Beloit, Wisconsin

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This article is about the city. For the adjacent town, see Beloit (town), Wisconsin.
Beloit, Wisconsin
City
City of Beloit
Downtown Beloit
Downtown Beloit
Flag of Beloit, Wisconsin
Flag
Nickname(s): "Gateway To Wisconsin"
Location of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin
Location of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Rock
Founded 1836
Incorporated February 24, 1846 (village)
March 31, 1856 (city)
Government
 • Interim city manager Elizabeth Krueger
Area[1]
 • City 17.66 sq mi (45.73 km2)
 • Land 17.33 sq mi (44.89 km2)
 • Water 0.33 sq mi (0.84 km2)
Elevation 751 ft (228.9 m)
Population (2020)[2]
 • City 36,657
 • Density 2,115.0/sq mi (816.6/km2)
 • Metro 163,687
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Zip code 53511
Area code(s) 608
FIPS code 55-06500
Website beloitwi.gov

Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 36,657 people.[3][4]

History

Twelve men in Colebrook, New Hampshire, created the "New England Emigrating Company" in October 1836 and sent Horace White to find a suitable region of Wisconsin in which to settle. The level fields and the water power of Turtle Creek and "unlimited gravel" in the area around what is now Beloit fixed the site of the village and farms. White purchased the land. At the same time as the Colebrook settlers, six families from Bedford, New Hampshire, arrived and settled in the region. They said the Rock River Valley had a "New England look" that made them feel at home. The village was platted in 1838 and was planned with wide streets, building on the New England model.

Beloit was originally named New Albany (after Albany, Vermont) in 1837 by its founder, Caleb Blodgett. The name was changed to Beloit in 1838.[5][6] The name was coined to be reminiscent of Detroit.[5]

Beloit lays claim to such inventions as the speedometer,[7] John Francis Appleby's twine binder,[8] and Korn Kurls, which resemble Cheetos, was the original puffed cheese snack.[9][10]

File:Postcard of Carnegie Beloit Public Library, Beloit, Wis. - DPLA - f5500aa266e05230fef480f5f28299bf.pdf
Postcard of Carnegie Beloit Public Library, Beloit, Wis.

Historic buildings

Beloit's 1889 Water Tower Place began demolition in 1935, which was halted because of the cost. A historic pump station is nearby.

The Fairbanks Flats were built in 1917 to house the rush of African Americans moving to the area from the Southern United States.

Pearsons Hall of Science was designed by the architectural firm Burnham and Root for Beloit College as a science center.

The Lathrop-Munn Cobblestone House was originally built for politician John Hackett.

The Castle at 501 Prospect was built as First Presbyterian Church in 1902. It now operates as a Performing Arts Center and Music School.

Downtown Beloit and the riverfront

Downtown Beloit is the city's historic economic, cultural and social center. North of the confluence of the Rock River and Turtle Creek, the downtown is anchored by a core of historic buildings and the Ironworks office and industrial campus. Beloit's riverfront park system, mainly Riverside Park, extends north of downtown along the east bank toward the Town of Beloit.

Downtown Beloit is one of two inaugural members of the Wisconsin Main Street designation.[11]

Railroad heritage

Beloit was served by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, better known as the Milwaukee Road, and the Chicago & North Western Railroad (C&NW). In its 1980 bankruptcy, the Milwaukee Road disposed of the Southwestern Line. The Union Pacific Railroad, which took over the C&NW, operates in Beloit today over a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road, providing a rail connection to Fairbanks-Morse Engine manufacturing facility.[clarification needed] The Canadian Pacific Railway operates other trackage in Beloit.[12] The city also had an electric interurban railroad.[when?]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.66 square miles (45.74 km2), of which 17.33 square miles (44.88 km2) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km2) is water.[13] Location: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found..

The city is adjacent to the Town of Beloit, Town of Turtle, and the Illinois municipality of South Beloit.

Most of Beloit's development is occurring on the east side, adjacent to Interstates 39/90 and Interstate 43, where the city annexed rural land for Beloit Gateway Industrial Park, as well as in the newly revitalized downtown along the Rock River.

Climate

Beloit
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
104
 
 
−6
−11
 
 
90
 
 
−4
−12
 
 
63
 
 
9
−5
 
 
155
 
 
19
3
 
 
96
 
 
24
9
 
 
168
 
 
28
15
 
 
87
 
 
27
18
 
 
113
 
 
25
16
 
 
67
 
 
24
13
 
 
89
 
 
15
6
 
 
58
 
 
8
−1
 
 
68
 
 
−3
−12
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [14]
Climate data for Beloit, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 84
(29)		 92
(33)		 103
(39)		 104
(40)		 110
(43)		 102
(39)		 100
(38)		 89
(32)		 78
(26)		 66
(19)		 110
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 25.1
(−3.8)		 29.4
(−1.4)		 41.5
(5.3)		 54.8
(12.7)		 66.5
(19.2)		 76.1
(24.5)		 79.6
(26.4)		 78.0
(25.6)		 71.3
(21.8)		 58.3
(14.6)		 43.2
(6.2)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 54.5
(12.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 17.9
(−7.8)		 21.6
(−5.8)		 32.7
(0.4)		 44.6
(7)		 56.1
(13.4)		 65.9
(18.8)		 69.7
(20.9)		 68.1
(20.1)		 60.8
(16)		 48.5
(9.2)		 35.3
(1.8)		 23.8
(−4.6)		 45.4
(7.4)
Average low °F (°C) 10.7
(−11.8)		 13.9
(−10.1)		 23.8
(−4.6)		 34.4
(1.3)		 45.7
(7.6)		 55.8
(13.2)		 59.8
(15.4)		 58.1
(14.5)		 50.3
(10.2)		 38.7
(3.7)		 27.4
(−2.6)		 17.0
(−8.3)		 36.3
(2.4)
Record low °F (°C) −29
(−34)		 −28
(−33)		 −13
(−25)		 7
(−14)		 26
(−3)		 34
(1)		 42
(6)		 39
(4)		 23
(−5)		 4
(−16)		 −12
(−24)		 −25
(−32)		 −29
(−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.60
(40.6)		 1.52
(38.6)		 2.13
(54.1)		 3.72
(94.5)		 4.34
(110.2)		 5.64
(143.3)		 3.36
(85.3)		 4.14
(105.2)		 3.83
(97.3)		 2.77
(70.4)		 2.40
(61)		 1.96
(49.8)		 37.41
(950.2)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.8
(24.9)		 7.3
(18.5)		 4.3
(10.9)		 1.1
(2.8)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.0
(0)		 0.2
(0.5)		 2.7
(6.9)		 10.2
(25.9)		 35.6
(90.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 8.7 7.1 8.4 10.3 11.7 10.6 8.9 8.7 7.6 9.1 8.0 8.6 107.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 6.2 4.5 2.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.8 4.6 19.1
Source: NOAA[15][16]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 4,098 —
1870 4,396 7.3%
1880 4,790 9.0%
1890 6,315 31.8%
1900 10,436 65.3%
1910 15,125 44.9%
1920 21,284 40.7%
1930 23,611 10.9%
1940 25,365 7.4%
1950 29,590 16.7%
1960 32,846 11.0%
1970 35,729 8.8%
1980 35,207 −1.5%
1990 35,573 1.0%
2000 35,775 0.6%
2010 36,966 3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[2] the population was 36,657. The population density was 2,115.0 inhabitants per square mile (816.6/km2). There were 15,068 housing units at an average density of 869.4 per square mile (335.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.0% White, 14.5% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 11.4% from other races, and 11.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 21.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 36,966 people, 13,781 households, and 8,867 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,128.2 inhabitants per square mile (821.7/km2). There were 15,177 housing units at an average density of 873.7 per square mile (337.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.9% White, 15.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 10.0% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.1% of the population.

There were 13,781 households, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16.

The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

Government

Beloit is represented by Janis Ringhand and Stephen Nass in the Wisconsin State Senate, Amy Loudenbeck and Mark Spreitzer in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Mark Pocan in the United States House of Representatives, and Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin in the United States Senate.

Beloit has a council-manager system of government, with seven council members, each elected for two-year terms. Four members are elected in even years and three in odd years. City council elections are held annually in April.[19] The city council establishes policies for the city and appoints a city manager to implement those policies. The current interim city manager, Elizabeth Krueger, was appointed on June 20, 2022.[20]

Economy

Industries with headquarters in Beloit include ABC Supply Company, Bio-Systems International, Broaster Company, Fairbanks-Morse Defense, Hendricks Holding Company, Murmac Paint Manufacturing, PlayMonster, and Regal Beloit.

Downtown Beloit is a dense cluster of mostly small shops and boutiques. The area has been recognized for increased investment and renewal since the 1990s.[21] Upscale downtown condominiums and hotels were introduced after 2000 with the construction of the Hotel Hilton Apartments (2001), the Beloit Inn (now the Ironworks Hotel, 2003), Heritage View (2005), Phoenix Project (2013), Hotel Goodwin (2018), and the Wright & Wagner Lofts (2021).[22]

From the 1990s to 2011, downtown Beloit received direct public and private investment totaling more than $75 million.[21] In 2011, Beloit was a Great American Main Street Award winner.[23] In 2012, Beloit was listed #17 on Travel and Leisure's list of America's Greatest Mainstreets.[24][25]

Education

The School District of Beloit serves 5,923 students[26] in six primary schools, four intermediate schools, and one high school, with alternative programming and charter schools. Beloit Memorial High School is the city's public high school. The Roy Chapman Andrews Academy, a project-based charter school, is part of the School District of Beloit and serves grades 6 through 12.

Beloit College entrance

Beloit College, a private liberal arts college with undergraduate enrollment around 1,300, is in the city, with the main campus adjacent to downtown. The campus has a number of prehistoric Native American mounds.

Blackhawk Technical College, a public technical school, has a campus in downtown Beloit.

Beloit is also home to Concordia University's Beloit location, Beloit Center. The center offers courses designed for working adults interested in getting their associate's, bachelor's, and graduate degrees.[27]

Beloit has a public library that is part of the Arrowhead Library System.

Media

Beloit's main newspaper is The Beloit Daily News, a daily (published Monday through Friday) paper owned by Adams Publishing Group, LLC, and serving the Wisconsin/Illinois stateline area. The Janesville Gazette, also owned by Adams Publishing Group, also serves Beloit.

Beloit is a part of the Madison television market, but due to its proximity to Rockford, stations from Rockford also serve the city and report on stories and information (weather, school closings, etc.) relating to Beloit.

Radio stations serving Beloit include WBCR (90.3 FM), a variety-formatted station owned by The Board of Trustees of Beloit College, '90s hits station WBEL (1380 AM), classic country station WGEZ (1490 AM), Janesville-based stations WCLO (1230 AM) and WJVL (99.9 FM), and Fort Atkinson-based WSJY (107.3 FM).

Culture

Festivals

Beloit's main festivals include:

Recreation

Beloit is home to a professional minor league baseball team, the Beloit Sky Carp, who play in the High-A Central and are the High A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Sky Carp play their games at ABC Supply Stadium. Until August 3, 2021, they played at Harry C. Pohlman Field.

Transportation

Transit

The Beloit Transit System is the primary provider of mass transportation. Four regular routes provide service from Monday through Saturday. In collaboration with the Janesville Transit System, BTS operates an express route between the two cities.

Routes

  • Red East Side Cranston
  • Blue West Side
  • Yellow North End-Prairie
  • Brown Beloit-Janesville

Roads

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
I-90.svg
 Interstate 90 Westbound (Northbound) routes to Janesville and Madison. Eastbound (Southbound) routes to Rockford, Illinois. This is a full interstate grade freeway that runs on the east side of the city, although the I-90 is overall a west/east interstate the section in Beloit runs north/south.
I-39.svg
 Interstate 39 runs entirely concurrently with Interstate 90 through the city of Beloit.
I-43.svg
 Interstate 43 terminates at I-90/39 in Beloit, it routes Northbound to Milwaukee
US 51.svg
 U.S. Route 51 runs through the center and partly the south side of the city. Northbound routes to Janesville, Madison, and Wausau. Southbound routes to South Beloit, Illinois and Rockford.

Air

Beloit Airport is a small public-use GA airport within the city. It offers hangars for storing aircraft, gliders, and sky diving.

Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is a public airport north of Beloit in Rock County. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service.

Dane County Regional Airport and Rockford International Airport are the closest airports to Beloit that offer scheduled airline service.

Notable people

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Images

  • Fairbanks-Morse

  • Beloit Water Tower, constructed in 1889

  • Beloit Ironworks, a group of restored industrial buildings along the city's downtown riverfront

  • Middle College, on the Beloit College campus, Wisconsin's oldest academic building still in use

  • Lathrop-Munn Cobblestone House, 524 Bluff Street, Beloit, WI.JPG

    The Lathrop-Munn Cobblestone House

See also

References

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  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Callary, Edward. 2009. Place Names of Illinois. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, p. 326.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. open access publication - free to read
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Appleby, John Francis 1840 - 1917 Archived February 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.Internet Archive: Retrieved May 26, 2018
  10. ↑ Atlas Obscura: Brief History of the Cheese Curl Retrieved May 26, 2018
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, 1964 inductee

External links

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