Neillsville is a city in and the county seat of Clark County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,384 at the 2020 census.

History

The Ojibwe were the earliest known residents of the Neillsville area. The first settlers of European descent in the area were James O'Neill and his party, who arrived around 1845, looking for a location to build a sawmill along the Black River. The city was named in honor of O'Neill, as was O'Neill Creek, which runs through the center of the city and drains into the Black River.

In 1854, O’Neill's Mill, as Neillsville was originally called, was selected as the county seat of Clark County. Neillsville was platted on April 14, 1855, and incorporated in April 1882.

A Winnebago Indian boarding school was operated by the Evangelical and Reformed Church on the west side of Neillsville from 1921 to 1957.

Neillsville is where noted architect William L. Steele died. Poor health had forced Steele to retire from architecture in late 1946, leaving his eldest son William L. Steele Jr. and partner Josiah D. Sandham in charge of the practice. Steele had come to Neillsville to live with one of his daughters, Sallie (Mrs. Thomas S. Noble Jr.), and died at her house on March 4, 1949.

Geography

Neillsville is located at (44.560996, -90.595746).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

The city lies on US Highway 10 and State Trunk Highway 73.

Climate

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,463 people, 1,095 households, and 586 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,230 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 1,095 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.5% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 43.6 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census and the former home of St. Mary's School of Neillsville, a Catholic school which closed in 1972.

In addition, the Chippewa Valley Technical College has a regional center in Neillsville, which offers GED, associate's degree, and continuing education classes.

Points of interest

The High Ground is a veterans' memorial park located west of Neillsville. Originally a memorial to Vietnam War veterans, it now includes memorials to World War I, World War II, and Korean War veterans.

The Clark County Jail, now a museum, and the Reed School, now a museum, are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Wisconsin Pavilion from the 1964 New York World's Fair was moved to Neillsville at the conclusion of the Fair. The building is now home to local radio station WCCN/WCCN-FM and a gift shop. Chatty-Belle is a large cow statue located on the ground of the Wisconsin Pavilion. She has the distinction of being the World's Largest Talking Cow.

<gallery>

File:Neillsville chatty 6464.jpg|The Wisconsin Pavilion, Wisconsin's 1964 World's Fair exhibit

File:Chatty 6469 copy.jpg|Chatty Belle, the world's largest talking cow, part of the Wisconsin Pavilion

File:Clark County Jail 1897 2.jpg|The old Clark County Jail, built in 1897 and now a historical museum

File:Charles and Theresa Cornelius House Neillsville.jpg|Charles and Theresa Cornelius House

File:Herman and Hanna Hediger House.jpg|Herman M. and Hanna Hediger House

File:John Hein House Neillsville.jpg|John and Maria Hein House

File:Neillsville_Standpipe.jpg|Neillsville Standpipe

File:Charles and Katharyn Sniteman House.jpg|Charles C. and Katharyn Sniteman House

File:George Trogner House.jpg|George W. and Sarah Trogner House

</gallery>

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places in Clark County, Wisconsin

References

  • City of Neillsville official website
  • Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • School District of Neillsville
  • Historical & Architectural Tour Of Neillsville
  • Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1887 1892 1903 1914