Lodi ( ) is a city in Columbia County,

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

, United States. The population was 3,189 at the 2020 census. Lodi is part of the

Madison Madison may refer to: People * Madison (name), a given name and a surname * James Madison (1751–1836), fourth president of the United States Place names * Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital of Wisconsin and the largest city known by this ...

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally Incorporated town, incorporate ...

History

Isaac Palmer founded the village of Lodi in 1846 in what was then the Pleasant Valley Precinct of the

Wisconsin Territory The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin. Belmont was ...

. He named it after Lodi, in Italy. Palmer chose this glaciated valley as the location for the village because of its water power potential. Spring Creek powered a sawmill that year and a grist mill followed in 1850.

Historic places

* Frank T. and Polly Lewis House * Lodi School Hillside Improvement Site * Portage Street Historic District

Geography

Lodi is located at (43.314296, −89.530994). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the city has a total area of , all of it land. Spring Creek, which runs from the Lodi Marsh through downtown Lodi and empties into

Lake Wisconsin Lake Wisconsin is a reservoir on the Wisconsin River in southern Wisconsin in the United States. It is located in Columbia and Sauk counties, approximately southeast of Baraboo and NNW of Madison. Today it is home to the Wisconsin wine appella ...

, is a local spring-fed brown trout stream. Portions of the creek do not freeze over the winter and thus serve as host to brown trout and waterfowl, particularly mallards. Lodi has adopted a Spring Creek resident mallard, which the residents have named "Susie the Duck", as a mascot. The city is completely surrounded by the town of Lodi.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...

of 2010, there were 3,050 people, 1,224 households, and 796 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was . There were 1,272 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.3%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

, 0.3%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.5% Native American, 1.0%

Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

, 0.1%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...

, 0.8% from

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

, and 1.0% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 2.0% of the population. There were 1,224 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 2,882 people, 1,141 households, and 745 families residing in the city. The

was 2,008.6 people per square mile (778.1/km²). There were 1,199 housing units at an average density of 835.7 per square mile (323.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.27%

, 0.17%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white have o ...

, 0.28% Native American, 0.24%

, 0.03%

, 0.31% from

, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were

of any race. There were 1,141 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were

living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $51,357, and the median income for a family was $57,763. Males had a median income of $37,049 versus $27,063 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $23,546. About 1.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over. In 2018, the median household income of Lodi residents was $72,944. Lodi households made slightly more than Shorewood households ($72,903) and Waukau households ($72,917) . However, 7.0% of Lodi residents live in poverty.

Susie the Duck

Susie the Duck has been the town's official mascot since 1948. On

Wisconsin Highway 113 State Trunk Highway 113 (often called Highway 113, STH-113 or WIS 113) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs in north–south in south central Wisconsin from Madison to Baraboo, The highway uses the Merrimac Ferry, the la ...

in downtown Lodi is a small creek-side park where visitors can buy dried corn from

vending machine A vending machine is an automated machine that provides items such as snacks, beverages, cigarettes, and lottery tickets to consumers after cash, a credit card, or other forms of payment are inserted into the machine or otherwise made. The fir ...

s to feed the wild ducks. The machines have since fallen into disuse. In this area is a small stone basket, inscribed with the name of former Lodi resident Engle Knerzer, and every year a duck builds a nest there. When the first mallard settled in that location in 1948, it was nicknamed "Susie" by the granddaughter of the police chief. There is an annual "Susie the Duck Day" celebration, the highlight of which is the rubber duck race. Participants pay a fee for a small rubber duck. The thousands of ducks are then dumped into the creek where they "race" toward a finish line and prizes are awarded based on order of finish. The day's celebrations also include a parade, activities in Goeres Park,

brat Brat, Brats, The Brat or similar may refer to: Term for young people * Spoiled child * Military brat ** Military brat (U.S. subculture) * Trenchard Brat, a nickname for aircraft apprentices in the British Royal Air Force Films * ''The Br ...

stands on Main Street and in Goeres Park, and a

beer garden A beer garden (German: ''Biergarten'') is an outdoor area in which beer and food are served, typically at shared tables shaded by trees. Beer gardens originated in Bavaria, of which Munich is the capital city, in the 19th century, and remain co ...

in the park.

Recreation

Lodi Agricultural Fair

Lodi is one of three cities in Wisconsin to have its own fair. This free fair begins on the first Thursday of July and runs through Sunday. Exhibits include livestock judging, school artwork, baking contests, and local organization display booths. There are carnival rides and games. Attractions include tractor pulls, a demolition derby, a live music beer garden, and a high school alumni softball tournament. In 2015, the Lodi Agricultural Fair marked its 150th anniversary, which was celebrated by adding an additional day onto the event.

Ice Age Trail

A portion of the

Ice Age National Scenic Trail The Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail stretching in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. The trail is administered by the National Park Service, and is constructed and maintained by private and public agencies including the Ice ...

runs through Lodi. Lodi's chapter of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation maintains an office in downtown Lodi, with access to the trail several hundred yards away. The longest section of the trail in the area is about 6.2 miles. It begins at the Robertson Trailhead, south of Lodi on Lodi-Springfield Road off of Hwy. 60 West. Several other segments of the trail are located in or near Lodi, including a 1.3-mile segment on the corner of Lovering and Highway J and a 21-mile section north of the Colsac III Ferry on

Transportation

Major highways

Wisconsin Highway 60 State Trunk Highway 60, often called Highway 60, STH-60 or WIS 60, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It runs east–west in southern Wisconsin from Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi River at the Iowa state line to the ...

- heads west to Prairie du Sac and

Sauk City Sauk City is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States, North America. The population was 3,518 as of the 2020 census. The first incorporated village in the state, the community was founded by Agoston Haraszthy and his business partner, R ...

; east to

I-39 Interstate 39 (I-39) is a highway in the Midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois, at I-55 to State Trunk Highway 29 (WIS 29) in the town of Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, which is approximately south of Wausau. I- ...

/ 90/ 94, Arlington, and

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

- heads south to

Dane Dane or Danes may refer to: People Pertaining to Denmark * Dane, somebody from Denmark * Danes, an ethnic group native to Denmark * Danes (Germanic tribe) Other people * Dane (name), a surname and a given name (and a list of people with the nam ...

and Waunakee; north to

, the

Merrimac Ferry The Merrimac Ferry is a cable ferry that crosses the Wisconsin River between Columbia and Sauk Counties in Wisconsin. Its western point is located near the village of Merrimac on State Highway 113 and United States Bicycle Route 30. The east ...

, and

Baraboo Baraboo is a city in the Midwest 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. Its 2020 population was 12,556. It is situ ...

. Serves as the city's Main Street.

Airport

The Lodi Lakeland Airport (FAA ID 9WN5) is a publicly owned general aviation airport north of the city center. The airport is owned by the town of Lodi and operated by a local organization.

Railroad

A Wisconsin and Southern (reporting mark WSOR) railroad line runs through town en route north to

and Reedsburg and south to

, Waunakee, and

. This section of railroad was formerly the

CNW The Chicago and North Western was a Class I railroad In the United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily ...

mainline, reached Lodi in 1872 and was fully completed in 1873, and linked

Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...

and Fond Du Lac, with intercity travel provided in the towns in between by C&NW. Two sets of tracks were originally built, although only one remains today in most locations along this line. It was then briefly owned by

Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , legally Union Pacific Railroad Company and often called simply Union Pacific, is a freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Paci ...

after it merged with CNW in 1995, and a lease was signed in 1996 by Wisconsin and Southern for rights to this trackage included in a Madison-area ex-C&NW trackage deal.Steve Glischinski, Wisconsin & Southern at 25, ''

Trains In rail transport, a train (from Old French , from Latin , "to pull, to draw") is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and transport people or freight. Trains are typically pulled or pushed by locomotives (often know ...

'', October 2005, pp. 38-45 The line now runs through Lodi from

to Reedsburg, and trains that run along it are recognized as L463. Ex-Union Pacific and ex-

Burlington Northern The Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996. Its historical lineage begins in the earliest days of railroadin ...

units that now belong to WSOR still occasionally run in the area, although most have been repainted. During the line's early days, Lodi had a depot where trains could refill with water, fuel, receive and deport cargo and passengers, and send

telegraphs Telegraphs were an alternative rock band based in Brighton, England. Biography Formed in 2005, Telegraphs was made up of members Darcy Harrison (vocals), Hattie Williams (bass/vocals), Sam Bacon (drums), Darren LeWarne (guitar) and Aung Yay ...

. The depot and adjacent feed mill have long been demolished, but its foundation and platform still remains between the Church Street

grade crossing A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, path, or (in rare situations) airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using an overpass or tunnel. The term also ...

and the Sauk Street grade crossing, and a barren lot remains where they once stood. The Lodi Canning Company is still capable of cargo shipments consisting mainly of canned vegetables and plant products. The plant's siding has been seen storing track maintenance equipment such as

tamping machine A tamping machine or ballast tamper, informally simply a tamper, is a self-propelled, rail-mounted machine used to pack (or tamp) the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks and roadbed more durable and level. Prior to the int ...

s and

rolling stock The term rolling stock in the rail transport industry refers to railway vehicles, including both powered and unpowered vehicles: for example, locomotives, freight and passenger cars (or coaches), and non-revenue cars. Passenger vehicles can b ...

Notable people

* Arnie F. Betts, Wisconsin State Representative, lived in Lodi * William G. Bissell, Wisconsin State Senator, lived in Lodi. *

Robert Caldwell Robert Caldwell (7 May 1814 – 28 August 1891) was a missionary for London Missionary Society. He arrived in India at age 24, studied the local language to spread the word of Bible in a vernacular language, studies that led him to author a tex ...

, Wisconsin state legislator, was president of the village of Lodi. *

Joseph Detmer Joseph "Joe" Detmer (born November 3, 1983) is an American athlete, competing in the icosathlon, decathlon and heptathlon. Career In 2010, after he won the Thorpe Cup and became third at the USA national championships decathlon, Joe Detmer c ...

, athlete, lived in Lodi. * William S. Dwinnell, former

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

State Senator, was born in Lodi. * Harold Groves, Wisconsin State legislator, was born in Lodi. * William P. Groves, Wisconsin State Representative, was born in Lodi. *

Scott McCallum James Scott McCallum (born May 2, 1950) is an American businessman and former politician. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 43rd governor of Wisconsin, ascending from the Lieutenant Governorship when Tommy Thompson resigned in 2001 ...

, former Governor of

, lives in Lodi. *

Albert O'Connor Albert O'Connor (July 15, 1843 – April 3, 1928) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor. O'Connor was born on July 15, 1843, in East Hereford, Canada East. His official residence was listed as L ...

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

recipient, lived in Lodi. * Wesley L. Packard, former Wisconsin State Representative, was Mayor of Lodi. * Keith Ripp, Wisconsin state legislator, lives in Lodi. * Tracy Sachtjen,

Olympic Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece b ...

athlete, world champion curler, lives in Lodi. *

Tom Wopat Thomas Steven Wopat (born September 9, 1951) is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Lucas K. "Luke" Duke on the long-running television action/comedy series ''The Dukes of Hazzard''. Since then, Wopat has worked regularly, ...

, actor from ''

The Dukes of Hazzard ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy TV series that was aired on CBS from January 26, 1979 to February 8, 1985. The show aired for 147 episodes spanning seven seasons. It was consistently among the top-rated television series ...

,'' was born in Lodi.

Images

File:Lodi Wisconsin Downtown Looking West WIS60.jpg, Looking west at downtown Lodi on WIS60 File:Lodi Wisconsin Police Department.jpg, Police department File:Lodi Wisconsin Public Library.jpg, Public library File:Lodi Wisconsin City Hall.jpg, City hall File:Lodi Wisconsin Sign looking westerly WIS60.jpg, Looking west at the sign for Lodi on WIS60 File:Spring Creek Park Lodi Wisconsin.jpg, Spring Creek Park in downtown Lodi File:Frank T. and Polly Lewis House 3.JPG, Frank T. and Polly Lewis House File:Prairie Street Historic District 6.JPG, Part of the Lodi Street-Prairie Street Historic District

References

External links

City of LodiLodi & Lake Wisconsin Chamber of CommerceSchool District of Lodi
*Sanborn fire insurance maps
1892189819041919
{{authority control Cities in Wisconsin Cities in Columbia County, Wisconsin Populated places established in 1846 1846 establishments in Wisconsin Territory