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Baraboo, WI

Frequently asked questions

Baraboo, WI

Baraboo is the largest city in and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States. The largest city in the county, Baraboo is the principal city of the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area which comprises a portion of the Madison Combined Statistical Area.

Baraboo is home to the Circus World Museum and the former headquarters and winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Al. Ringling Theatre is an active landmark in the city. Baraboo is near Devil's Lake State Park, and Aldo Leopold's Shack and Farm.

The area around Baraboo was the site of a Kickapoo village as early as 1665. The current community was established by Abe Wood in 1838 and was originally known as the village of Adams. In 1839 several settlers arrived and started building cabins, and a sawmill. In 1846 it became the county seat of Sauk County after a fierce fight with the nearby village of Reedsburg. In 1852, the village was renamed "Baraboo", after the nearby river. It was incorporated as a village in 1866 and as a city in 1882. In the 1860s, the city had surpassed a population of 2,000, and many businesses started to form, including grocery stores, banks, and hotels. In 1872, the Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW) was built. Baraboo became home to several sawmills during this time, because of its location near the Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.47 square miles (19.35 km²), of which 7.39 square miles (19.14 km²) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km²) is water. West Baraboo, a suburb of Baraboo, borders the city on its west side.

Baraboo gives its name to the Baraboo Syncline, a doubly plunging, asymmetric syncline in Proterozoic-aged Baraboo quartzite. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, particularly Charles R. Van Hise, used the syncline to demonstrate that small-scale deformational structures in isolated outcrops reflect larger regional structures and that sedimentary structures could indicate the original top-facing direction within elaborately deformed strata. These two principles sparked a global revolution in structural geology during the 1920s.

The nearby Baraboo Hills are designated one of the "Last Great Places" by the Nature Conservancy because of its rare rocks, plants, and animals. The hills were created by glacial action, and in some points poke up from the flat terrain to form a stark contrast. Some of these features were created when a glacial pocket was formed during the Wisconsin glaciation where the advance of the glacier halted, along the edge of what is known as the Driftless Area. Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin's largest state park, contains large areas of the Baraboo Hills. Pewits Nest is located outside Baraboo.

Health and wellness are paramount in Baraboo, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The St. Clare Hospital & Health Services is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Baraboo Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Pulse Fitness, House of Wellness Fitness & Aquatic Center, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Baraboo, such as the Devil's Doorway Loop and West Bluff Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Baraboo, WI are Circus World, International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, and Devil's Lake State Park.

Population: 12,554 (2023). ZIP code: 53913. Area code(s): 608. Elevation: 892 ft (272 m). Area: 7.43 sq mi (19.25 km²).

FAQs

What is Baraboo, WI known for?

Baraboo is most often known as “Circus City” for several reasons, not just for the fact that the Ringling Brothers called Baraboo home and had their winter quarters here through 1918. In 1884 the young Ringling Brothers gave their first official circus performance. They rapidly grew successful and eventually joined forces with the Barnum & Bailey show which gave rise to the name we are all so familiar with: The Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Is Baraboo, WI a good place to live?

Living in Baraboo offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Baraboo, there are a lot of bars and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Baraboo and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Baraboo are above average.

What is the crime rate in Baraboo, WI?

The crime rate in Baraboo is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 18 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Baraboo is 1 in 56. Based on FBI crime data, Baraboo is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Wisconsin, Baraboo has a crime rate that is higher than 86% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Baraboo

St. Clare Hospital & Health Services 

Baraboo Parks and Recreation Department 

Pulse Fitness

House of Wellness Fitness & Aquatic Center 

Anytime Fitness

Devil's Doorway Loop 

West Bluff Trail

Circus World

International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center

Devil's Lake State Park 

History of Baraboo

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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