Viroqua, Wisconsin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Viroqua is also a genus of jumping spiders.
Viroqua is the county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,335 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Viroqua.
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[edit] History
There was a sharp rivalry between Viroqua and Springville to be named the county seat of Vernon County. A deed for 40 acres of land was promised by pioneer Moses Decker, on condition that Viroqua be chosen as the county seat. The land constituted what became known as the County Addition to the city of Viroqua.
In early 1851, the act authorizing the organization of Bad Axe, now Vernon County, was approved by Gov. Dewey. Viroqua was awarded the county seat, pending a permanent location to be determined by a vote. In May 1852, residents voted in favor of Viroqua.
On June 28, 1865, Viroqua was hit by a deadly tornado that left 22 dead.
[edit] Geography
Viroqua is located at 43°33′23″N 90°53′15″W / 43.55639°N 90.8875°W (43.556534, -90.887663)[1]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²).None of the area is covered with water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 4,335 people, 1,990 households, and 1,112 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,327.3 people per square mile (511.9/km²). There were 2,105 housing units at an average density of 644.5/sq mi (248.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.73% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,990 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,804, and the median income for a family was $35,475. Males had a median income of $29,589 versus $20,046 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,172. About 9.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
- Western Technical College offers classes in Viroqua.
- Driftless Folk School
- Youth Initiative High School
- Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School
- Viroqua Elementary School
- Viroqua Middle School
- Viroqua High School
- Laurel High School
- Better Futures High School
[edit] Economy and revitalization
Viroqua was dubbed "The Town That Beat Walmart" by Smithsonian Magazine in 1992 because it fostered businesses that co-exist with the retail giant.[4] The city promoted small business development through several state and federal programs.
Viroqua is a Wisconsin Main Street City and its downtown is listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places.
The Temple Theatre is an example of the town's resurgence. The US$1.6 million restoration of the 1922 classical revival style vaudeville and movie theater was driven by volunteers. The building now serves as an arts and cultural center for the surrounding counties.
[edit] Transportation
Viroqua is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin Highway 27, Wisconsin Highway 56, and Wisconsin Highway 82.
Recently, the highways and major streets in Viroqua were redone. Highways 14, 61, and 27 had lanes added to them to become four lanes, except for the four block section of downtown. That was kept two lanes to allow for parallel parking on the side of the road.
Viroqua was on the new airways route between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Rockford, Illinois, when it was established in June 1932. The beacon light had about fifteen large 36-inch revolving beacons of 2,000,000 candle power when it was installed on the Mahlon Lepley farm, four miles northeast of Viroqua.
[edit] Notable natives
- Joseph D. Beck - U.S. Representative
- Irwin Hendrick Dregne - World War II fighter ace and group commander
- Amos Fries - United States Army general
- Mark C. Lee - United States astronaut
- Jeremiah McLain Rusk - Governor of Wisconsin, Secretary of Agriculture
- Chris Mulkey - actor and musician, born in Viroqua[5]
- Gerald L. K. Smith - founder of Share Our Wealth Movement, grew up in Viroqua
- Richard Tubb - personal physician to former President George W. Bush
- Butch Vig - record producer and musician
[edit] References
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Bekkedal Tobacco Warehouse". Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places. Wisconsin Historical Society. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/register/viewSummary.asp?refnum=03001167. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ NPR. "Wal-Mart's Social and Economic Impact". http://www.npr.org/news/specials/walmart/. Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
- ^ "Chris Mulkey - Official Website". http://www.chrismulkey.com/. Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
[edit] External links
- City of Viroqua
- Viroqua Area Foundation
- Temple Theatre
- Wild West Days Festival
- Vernon County Broadcaster
- "Hog Wild" Film about pig wrestling in Viroqua
- Viroqua, Wisconsin is at coordinates 43°33′24″N 90°53′16″W / 43.556534°N 90.887663°WCoordinates: 43°33′24″N 90°53′16″W / 43.556534°N 90.887663°W
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