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Marinette, Wisconsin

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Marinette, Wisconsin
City
Location of Marinette, Wisconsin
Location of Marinette, Wisconsin
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CountyMarinette
Area
 • Total8.0 sq mi (20.6 km2)
 • Land6.8 sq mi (17.5 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2)
Elevation
Template:GR
594 ft (181 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total11,749
 • Density1,738.4/sq mi (671.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code55-49300Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1569039Template:GR
Welcome sign

Marinette is a city in and the county seat of Marinette County, Wisconsin, United States.Template:GR The population was 11,749 at the 2000 census.

History

Marinette was first settled by a small Algonquin tribe, and became a French fur trading post in the 1800s. In the late 1800s it experienced a "lumber boom" thanks to its location along the Menominee River and next to Green Bay. This started to tail off at the turn of the century, but the town has continued to take advantage of its position along those bodies of water with major paper mills, and other plants such as Marinette Marine shipbuilding yard and Ansul, a manufacturer of fire protection systems.

The name "Marinette" is said to have come from the name of an early fur-trader's common-law wife, Marie Antoinette Chevalier, a French and Native American woman who ran a trading post located near the mouth of the Menominee River and came to be known as "Queen Marinette."

Education and culture

Marinette is home to University of Wisconsin-Marinette, a two year campus of the University of Wisconsin System. UW-Marinette is also known for Theatre on the Bay, a very successful community theatre program. It is also home to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College-Marinette Campus.

Marinette shares a historic rivalry with neighbor Menominee, Michigan. The two were noted as hosting the oldest interstate high school rivalry in the country from 1975 until 2005, and it is now recognized as the third-longest rivalry.[1]

Marinette also shares a hospital, community foundation, newspaper and chamber of commerce with Menominee. Numerous city groups work together to benefit the entire, two-city, two-county community.

The Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 601 Marinette Ave., (with a second office in Menominee, Mich.), coordinates several major events that draw thousands of visitors to the community each summer. The chamber plays an active role in area tourism efforts, and provides venues for small businesses, young employees and professional women to network and learn. The organization also provides opportunities for business people and educators to work together to enhance opportunities for students.

In 2003, the Pete Schwaba film The Godfather of Green Bay was shot in Marinette and its neighboring city, Menominee, Michigan.

Geography

Marinette is located at 45°5'31" North, 87°37'43" West (45.091983, -87.628714)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 square miles (20.6 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 15.08% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 11,749 people, 5,095 households, and 2,975 families residing in the city. The population density is 671.1/km² (1,738.4/sq mi). There are 5,553 housing units at an average density of 821.7/sq mi (317.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.43% White, 0.37% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,095 households out of which 28.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% are married couples living together, 10.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% are non-families. 36.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.24 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $31,743, and the median income for a family is $41,996. Males have a median income of $32,161 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,852. 9.0% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 10.2% are under the age of 18 and 12.7% are 65 or older.

45°06′00″N 87°37′50″W / 45.10000°N 87.63056°W / 45.10000; -87.63056

Notable people

  • Earl Girard, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions football player, better known as "Jug"
  • Arthur Gardner, actor, writer, producer
  • Eugene Hasenfus, captured in the Iran-Contra Affair
  • Richard Patrick "Jab" Murray, former Green Bay Packer and Mayor of Marinette
  • Gay rights activist Chris Palid

Recreation and Tourism

Marinette offers a variety of recreation activities. There are many major events throughout the year in Marinette and nearby Menominee and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Marinette County takes an active role in the promotion of tourism.

Major Events

  • Annual 4th of July Celebration, sponsored by the city of Marinette, the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce, and the M&M Jaycees
  • Sunset Concert Series, sponsored by the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce and member businesses
  • Menominee River Century Bike Ride, which attracts hundreds of bicyclists the last weekend in June
  • Theatre on the Bay, a university-community theater company founded in 1967
  • Porterfield Country Music Festival, which draws thousands of music lovers each June
  • Menominee Waterfront Festival, a partnership of the city of Menominee and Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce
  • M&M Bay Jammer, a scouting competition dating from the late 1940s
  • Art for All, a juried art show sponsored by the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce


County Parks, Trails, and Waterfalls

Marinette County has 20 county parks. These parks offer hiking, overnight camping, and waterfalls. Marinette County is known as the waterfall capital of Wisconsin because it contains 14 unique waterfalls.

Fishing and Boating

Marinette is located along Green Bay, which is a major bay of Lake Michigan. In addition to Green Bay, the city is located along the Menominee River. Both bodies of water offer many fishing and boating opportunities, as well as several events related to these sports, such as fishing derbies and sailboat races.

References

  1. ^ "ByeLines by Larry Ebsch: M&M Game spirit can't be beat"; September 10 2006; Eagle Herald; Retrieved September 10 2007

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marinette,_Wisconsin&oldid=229634539"