Neillsville, Wisconsin

city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin

Neillsville is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, 2,384 people lived there.[3] Meillsville is the county seat of Clark County.[5]

Neillsville, Wisconsin
Neillsville Downtown Historic District
Neillsville Downtown Historic District
Location of Neillsville in Clark County, Wisconsin
Location of Neillsville in Clark County, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 44°33′40″N 90°35′45″W / 44.56111°N 90.59583°W / 44.56111; -90.59583
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CountyClark
Area
 • Total2.85 sq mi (7.37 km2)
 • Land2.75 sq mi (7.11 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation1,037 ft (316 m)
Population
 • Total2,384
 • Density868.5/sq mi (335.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
54456
Area code(s)715 & 534
FIPS code55-55800[4]
GNIS feature ID1570146[2]
Websitewww.neillsville-wi.com

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.85 square miles (7.38 km2). Of this, 2.75 square miles (7.12 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[1]

History

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The Ojibwa were the earliest known people to live in the Neillsville area.[6]

The first European settlers in the area were James O'Neill and his party. They moved to the area around 1845. The group was looking for a place to build a sawmill on the Black River. The city was named O’Neill’s Mill after James O'Neill. O'Neill Creek, which runs through the center of the city, was also named for him.

In 1854, O’Neill’s Mill was made the county seat of Clark County.[7]

Neillsville was platted on April 14, 1855 and incorporated in April 1882.[8]

Neillsville is where well known architect William L. Steele died. Poor health made Steele retire from architecture in late 1946. He left his oldest son William L. Steele, Jr. and partner Josiah D. Sandham in charge of the business. Steele moved to Neillsville to live with one of his daughters. He died at her house on March 4, 1949.[9][10]

Neillsville is featured in 1995 comedy movie Tommy Boy. The movie starred Chris Farley and David Spade. When Paul (Rob Lowe), Tommy's Stepbrother, changes the orders in the shipping computer, he changes the order for Nelson Automotive in Neillsville, Wisconsin.

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Neillsville city, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. Author unknown. "The Heart of Wisconsin Archived 2007-07-27 at the Wayback Machine", 1900 (estimated).
  7. MacBridge, R. J. "The History of Clark County Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine", Thorp Courier, 1909-06-17.
  8. Clark County, WI Internet Library Project. "Pine Valley Township, Clark County, Wisconsin Archived 2008-01-05 at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved on 2007-10-25.
  9. "Obituary William LaBarthe Steele (1875 – 1949)". Clark County Press. Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin. March 10, 1949.[permanent dead link]
  10. Withey, Henry F; Withey, Elsie Rathburn (1956). Biographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased). Los Angeles: New Age Publishing Co. p. 569.

Other websites

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