Superior, Wisconsin
Superior, Wisconsin
Gete-oodenaang ( ZIP codes | 54880 | |
---|---|---|
Area code(s) | 715 and 534 | |
FIPS code | 55-78650 | |
Website | ci.superior.wi.us |
Superior (/sʊˈpɪr.i.ər/; Ojibwe: Gete-oodenaang)[3] is a city in, and the county seat of, Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States.[4] The population was 26,751 at the 2020 census. Located at the western end of Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin, the city lies at the junction of U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 53 immediately north of, and adjacent to, both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.
Bordered by Saint Louis, Superior, and Allouez bays, the city is framed by two rivers: the
History
The first log cabin in Superior was erected in September 1853 on the banks of the Nemadji River, at the same time that ground was broken for construction of the locks and ship canal at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This was intended to allow ships to bypass the rapids at that site. Superior was incorporated as a city on March 25, 1889.[6] Around the same time Superior became the seat of newly formed Douglas County. Immediately there was eagerness for a railroad from Lake Superior to the Pacific Coast, and investment flowed in, but then the Panic of 1857 hit, investment slowed, and the population of the new city collapsed from 2500 to 500.[7]
25 years later the Northern Pacific Railway and other rail lines finally arrived, fulfilling the dream of a rail and water highway from coast to coast. In 1883 General John H. Hammond formed the Land and River Improvement Company, which developed much of West Superior, including the West Superior Iron and Steel plant. Numerous grain, coal and lumber businesses formed in the same period.[7]
In the Boom Period from 1888 to 1892, Land and River Improvement and others built impressive architect-designed business blocks on Tower Avenue, seeing Superior as the "new Chicago". Many of the investors were from out East, so the buildings received names like the New Jersey Block and the Maryland Block.[7] By 1892, population was 34,000. Then the Panic of 1893 hit, and development slowed again.[7]
Between 1890 and 1920, the city was heavily settled by migrants from the eastern United States as well as immigrants from over 15 countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Croatia.
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Fairlawn Mansion, built by Superior's three-time mayor Martin Pattison for his family in 1891. The 42-room mansion is now a museum.
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1915 panoramic map of theDuluthon the right
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Minnesota Block (Board of Trade Building), built 1892
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.65 sq mi (144.13 km2), of which, 36.96 sq mi (95.73 km2) is land and 18.69 sq mi (48.41 km2) is water.[8] Most of Superior is level with a gradual slope toward Lake Superior.
Climate
Climate data for Superior, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1909–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 55 (13) |
60 (16) |
80 (27) |
92 (33) |
96 (36) |
98 (37) |
105 (41) |
99 (37) |
97 (36) |
89 (32) |
79 (26) |
60 (16) |
105 (41) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
36.1 (2.3) |
46.0 (7.8) |
57.4 (14.1) |
67.0 (19.4) |
76.1 (24.5) |
74.8 (23.8) |
66.6 (19.2) |
53.0 (11.7) |
39.1 (3.9) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
49.4 (9.7) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.1 (−9.9) |
18.0 (−7.8) |
28.5 (−1.9) |
38.9 (3.8) |
49.1 (9.5) |
58.2 (14.6) |
67.1 (19.5) |
66.4 (19.1) |
58.4 (14.7) |
45.8 (7.7) |
32.4 (0.2) |
20.2 (−6.6) |
41.4 (5.2) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.8 (−14.6) |
9.1 (−12.7) |
21.0 (−6.1) |
31.8 (−0.1) |
40.9 (4.9) |
49.5 (9.7) |
58.0 (14.4) |
58.0 (14.4) |
50.1 (10.1) |
38.6 (3.7) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
13.1 (−10.5) |
33.5 (0.8) |
Record low °F (°C) | −37 (−38) |
−38 (−39) |
−38 (−39) |
−2 (−19) |
11 (−12) |
25 (−4) |
34 (1) |
31 (−1) |
19 (−7) |
9 (−13) |
−19 (−28) |
−32 (−36) |
−38 (−39) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.81 (21) |
0.89 (23) |
1.41 (36) |
2.64 (67) |
3.37 (86) |
4.56 (116) |
3.88 (99) |
3.92 (100) |
3.39 (86) |
3.17 (81) |
2.12 (54) |
1.29 (33) |
31.45 (799) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 14.5 (37) |
12.4 (31) |
9.1 (23) |
1.7 (4.3) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
5.8 (15) |
12.3 (31) |
56.0 (142) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 5.6 | 7.1 | 8.8 | 11.6 | 11.5 | 10.4 | 9.6 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 8.1 | 7.0 | 106.4 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 6.8 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 3.1 | 5.7 | 26.2 |
Source: |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 11,983 | — | |
1900 | 31,091 | 159.5% | |
1910 | 40,384 | 29.9% | |
1920 | 39,671 | −1.8% | |
1930 | 36,133 | −8.9% | |
1940 | 35,136 | −2.8% | |
1950 | 35,325 | 0.5% | |
1960 | 33,563 | −5.0% | |
1970 | 32,237 | −4.0% | |
1980 | 29,571 | −8.3% | |
1990 | 27,134 | −8.2% | |
2000 | 27,368 | 0.9% | |
2010 | 27,244 | −0.5% | |
2020 | 26,751 | −1.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[11] 2020 census[2] |
2020 census
As of the
2010 census
As of the
There were 11,670 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the
and 5.3% American ancestry.There were 11,609 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.
The city's median household income was $31,921, and the median family income was $41,093. Males had a median income of $33,712 versus $22,073 for females. The
Economy
The transportation industry accounts for more than 1,000 jobs. The
Cenovus Energy operates a refinery in Superior.[14] The refinery is located along a pipeline connecting western Canada and the Midwest. On April 26, 2018, there was an explosion at the refinery. Douglas County issued a state of emergency due to heavy smoke, and then an evacuation order for local residents and workers. There were 20 injuries, and five were taken to hospital in Duluth. No fatalities were reported.
Growing area manufacturers include FenTech, Inc., which manufactures vinyl doors and windows; Charter NEX Films, a producer of plastic films; Genesis Attachments, manufacturer of shears and grapples; Amsoil, a producer of synthetic motor oil and lubricants; and Crane Song Ltd., a manufacturer of discrete Class A electronics for recording studios. Fraser Shipyards also provides many jobs to local residents. They repower and repair commercial vessels.
Arts and culture
Superior Public Library is located in downtown Superior.
Superior City FC, a semi-professional soccer club, compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Founded in 2023, the club supports a Men's UPSL Premier team, a Women's UPSL Premier team, and multiple amateur adult teams. The club plays their home games at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex, located at Superior Senior High School.[15]
Parks and recreation
There are several parks in the city, including the second largest municipal forest in the United States, located in the city's Billings Park neighborhood.[citation needed]
Government
The current mayor of Superior is Jim Paine, who was first elected in 2017.[16]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties
|
---|---|---|---|
2020
|
37.9% 5,083 | 59.6% 7,999 | 2.5% 328 |
2016
|
37.4% 4,642 | 54.9% 6,828 | 7.7% 956 |
2012
|
29.6% 3,783 | 69.0% 8,816 | 1.4% 178 |
2008
|
29.5% 4,154 | 68.9% 9,711 | 1.6% 229 |
2004
|
30.6% 4,566 | 68.5% 10,217 | 0.8% 125 |
2000
|
28.2% 3,687 | 66.1% 8,647 | 5.6% 738 |
Education
Superior is served by the Superior School District, which has one high school, one middle school, and six elementary schools, with a total enrollment of over 5,000 students. Superior High School enrolls more than 1,500 students. Its mascot is Sparty the Spartan. Over 1,400 students are also enrolled in the Maple School District. Parochial schools include the Catholic Cathedral School, the Protestant-based Maranatha Academy and Twin Ports Baptist School.[18]
The University of Wisconsin–Superior (UWS) is a public liberal arts college. Originally opened as a state Normal School (teacher's college), UWS became part of the University of Wisconsin System in 1971.[19]
Northwood Technical College (formerly WITC) offers skill development and technical education, with an enrollment of over 2,200.
Media
Print media
- The Superior Telegram, local twice-weekly print newspaper[20]
- The Superior Catholic Herald, published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior
- Positively Superior, a bi-monthly business-to-business magazine that focuses exclusively on Superior and Douglas County
Radio
Superior is part of the Duluth radio and television market.
- KDKE 102.5 FM – classic Country
- KUWS 91.3 FM – Ideas network of Wisconsin Public Radio
- WDSM 710 AM – News Talk Information
- WDUL 970 AM – Sports
- WGHF-LP93.7 FM – Superior Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- WSSU (FM) 88.5 FM – WPR News & Classical
Television
- 6 KBJR-TV (NBC/CBS) – Superior
- 3 KDLH (The CW) – Duluth
- 8 WDSE (PBS) – Duluth
- 10 WDIO-DT (ABC) – Duluth
- 21 KQDS (Fox) – Duluth
- 27 KCWV (Family Chanel) – Duluth
Infrastructure
Transportation
Major highways
The following routes are located within the city of Superior.
- Interstate 535 – John Blatnik Bridge
- U.S. Highway 2– Belknap Street(western portion) E. 2nd Street/US Highway 53 (eastern portion)
- U.S. Highway 53
- Wisconsin Highway 35 – Tower Avenue
- Wisconsin Highway 105 – Central Avenue
Airport
Richard I. Bong Airport (KSUW) serves the city and surrounding communities. Duluth International Airport in Duluth is the nearest commercial airport, with service on three commercial and two cargo airlines, as of December 2018.
Bus
The Duluth Transit Authority provides Superior and nearby Duluth with fixed-route and dial-a-ride public bus service. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Indian Trails.[21]
Rail
A proposed
Notable people
- James H. Agen, Wisconsin State Representative[22]
- Wallace W. Andrew, Wisconsin State Representative[23]
- MLB All-Star outfielder[24]
- National Baseball Hall of Fame
- David Francis Barry, photographer of the American West
- David L. Bazelon, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals
- Kris Benson, Major League Baseball player[25]
- Niko Bogojevic, professional wrestler for WWE
- Richard Bong, Medal of Honor recipient and top flying ace of the U.S. in World War II
- 17th and 19th Governor of Idaho[26]
- Charles J. Bouchard, Wisconsin State Representative
- Dave Bronson, Mayor of Anchorage, Alaska
- Esther Bubley, photographer
- Anthony Bukoski, short story writer
- Solanus Casey, priest and a "blessed" of the Catholic Church
- MLBplayer
- Agnes Charbonneau, Wisconsin State Representative[27]
- Frank Christopherson Jr., Wisconsin State Representative[28]
- U.S. Armygeneral
- Charles H. Crownhart, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Albert W. Durley, Wisconsin State Representative and lawyer[29]
- MLBplayer
- Daniel R. Fitzpatrick, editorial cartoonist
- William R. Foley, Wisconsin State Representative
- James B. French, Wisconsin State Representative
- Bud Grant, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967–1983; 1985, member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Lawrence M. Hagen, Wisconsin State Representative
- Ogden H. Hammond, diplomat and New Jersey politician
- Christine Hoberg, singer-songwriter and music producer
- William E. Hoehle, Wisconsin State Representative
- George Hudnall, Wisconsin State Senator
- Eastman Johnson, artist, co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- NFLplayer
- Bill LaBounty, songwriter/musician[citation needed]
- NFL player, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Irvine L. Lenroot, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Judge of the U.S. Court of Customs and Patents Appeals
- Victor Linley, Wisconsin State Senator
- Robert J. MacDonald, Michigan State Senator
- James S. Mace, Wisconsin State Representative
- Gordon MacQuarrie, journalist and outdoors writer
- Bruce Mathison, NFL player
- Edgar G. Mills, Wisconsin State Representative and Senator
- Thomas Brooks Mills, Wisconsin politician
- Thomas B. Murray, Wisconsin State Representative
- Ernie Nevers, member of both College and Pro Football Halls of Fame
- Marian Nixon, actress
- Ray J. Nye, Wisconsin State Senator
- Scott O'Brien, special teams coordinator of the New England Patriots
- Bob Olson, football player
- Byron C. Ostby, Wisconsin State Representative
- Dave Peterson, coach of the United States men's national ice hockey team[30]
- Angus B. Rothwell, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
- Augustine Francis Schinner, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior and Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane
- Lewis B. Schwellenbach, U.S. Secretary of Labor
- Frank D. Sheahan, Wisconsin State Representative[31]
- NHL
- Henry Clay Sloan, Wisconsin State Representative[32]
- Edward Stack, Wisconsin State Representative
- James S. Stack, Wisconsin State Representative
- Don Stivers, artist
- NFLplayer
- NFLplayer
- NFLplayer
- Leonard Patrick Walsh, United States District Court judge in Washington, D.C.
- Albert D. Whealdon, Wisconsin State Representative
- Jarvis White, Wisconsin State Representative
- Jeffrey Williams, NASA astronaut
- Oliver E. Williamson, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in economics
- F. A. Woodward, Superior mayor, Arizona State Senator
Religion
Superior is the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior, and the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior is the mother church of the diocese. Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, located in the East End of Superior, has been noted for its architecture. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church is the only congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod located in Superior. It recently moved from its original location on Belknap Street to a new campus on North 28th Street. Pilgrim Lutheran Church is located along Belknap Street near the University of Wisconsin–Superior. United Presbyterian Church represents the Presbyterian Church U.S.A as a merger of three churches in a new church building. Faith United Methodist Church is the result of a merger of the city's original three Methodist Churches: First, Central and Trinity. Many small churches dot the city's neighborhoods, representing most major denominations.
See also
- Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
- John A. Blatnik Bridge
- Lakehead Pipeline
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/superiorcitywisconsin,US/PST120219 [dead link]
- ^ Donovan, Brian R. "Key to Ojibwe Place Names". faculty.bemidjistate.edu. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Edmund Fitzgerald History, The Fateful Journey". Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ "History of Superior - Superior, WI - Official Website". www.ci.superior.wi.us. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Lusignan, Paul R.; Thomas Hendrickson. Massachusetts Block (PDF). National Park Service - Historical American Buildings Survey. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2014.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Superior, WI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Superior city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Upgrading & refining". www.cenovus.com. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "Local athletes flock to Superior City FC". Superior Telegram. May 12, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ Kaeding, Danielle; Shalaby, Olivia; White, Marcus (April 5, 2017). "Paine to Lead as Superior's Next Mayor". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ "Wisconsin election results". Lubar Center for Public Policy and Civic Education. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Visitor Information". superiorchamber.org. Archived from the original on December 1, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2006.
- ^ http://www.uwsuper.edu/aboutuwsuperior/history/ Archived 2007-02-06 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
- ^ Panzer, Joseph (April 25, 2024). "A news desert in Douglas County leaves residents without local coverage". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Indian Trails Schedule 1491" (PDF). Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1897,' Biographical Sketch of James Herman Agen, pg. 676-677
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1905,' Biographical Sketch of Wallace W. Andrew, pg. 1096
- ^ "Morrie Arnovich Stats". Baseball Almanac. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Kris Benson Stats". Baseball Almanac. Archived from the original on November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Editing C. A. Bottolfsen". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1931,' Biographical Sketch of Agnes Charbonneau pg. 218
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1966,' Biographical Sketch of Frank W. Christopherson, pg. 29
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1907,' Biographical Sketch of Paul W. Durley, pg. 1147
- ^ Weiner, Jay (February 7, 1988). "1988 Calgary Winter Olympics: Steady as he goes, this isn't the Dave Peterson show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 1P.; Weiner, Jay (February 7, 1988). "Peterson (continued)". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 10P.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1946,' Biographical Sketch of Frank D. Sheahan, pg. 43
- ^ "Outagamie County Wisconsin Biographies". genealogytrails.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
Further reading
- Bartlett, Elizabeth Ann. Making Waves: Grassroots Feminism in Duluth and Superior (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2016). xvi, 325 pp.