Port Washington, Wisconsin
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Port Washington is a city in and the county seat of Ozaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is about 25 miles north of Milwaukee and some 110 miles north of Chicago. In the 2000 census Port Washington had a population of 10,467 people. The ZIP Code is 53074.
The city is located within the Town of Port Washington, though it is politically independent.
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History
The area that became Port Washington was explored by French explorers in the late 17th century. In 1835, Wooster Harrison became the town's first permanent settler, in what was originally named Wisconsin City. The name was changed to Sauk Washington about 1843 and was incoporated with its present name in 1882.
With a natural harbor at the mouth of Sauk Creek, the city became a port on Lake Michigan, shipping and receiving various goods and materials. Of notable maritime commerce was the Port Washington power plant. The coal-fired plant received shipments of coal primarily by lake boat from its beginning of service in 1935 until 2004 when the coal-fired furnaces were taken out of service. The plant is now being converted to generate electricity from natural gas. The conclusion of the receipt of coal also signalled the conclusion of Port Washington as a commercial port. The harbor is now utilized almost exclusively by recreational boaters.
Industries included fishing and manufacture of chairs and school equipment.
From 1910 through 1935 Port Washington was the home of Paramount Records and other associated record labels.
In 1940 the population was 4,046; in 1950 4,754.
Geography
Image:WIMap-doton-Port Washington.pngAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 km² (4.0 mi²). 10.0 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.53% water.
The city is located at the mouth of the Sauk Creek on Lake Michigan, and includes the 63 acre (250,000 m²) Lake Bluff Park. Its average elevation above sea level is 612 feet (187 m).
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,467 people, 4,071 households, and 2,756 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,049.7/km² (2,721.5/mi²). There were 4,252 housing units at an average density of 426.4/km² (1,105.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.97% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.47% Asian, 0.37% Native American, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,071 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,827, and the median income for a family was $62,215. Males had a median income of $42,266 versus $26,532 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,862. 4.2% of the population and 2.7% of families were below the poverty line. 4.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Port Washington
Template:Advert The downtown is lake level, and adjacent to the marina . Port Washington has the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in Wisconsin several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Port Washington Visitor Center, is itself a historic building known as the "Pebble House".
Recreation
The Port Washington charter fishing fleet is one of the largest on the Great Lakes, with fishing successes documented by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources records. A county-wide bike trail, The Interurban, goes through Port Washington. The city is home to the last covered bridge in the state and is the birthplace of Flag Day.
Festivals and Events
On Saturdays during the summer, a Farmers Market provides delightful diversions; and many Sunday evenings you can enjoy free concerts in the City Bandshell. [1] Port Fish Day is a summer festival celebrating the fishing heritage of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Port Fish Day is the "World's Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry", and is held annually on the third Saturday in July. [2]
Trivia
The ABC (and later CBS) Friday-night sitcom Step by Step, starring Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy, was set in a fictional version of Port Washington.