Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Oshkosh is a city located where the Fox River enters Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 62,916. The city is located adjacent to and partially within the Town of Oshkosh.

History

Oshkosh was named for Menominee Chief Oshkosh, whose name means "claw"[1]. Oshkosh was incorporated as a city in 1853. While fur trade brought the first European settlers to this area as early as 1818, the establishment and growth of the lumber industry fueled the development of Oshkosh. The structures which now make up the city's historic areas are a result of the capital and materials generated by the lumber and associated wood manufacturing industries.

When Oshkosh was formally incorporated in 1853, it had already been designated the county seat and had a population of nearly 2,800. The lumber industry was well established as entrepreneurs took advantage of navigable waterways to provide access to both northern pineries and markets. The 1859 arrival of rail transportation provided an important opportunity to meet the demands of a larger and rapidly growing construction market. By 1870, Oshkosh had become third largest city in the state with a population of over 12,000.

In addition to providing capital and materials for construction of buildings now considered historic, the lumber industry was associated with entrepreneurs and businessmen who made significant contributions to the community, politics and philanthropic organizations. Availability of materials and capital, along with the devastating downtown fires in the mid 1870's created opportunities for architects to produce a range of well designed buildings for residential, commercial, civic and religious use. At the early turn of the century Oshkosh was home of the Oshkosh Brewing CO. The Oshkosh Brewing Company coined the phrase "By Gosh It's Good." Chief Oshkosh became a national beer.

Geography

Location of Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Oshkosh is located at 44°1'29" North, 88°33'4" West (44.024983, -88.551336)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 63.2 km² (24.4 mi²). 61.2 km² (23.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.20% water.

Sites of interest

Oshkosh is probably best known for OshKosh B'Gosh Overalls. Founded in 1895 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc. has grown from a small-town manufacturer of adult workwear into a global marketer of children's clothing and accessories. Best known for their rugged, men's hickory-striped bib overalls, the Company began making the pint size version in the early 1900's, so that children could dress like their fathers. It wasn't until Miles Kimball, a local mail order firm, featured a pair of children's bib overalls in its national catalog that sales of the item took off. Prompted by the strong response, OshKosh B'Gosh expanded distribution into specialty and department stores, and gradually broadened their children's wear line. Oshkosh B' Gosh overalls are no longer made in Oshkosh.

Oshkosh is also the home of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" held by the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. ("EAA"). AirVenture is the world's largest airshow, and during AirVenture, air traffic at Wittman Regional Airport exceeds that of any other airport in the world. EAA is a non-profit member organization, particularly dedicated to home-built aircraft, restored aircraft, and the new class of light-sport aircraft. Oshkosh is home to Oshkosh Truck, one of the world's leading manufacturers of emergency, utility and military vehicles, and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the third-largest university in the state. During the 4th of July there is a large festival/carnival known as Sawdust Days at Menominee Park. Menominee park also contains the Public Zoo and "Little Oshkosh" which is a community built kids playground. There are two well known chocolate companies located in Oshkosh; Hughes and Oaks. In downtown Oshkosh is the Grand Opera House where local acting groups present their plays and musicals. Also located downtown is the Sundial, Park Plaza Mall, and new Ampitheater. Oshkosh is also home to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,028.0/km² (2,662.2/mi²). There are 25,420 housing units at an average density of 415.3/km² (1,075.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.73% White, 2.19% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 24,082 households out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% are married couples living together, 9.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% are non-families. 32.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.95.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 18.1% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,636, and the median income for a family is $48,843. Males have a median income of $33,750 versus $24,154 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,964. 10.2% of the population and 5.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Points of interest

• Paine Art Center and Gardens
• University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
• EAA AirVenture Museum
• Oshkosh Public Museum
• Hughes Homemade Chocolates
• Oaks Chocolates
• Menominee Park
• Grand Opera House
• Sawdust Days
• Waterfest

External links

• City of Oshkosh
• Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Oshkosh and Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Atlases and Histories: A digital resource documenting the history of this area, from the Oshkosh Public Library and presented by the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center.

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