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Reedsburg, WI

Frequently asked questions

Reedsburg, WI

Reedsburg is a city in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States within the Baraboo micropolitan area. Its population in 2020 was 9,984. The city is surrounded by the Town of Reedsburg and is situated along the Baraboo River.

Before the arrival of non-indigenous people in the 19th century, the region was home to groups of Ho-Chunk. Established as a village in 1868, the community was named after early settler David C. Reed.

Reedsburg is located in northern Sauk County, approximately 55 miles (89 km) north of Madison, Wisconsin. The city sits on the 90th meridian west at 

43°32′1″N 90°0′10″W (43.533854, -90.002902). A pink quartzite marker on Main Street reads 325 feet east of this point lies the 90th meridian. The marker was dedicated on October 14, 1963, to designate Reedsburg's unique location. It was donated by Whitney Memorials and erected by the Kiwanis Club.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.93 square miles (15.36 km²), of which 5.83 square miles (15.10 km²) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km²) is water. The Baraboo River flows through the city.

Lake Virginia is a small lake on the east side of Reedsburg. Lake Redstone and Dutch Hollow Lake are 2 reservoirs located in the nearby town of La Valle. Babb Creek, Hay Creek, and Copper Creek, tributaries of the Baraboo River, all flow through Reedsburg. Babb Creek was named for early settler James W. Babb. Hay and Copper Creek were named for the farming and short-lived mining industry in Reedsburg.

Early settlers came to this area due to the abundance of natural resources, especially lumber. In 1844, the first copper mine was established in this area, but it was soon abandoned. James W. Babb and his wife Rebecca Scarff Babb are the earliest recorded settlers, having brought their family to Wisconsin from Ohio in 1845. At a place 55 miles northeast of Mineral Point (the capital of Wisconsin Territory), long identified by the Winnebago who inhabited these lands as a convenient place to cross the Baraboo River, Babb left a flat-bottomed boat to help move supplies. 

At "Babb's Ford," in 1847 David C. Reed built a dam and a shanty to house the workers who constructed it. In June 1848 a sawmill followed. By 1850, "Shanty Row" comprised five tamarack shanties. These initial buildings were of poor construction and did not have a strong foundation, due to the marshland created by the Baraboo River. Main Street would later be built where "Shanty Row" stood.

Reedsburg was platted in 1852, and four years later the community had grown to 50 buildings housing 27 families and 122 people. The first bridge across the Baraboo River was built in 1853, located where the Main Street bridge would later be built. In 1854 the Mackey brothers purchased Reed's sawmill and brought economic security to the area. As the town was growing, more farms continued to be developed around the area, cultivating a variety of crops.

Health and wellness are paramount in Reedsburg, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Reedsburg Area Medical Center is a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Reedsburg 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 Anytime Fitness and Peterson & Company Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Reedsburg, such as the Turtleville Trail Loop and South Fern Dell Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Reedsburg, WI are Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue, The 400 State Trail, and Lake Redstone Park.

Population: 10,057 (2022). ZIP Code: 53959. Area code: 608. Elevation: 938 ft (286 m). Area: 6.04 sq mi (15.65 km²).

FAQs

What is Reedsburg, WI is known for?

In 1910, the Central Wisconsin Creamery opened, making Reedsburg famous for its butter production. In 1954, when Appleton Woolen Mills shifted focus to felts, the business in Reedsburg reorganized to emphasize novelty fabrics. The Big Store burned down in 1957, after 78 years of service.

Who founded Reedsburg, WI?

David C. Reed, hearing of deposits of iron and copper in the area, soon followed. He built a saw and grist mill on the river and five shanties made of wood to house the laborers. Their shanties became known as Shanty Row and stood approximately where Main Street is today.

What is the crime rate in Reedsburg, WI?

The crime rate in Reedsburg is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 17 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 Reedsburg is 1 in 57. Based on FBI crime data, Reedsburg is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Wisconsin, Reedsburg has a crime rate that is higher than 85% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Reedsburg

Reedsburg Area Medical Center 

Reedsburg Parks and Recreation Department 

Anytime Fitness 

Peterson & Company Fitness

Turtleville Trail Loop 

South Fern Dell Loop

Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue

The 400 State Trail

Lake Redstone Park

Neighborhoodscout

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