers Environmental Center - (Robin Road)[30]
  • Gotham's Berry Farm - (County Highway VV)[31]
  • Historic Downtown Shoppes - (North Main Street)
  • The Meadows - (Genske Road)[32]

[edit] Sports and recreation

The village of Black Creek has three parks and one trail.

  • Lake Park has a total of 10 acres (40,468 m²), includes a: Swimming lake, playground, pavilions, Frisbee golf, and horseshoe toss - (East Mary Street)
  • Newton Blackmour State Trail: 23 miles (37 km) long, Welcome to Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders during summer months; snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing during winter months - (Part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy)[7]
  • North Park has a total of 5 acres (20,234 m²), includes a: Baseball diamond, and a batting cage - (North Clark Street)
  • Seabald Park (Locally known as South Park) has a total of 7 acres (28,327 m²), includes a: Baseball diamond, batting cage, playground, pavilions, basketball courts, firefighter's water fight barrel, volleyball pit, and (during winter) an ice skating rink - (Hickory Street)

Black Creek Youth Sports Organization (BCYS) is the area's only sports league. The organization mainly plays baseball and softball type games which include: Tee Ball (ages 5 – 6); Machine Pitch (ages 7 – 8); Little League (ages 9 – 12); and Softball (ages 9 – 12). All teams are sponsored by local businesses which provide the uniforms for the players. Softball and Little League teams play against other area communities, while Tee Ball and Machine Pitch teams only play against other Black Creek teams. All Tee Ball games are played on Tuesdays and Machine Pitch games on Wednesdays. Softball and Little League games are played on multiple days. Machine Pitch and Tee Ball games are played at Black Creek's Seabald Park and are practiced at North Park; while little league is can be played in Black Creek, Ellington, Navarino, Seymour, or Shiocton. Softball games can be played at Black Creek, Combined Locks, Kimberly, Little Chute, Menasha, or Wrightstown. BCYS opens the concessions stands during games and holds brat fries at the local grocery store. Each year Black Creek Youth Sports has three tournaments, as of now only Tee Ball tournaments; tournaments could be on a Saturday, Friday and/or Sunday.[33]

[edit] Government

The Village of Black Creek has a Village President and Village Board of Trustees form of government. Steve Rettler is Black Creek's village president. The village board is made up of the following categories: Treasurer / Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Librarian, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Custodian, WWTP Operator, Building Inspector, Municipal Justice, Assessor, and an Attorney.[1]

There are also a number of committees including: a Finance, Courts & Public Safety, Buildings & Grounds, Insurance & Personnel, Planning Commission, Board Of Review, Street, Utility, Ordinance, Board Of Health, and a Zoning Board Of Appeals Committee.[34][35]

Law enforcement is enforced by the village of Black Creek Police Department. The station consists of six part-time police officers and one full-time police chief, Lowell James.[36] The Black Creek Joint Municipal Court has jurisdiction over the villages of Black Creek, Bear Creek, and Nichols.[37]

Fire Protection and Rescue is provided by the Black Creek Fire & Rescue Department. The department has 46 Firefighters, 15 EMTs, and 10 First Responders.[38]

[edit] Education

Black Creek Elementary / Middle School

The village has one public school, Black Creek Elementary & Middle School, which serves grades 4K through 8th. Part of the Seymour Community School District, the school was built in 1954 and has undergone four major expansions: 1957, 1969, 1987, and 2008. The school mascot is the Black Creek Bobcats.[39]

The Black Creek Village Public Library serves as the areas public library, it is a member of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS).

Black Creek's first school was built in 1874 and condemned in 1900. A two-story school built in 1900 was used from 1900 to 1937. Because of lack of space, the school rented the village hall from 1937 to 1954. Black Creek's current school was constructed in 1954. In 1958 the one-room schoolhouses in the surrounding vicinity closed and their students transferred to the village school, doubling the enrollment. Kindergarten, art, music, and physical education were also added that year. The village school became part of the Seymour Community School District in 1963.[6][40]

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church is planning a parochial preschool that would serve infants to five-year-olds.

[edit] Newspapers

The primary newspapers that serve Black Creek include: the Advertiser Community News~Times Press, based in Seymour, and The Post~Crescent, based in Appleton.

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Transportation

Black Creek has an average of 10,000 cars passing through daily, and 3.7 million cars per year. Approximately 8,200 cars pass through Black Creek's downtown area on average, and about 6,100 cars drive through the WIS-47 / WIS-54 intersection in a day. Burdick Street has about 100 cars traveling on it daily.[41]

CN Railway Overpass on WIS 54.
WIS 47.svg
 WIS 47, also marked as Main Street, Northbound, routes to Shawano. Southbound, WIS 47 routes to Appleton.
WIS 54.svg
 WIS 54, also marked State Street, Westward routes to Shiocton and New London. Eastward WIS 54 routes to Seymour and Green Bay.
WIS County B.svg
 Highway B's Western terminus is WIS 47 and its Eastern terminus is Highway PP.
The Canadian National, going Northbound routes to Shawano. Going Southbound it routes to Appleton.

[edit] Airports near Black Creek

The nearest airports for Black Creek include: The Shiocton Airport (private), located on WIS 54 in the village of Shiocton; Wolf River Landing Strip (private), located near WIS 187 in the town of Maine. Major airports include: Austin Straubel International Airport (public), located on WIS 172 in the village of Ashwaubenon; Outagamie County Regional Airport (public), located at the intersection of County Highways CA and CB in the town of Greenville.

[edit] Healthcare

ThedaCare Physicians serves Black Creek as the local clinic center. Nearby hospitals include: Appleton Medical Center, located 14 miles (22 km) away, is part of the ThedaCare System. St. Elizabeth Hospital, located 17 miles (27 km) away, is part of the Affinity Medical Group. New London Family Medical Center is located 17 miles (27 km) away from Black Creek.

[edit] Notable residents and natives

[edit] National and State Register of Historic Places

George Peters Residence in Black Creek

The George Peters House, located at 305 North Maple Street in Black Creek, 44°28′37″N 88°26′59″W / 44.47694°N 88.44972°W / 44.47694; -88.44972 (Peters, George, House), is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. This historic site is located in an area of Black Creek where buildings range from 100 years old-to-140 years old. George Peters House has been on the listing of historic places since June 18, 1987. This site was renovated from the years 2008 through 2010. Historic Hotel Arlington is located just down the street from this residence and located just across the street is the Black Creek Founders Memorial right next to the Newton Blackmour State Trail. Also located in this area, is the Historic Evangelische Lutheran Immanuel's Kirche and the Historic Downtown Black Creek.

[edit] Religion

The village of Black Creek has four churches: the Community Bible Church, a Baptist church; Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod; St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church; and St. John's United Church of Christ.[42][43][44][45]

[edit] Images

  • Looking south at the intersection of WIS 47 and WIS 54 in Black Creek

  • Black Creek Fire & Rescue Dept

  • Looking north at downtown Black Creek

  • Black Creek Public Library & Community Center

  • United States Post Office

  • Department of Public Works

  • Looking north at WDOT sign on WIS 47

  • Newton Blackmour State Trail Head

  • Black Creek Welcome Sign

  • Village Hall / Police Dept

[edit] Further reading

  • Foth & Van Dyke. Industrial development : potentials for growth : a report to the Village of Black Creek. 1981.
  • Keil, Gregory M. Village of Black Creek community development plan. 1992.
  • Omni Associates. Black Creek 2025 : a multi-jurisdictional smart growth comprehensive plan for the town and village of Black Creek, Outagamie County, WI. 2005.
  • Zuleger, Mabel. Life in rural Black Creek through the eyes of Mabel (Kluge) Zuleger : thoughts and pictures. 2007.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Village of Black Creek, "Village Board"
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ a b Lynn E. Koenigs, My Corner of the County.
  5. ^ a b A. E. Burdick, Black Creek: History From the Early Days.
  6. ^ a b Veryle Sievert, Probably More Than you Wanted to Know About the History of Black Creek.
  7. ^ a b Outagamie County Parks, "The Newton Blackmour State Trail".
  8. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Flooding Hits Black Creek", 26 July 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  9. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Another Storm Another Flood", 30 August 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  10. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek / Nichols in 2010", 3 January 2011, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  12. ^ Weather Underground WunderMap "Black Creek Area Tornado History", Click on Tornado on the right-hand side.
  13. ^ GeoTech Map, "Wisconsin Tornado Layers Google Earth", Download Tornado Layers KMZ for Google Earth.
  14. ^ 2010 Census, "Black Creek village data", Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  15. ^ Sports Wisconsin, "Altrusa Polkafest", retrieved 28 July 2011.
  16. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek North/South Grudge Match", 6 July 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  17. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek holds Fun DAZE", 7 June 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  18. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek Fireman's Picnic this Weekend", 24 May 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  19. ^ Fallen Timbers Environmental Center, "Annual Maple Syrup Breakfast", retrieved 28 July 2011.
  20. ^ Advertiser Community News, "First Newton Blackmour Trail race draws 82", 18 April 2011, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  21. ^ Fallen Timbers Environmental, "Run for the Timbers", retrieved 28 July 2011.
  22. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Fallen Timbers readies for school year with less" 22 August 2011, retrieved 23 August 2011.
  23. ^ Birling's Bovines, "Big Day at Birling's Bovines", 20 June 2011, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  24. ^ Facebook, "Clint & Moe's Claim to Fame"
  25. ^ Facebook, "Timbers Bar & Grill"
  26. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Annual Ride for the Timbers", 9 August 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  27. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek Lions ready for Annual Rose Sale", 18 January 2011, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  28. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Stuff the Bus to Return", 9 August 2010, retrieved 28 July 2011.
  29. ^ Intuit Small Business, "Apple Blossom Lane Orchard".
  30. ^ C.E.S.A 6, "Fallen Timbers Environmental Center".
  31. ^ Savor Wisconsin, "Gotham's Berry Farm".
  32. ^ Facebook, "The Meadows".
  33. ^ Black Creek Youth Sports, Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  34. ^ Village of Black Creek, "Committees"
  35. ^ Advertiser Community News, "Black Creek committees filled", 25 April 2011, Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  36. ^ Village of Black Creek, Police
  37. ^ Village of Black Creek, Municipal Court
  38. ^ GOCEDC, "Village of Black Creek, Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  39. ^ Seymour Community School District, "Black Creek Elementary/Middle School".
  40. ^ Seymour Community School District, "District Homepage".
  41. ^ Wisconsin D.O.T., "Outagamie County Insets (Black Creek, Hortonville, Seymour, and Shiocton)", Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  42. ^ Community Bible Church
  43. ^ "Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church".
  44. ^ Diocese of Green Bay, "Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church".
  45. ^ United Church of Christ, "Saint John's United Church of Christ".

[edit] External links

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