Fond du Lac () is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 43,021 at the 2010 census. The population increased to 44,678 at the 2020 census. The city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Fond du Lac County (2017 population: 102,548). Fond du Lac is the 342nd largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in the United States. The Fond du Lac MSA and the Beaver Dam (city), Wisconsin Micropolitan Statistical Area, form the larger Fond du Lac-Beaver Dam Combined Statistical Area.
History
"Fond du Lac" is French for the "bottom" or the "farthest point" "of the lake," so named because of its location at the bottom (south end) of Lake Winnebago.
Native American tribes, primarily the Winnebagos but also the Potawatomi, Kickapoo, and Mascoutin lived or gathered in the area long before European explorers arrived. Although the identity of the first European to explore the southern end of Lake Winnebago is uncertain, it was probably Claude-Jean Allouez, followed by French fur trappers. James Doty, a federal judge for the western part of the Michigan Territory, thought the land at the foot of Lake Winnebago might be a good location for a city, so he and his partners bought land in the area. In 1836, during the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, John Arndt proposed making Fond du Lac the new capital. The motion failed, and Doty convinced the legislature to choose Madison instead. Colwert, Fanna Pier and Alex Tomasik were the first white residents of the area. In 1835, the construction of the Military Ridge Road began. It passed through Fond du Lac, connecting the forts in Wisconsin and Fort Dearborn in Illinois. The first school in Fond du Lac was built in 1843. The first railroad came to the community in 1852. About 1856, the first English newspaper in Fond du Lac, the Fond du Lac Commonwealth, was founded. Logging and milling were primary industries in the late 1880s, with access to the lake as the engine of the industry.
From June 1944 to August 1944, the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds was the site of an Allied prisoner of war camp that held 300 German prisoners of war guarded by 39 U.S. soldiers. The prisoners worked on peas farms and in canneries that summer.
Historic districts
Fond du Lac has 20 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, including four historic districts: the South Main Street Historic District, the North Main Street Historic District, the Linden Street Historic District, and the East Division Street-Sheboygan Street Historic District. Other listings include six houses, two octagon houses, two hotels, a church, a fire station, a train depot, an apartment building, a commercial building, and a prehistoric site. Most of the buildings listed in the register were a result of economic prosperity following the lumber industry boom in the Fox Valley and the newly rich building residences in the area.
Geography
Fond du Lac is at (43.775, −88.445).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.
Fond du Lac lies on the southern shore of Lake Winnebago. The east and west branches of the Fond du Lac River connect in the city and the river then flows into Lake Winnebago near Lakeside Park.
Climate
The record low was −41 °F (−41 °C) on January 30, 1951. The record high was 111 °F (44 °C) on July 13, 1936; the days immediately before and after that date hit 109 °F and 110 °F, respectively.
Demographics
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Fond du Lac is the larger principal city of the Fond du Lac-Beaver Dam CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Fond du Lac metropolitan area (Fond du Lac County) and the Beaver Dam micropolitan area (Dodge County), which had a combined population of 183,193 at the 2000 census.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 43,021 people, 17,942 households, and 10,395 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 19,181 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 90.6% White, 2.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 2.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.4% of the population.
There were 17,942 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,203 people, 16,638 households, and 10,282 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,501.3 people per square mile (965.9/km2). There were 17,519 housing units at an average density of 1,038.3 per square mile (401.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.59% White, 1.86% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 2.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,638 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,113, and the median income for a family was $50,341. Males had a median income of $35,682 versus $22,492 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,996. About 4.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Fond du Lac has a city manager-council form of government. The city council is composed of seven individuals, who are elected to two-year terms. The current city manager is Joseph P. Moore and the council president is Kay Miller.
Fond du Lac is represented by Dan Feyen in the 18th district of the Wisconsin Senate, and by Jeremy Thiesfeldt and Michael Schraa in the 52nd and 53rd districts of the Wisconsin Assembly. At a federal level, Fond du Lac falls within Wisconsin's 6th congressional district and is represented by Glenn Grothman in the United States House of Representatives.
Religion
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has four churches in Fond du Lac: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and Faith Lutheran Church.
Fond du Lac's population is about one-third Roman Catholic. In 2000 the six Catholic parishes merged into a single entity called Holy Family Catholic Community. St. Louis Catholic Church burned down in 2007 and the building was demolished. The St. Patrick and St. Joseph churches closed, while Sacred Heart, St. Mary, and St. Peter remain open.
The motherhouse of the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes] is in Fond du Lac. The order founded and continues to sponsor [https://www.marianuniversity.edu/ Marian University in Fond du Lac.
Fond du Lac is the episcopal see of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac. St. Paul's Cathedral is the diocese's mother church.
Fond du Lac also has a synagogue, Temple Beth Israel. Although Jewish people first came to Fond du Lac in the late 19th century, the first synagogue was not established until 1914.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a local ward meetinghouse.
Education
Fond du Lac is served by the Fond du Lac School District. Its schools include:
Chegwin Elementary School (grades K–5)
Evans Elementary School (grades K–5)
Lakeshore Elementary School (grades K–5)
Parkside Elementary School (grades K–5)
Pier Elementary School (grades K–5)
Riverside Elementary School (grades K–5)
Roberts Elementary School (grades K–5)
Rosenow Elementary School (grades K–5)
Waters Elementary School (grades K–5)
STEM Academy (grades 3–5)
STEM Institute (grades 6–12)
Sabish Middle School (grades 6–8)
Theisen Middle School (grades 6–8)
Woodworth Middle School (grades 6–8)
Fond du Lac High School (grades 9–12)
St. Mary's Springs Academy is Fond du Lac's Catholic school system. It educates students in K3 through grade 12.
Fond du Lac also has four Lutheran primary schools.
The original Fond du Lac High School, built in 1922, was Fond du Lac's only public high school to 2001. The name of the high school changed to L.(owell) P.(ierce?). Goodrich High School, . The original part of the high school, located solely on Linden St., was torn down about the time the new high school was built. When the current Fond du Lac High School on Campus Dr. was built (which is still Fond du Lac's only public high school), the addition part of the former building (opened 1965), located mostly on 9th St. became partially the administration building for the school district (9th St.) and partially Riverside Elementary School (Linden St.).
Private secondary schools in Fond du Lac include: Winnebago Lutheran Academy, a Lutheran (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) high school; St. Mary Springs High School, a Catholic high school; Fond du Lac Christian School, an interdenominational K–12 school; and Trinity Baptist School, a Baptist K–12 school.
Fond du Lac is the home of three colleges: Marian University, a private Catholic four-year university; the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus, a two-year campus in the University of Wisconsin Colleges; and Moraine Park Technical College, a two-year technical college in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Media
Newspapers
The Reporter – Daily newspaper, owned by Gannett Newspapers
Action Advertiser – Free newspaper printed on Wednesdays and Sundays, also owned by Gannett.
Radio
KFIZ – One of the oldest radio stations in Wisconsin, broadcasts out of Fond du Lac. KFIZ first went on the air in 1922 when Oscar Huelsman turned on the transmitter. Branded as News-Talk 1450 KFIZ.
WFON – Sister station to KFIZ. Country format. Branded as 107.1 The Bull.
WFDL-FM – Sunny 97.7 FM is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Contemporary format.
Television
WIWN – A television station (virtual channel 68, physical channel 5) carrying Cozi TV; transmits from Milwaukee rather than its city of license to receive market-wide coverage (although Fond du Lac is part of the Green Bay television market).
Business and industry
The largest employer in Fond du Lac is Mercury Marine, a division of the Brunswick Corporation. Mercury Marine, which has its world headquarters in Fond du Lac, is the largest maker of outboard motors in the world, employing approximately 2,500 people in its factory and offices. Other industry includes Giddings & Lewis, a manufacturer of machine tools, owned by the Fives Group; Brenner Tank, a builder of transport tankers; Chicago Tube & Iron, a division of Olympic Steel; Saputo Cheese; and J. F. Ahern, a mechanical and fire protection company.
Fond du Lac is also home to a Nielsen Corporation data gathering center. Other businesses include Charter Communications, Society Insurance and an office of Anthem.
Fond du Lac has one hospital, St. Agnes Hospital.
Shopping
The main retailers in Fond du Lac include Kohl's, Walmart, Target, T.J. Maxx,, Mills Fleet Farm and Menards. The primary grocery stores consist of Walmart, Pick-n-Save, Aldi, Save-Alot, Festival Foods, and Piggly Wiggly, along with smaller and ethnic supermarkets. Forest Mall was torn down in the summer/fall of 2020, with Kohls remaining. As of early 2021, a Meijer is announced to replace a portion of the old mall, and a Big Lots and Hobby Lobby now replace the former Shopko.
Culture
Fond du Lac is the county seat of Fond du Lac County and the site of the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. The Fond du Lac County Fair takes place annually in late July.
Fond du Lac is also host to Walleye Weekend, an annual summer festival centered around the Mercury Marine National Walleye Fishing Tournament. Walleye Weekend, usually hosted on the second weekend in June is a "Free Family Fun Festival" held in Lakeside Park on the south shore of Lake Winnebago.
An annual fall festival is also held in September, called Fondue Fest. The festival was first held in September 2007 when a collaboration project between The Melting Pot and Brenner Tank created and set the Guinness World Record for the world's largest fondue set. The festival has been held since.
Fond du Lac has a children's museum, which displays rotating child-centric exhibits.
Sports
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Marian University have teamed up to create the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders baseball team in 2017. The Dock Spiders won the Northwoods League Championship in 2018 and 2020. The team uses Herr-Baker Field on the Marian University campus.
Parks
The largest park in Fond du Lac, Lakeside Park has more than of open recreational space on the south end of Lake Winnebago. Year-round activities include a whitetail deer exhibit. Summer activities include flower displays, boating, picnics, and weddings within the park. April 15 to October 15, the Lakeside Park Lighthouse(built 1933) and its observation tower are open to people. Visitors can ride on a miniature train and an antique carousel. The park also has four jungle gyms and a petting zoo. A steam locomotive stands at the Main Street entrance to the park, donated by the Soo Line in 1955. Lakeside Park hosts a holiday event featuring a "dancing lights" display, decorations and music.
Buttermilk Creek Park is a large, grassy, hilly park containing an amphitheater, tennis courts, two jungle gyms, and a sledding hill.
Other parks include: Taylor Park and Pool, Butzen (Danbury) Park, Jefferson Park, Fairgrounds Park and Pool, and Playmore Park.
Transportation
Airport
Fond du Lac County Airport
Commercial airline service for Fond du Lac is provided by Appleton International Airport in Greenville and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.
Rail
Canadian National Railway operates the only railroad in Fond du Lac. Fond du Lac was the headquarters of the Wisconsin Central Railroad until 2001. It was part of the Soo Line until 1987.
Mass transit
Fond du Lac Area Transit is the city's local public transit operator. The first public transit in Fond du Lac was a privately owned streetcar service in the 1880s; it converted to buses from 1944 to 1967. After several private operators, the bus system ceased operations in December 1967. In August 1968 the Fondy Area Bus Cooperative was established to provide bus service by support of private citizens and businesses, in lieu of a municipal one; however, it asked the city for financial support in 1970.
The current city-owned transit system began operations on January 15, 1973, following the successful passing of the referendum on November 7, 1972. It operates eight bus routes (with one of those routes operating only in the morning and afternoon to service K–12 schools), as well as a Paratransit service and taxi service for areas that the bus system does not reach.
Roads and highways
Notable people
Politics and law
William Aldrich, U.S. Representative from Illinois
Warren Braun, Wisconsin State Senator
Thomas Cale, U.S. Congressional Delegate from Alaska Territory
Flora Cheney, Illinois State Representative
Theodore Conkey, Wisconsin State Senator
John P. Dobyns, Wisconsin State Representative
Harrison H. Dodd, Mayor of Fond du Lac
Mary Beth Dolin, Canadian politician
F. Ryan Duffy, U.S. Senator and Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals
William H. Ebbets, Wisconsin State Representative
Charles A. Eldredge, U.S. Representative
L. J. Fellenz, Wisconsin State Senator
Louis J. Fellenz, Jr., Wisconsin State Senator
Maurice J. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wisconsin State Representative
Rudolph W. E. Fritzke, Wisconsin State Representative
Edwin H. Galloway, Wisconsin State Representative
Earl Gilson, Wisconsin State Representative
J. Herbert Green, Wisconsin State Senator
Herbert J. Grover, educator and politician
Corwin C. Guell, Wisconsin State Representative
E. Harold Hallows, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Joseph H. Hardgrove, Wisconsin State Representative
William Hiner, Wisconsin State Senator and Mayor of Fond du Lac
Charles Hoeflinger, Wisconsin State Representative
Paul O. Husting, U.S. Senator
Edward H. Jenison, U.S. Representative from Illinois
Raphael Katz, Wisconsin State Representative
Gaines A. Knapp, Wisconsin State Representative
Louie Augustus Lange, Wisconsin State Representative
Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin Attorney General
Rensselaer Morse Lewis, Wisconsin state legislator
William H. Loucks, South Dakota State Representative
John B. Macy, U.S. Representative, drowned on the steamer Niagara
Scott McCallum, Governor of Wisconsin
Earl F. McEssy, Wisconsin State Representative
Carlton W. Mauthe, Wisconsin State Representative
Robert W. Monk, Wisconsin State Senator
Charles Henry Morgan, U.S. Representative from Missouri
Ronald E. Nehring, Utah Supreme Court Associate Justice
Morgan Noble, Wisconsin State Representative
William J. Nuss, Wisconsin State Representative
Leo P. O'Brien, Wisconsin State Senator
George B. Perkins, Iowa state legislator and businessman
Tom Petri, U.S. Representatives
Kate Hamilton Pier, lawyer
John Abner Race, U.S. Representative
Michael K. Reilly, U.S. Representative
Henry Rollman, Wisconsin State Senator
Samuel M. Smead, Wisconsin State Senator
Thomas Wilson Spence, legislator and lawyer
Samuel B. Stanchfield, Wisconsin State Senator
George Eaton Sutherland, Wisconsin State Senator
Nathaniel Tallmadge, U.S. Senator from New York
David Taylor, judge
William K. Van Pelt, U.S. Representative
Thomas S. Weeks, Wisconsin State Representative
Owen A. Wells, U.S. Representative
Sports
Ed Aspatore, NFL player
Bob Blewett, MLB player
Ken Criter, NFL player
Drake Diener, professional basketball player
Travis Diener, assistant coach for Marquette, former pro basketball player, cousin of Drake Diener
Jim Dilling, track & field high jumper
Paul Erickson, MLB player
Jim Gantner, MLB player
Bill Guilfoile, baseball public relations
Bert Husting, MLB player
Colin Kaepernick, NFL quarterback
Ann Klapperich, professional basketball player
Nubs Kleinke, MLB player
Polly Koch, professional football player
Cory Raymer, center for Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers
Eric Schafer, mixed martial arts fighter in UFC
Robert Windsor, NFL player
Military
Edward S. Bragg, Union Army general, U.S. Representative, U.S. Ambassador
Charles Henry De Groat, Union Army general
Charles Smith Hamilton, Union Army Major General
Edward McGlachlin, Jr., U.S. Army Major General
Hugh J. McGrath, Medal of Honor recipient
James Megellas, U.S. Army officer who commanded company "H" of 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in World War II
Lyman M. Ward, Union Army general
David E. Wood, Union army colonel
Other
Jeanne Bice, television personality, founder of Quaker Factory clothing line
Brigid Bazlen, actress
Jonathon Brandmeier, Chicago radio personality on WGN-AM
Julia Colman (1828–1909), American temperance educator, activist, editor, writer
Alice Arnold Crawford (1850–1874), poet
Edward L. Doheny, oil tycoon
Jeanna Giese, first person known to have been successfully treated for rabies without receiving a vaccine
King Camp Gillette, inventor of the safety razor and founder of the Gillette Company
Don Gorske, Big Mac enthusiast and Guinness World Record holder of most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime
Gordon Hammes, professor
Ronald W. Langacker, professor of linguistics
Christian Patterson, artist
Daniel Plainview, oil baron
Pablo Ervin Schmitz Simon, Roman Catholic bishop
Darold Treffert, psychiatrist
