Pewaukee

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Pewaukee is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The population was 11,783 at the 2000 census. The city was incorporated from what was formerly the Town of Pewaukee. The Village of Pewaukee, which was incorporated out of the town before it incorporated as a city, is surrounded by the city.

The name of the city comes from "Pee-wauk-ee-wee-nick," meaning either "the dusty water or "lake of shells in Potawatomi.

Geography

Pewaukee is located at (43.061408, -88.249484). It is located in the Lake Country area of Waukesha County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²), where 21.8 square miles (56.4 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.8 km²) of it (6.24%) is water.

Pewaukee Area Historical Society

The Clark House Museum, located at 206 East Wisconsin Avenue in the Village of Pewaukee, was originally a stage coach inn on the Watertown Plank Road which ran from Milwaukee to Watertown. The inn was built by Mosely Clark, the son of Pewaukee's first settler, Asa Clark.(The History of the Settlement and Progress of Pewaukee, Wisconsin,1976) The newest museum displays include an extensive exhibit on Native American settlement with emphasis on the Potawatomi as well as an exhibit of election memorabilia. Pictures and artifacts portray a way of life from the early 1900s in the Village and City (formerly the Town.) The Exhibit Building on the Clark House grounds, newly opened in 2007, houses larger artifacts, including farm machinery and a mail wagon.

The Clark House remained in the Clark family until the death of Marietta Clark Larson, great granddaughter of Asa, in 1984. In 1992 the Pewaukee Area Historical Society purchased the property.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,783 people, 4,553 households, and 3,496 families residing in the city. The population density was 541.3 people per square mile (209.0/km²). There were 4,761 housing units at an average density of 218.7/sq mi (84.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Some 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Approximately 31.5% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married to Derek living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. About 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $75,589, and the median income for a family was $80,163. Males had a median income of $55,810 versus $35,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,851. About 0.6% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

The city of Pewaukee was incorporated in 1999, from the parts of the former Town of Pewaukee not included in the already-extant Village of Pewaukee.

The town was established by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature approved 13 January, 1840, more than eight years before Wisconsin gained statehood.

The first recorded town meeting or election was held at the house of E.P. Maynard, April 8,1842. A committee of five was appointed to report on various sums necessary to defray the Town expenses. The committee decided that Assessors, Highway Commissioners and Supervisors should receive $1 per day for services; that the School Commissioners should receive 75 cents per day, and that the Town Clerk and Treasurer should receive compensation as Supervisors saw fit. They also reported in favor of raising $200 for incidental expenses, and for levying a tax of one-half of one cent on taxable property of the Town in support of schools. These resolutions were all adopted.

The first road surveys occurred in June 1842. There were six roads surveyed this year and opened. In 1843, the road districts were increased from five to nine and in 1844, increased to thirteen. The total expenses for services of the town officers and surveyor’s fee and incidentals during 1842 amounted to $82.03. In 1843, there were 130 school children, with a school fund of $150, and 100 resident taxpayers in the town with property assessed at $1,461.50.

Business

Pewaukee is, among other things, the world headquarters of Harken, Inc. Harken, a major manufacturer of high-quality sailboat and yacht gear that is sold worldwide, especially in the racing segment.

Religion

The city is home to one of the largest churches in the Milwaukee area, Spring Creek Church.

Education

Made up of four separate schools that encompass early childhood to the 12th grade, Pewaukee Schools surround a central parking lot decorated with trees and grass. There are two gymnasiums in the high school, and one in each of the other school buildings. The district has one football field with a track around it and a new soccer field that opened for the Boys 2008 soccer season. Pewaukee Lake Elementary school instructs students from early childhood to 3rd grade. Horizon Elementary encompasses grades 4 through 6. Asa Clark Middle School educates the 7th and 8th grades. PHS (Pewaukee High School) is the high school housing grades 9 through 12.

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) has a main campus located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The technical college is part of the 16 tech colleges that make up the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

Pewaukee is also home to two Catholic Grade Schools. Queen of Apostles School, 449 W. Wisconsin Ave, has been there since 1868. Pewaukee is also home to St. Anthony's on the Lake Catholic grade school. Both schools house grades Kindergarten to 8th grade.