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Menasha () is a city in Winnebago and Calumet counties in the U.S. state of
Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...
. The population was 18,268 at the 2020 census. Of this, 15,144 were in Winnebago County, and 2,209 were in Calumet County. The city's name comes from the Winnebago word meaning "thorn" or "island". In the
Menominee language Menominee , also spelled Menomini (In Menominee language: ) is an endangered Algonquian language spoken by the Menominee people of what is now northern Wisconsin in the United States. The federally recognized tribe has been working to encourage ...
, it is known as ''Menāēhsaeh'', meaning "little island". It is part of the
Fox Cities The Fox Cities of Northeastern Wisconsin are the cities, towns and villages along the Fox River as it flows from Lake Winnebago northward into Green Bay. The Fox Cities communities, as defined by its Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visit ...
region of Wisconsin.
Doty Island Doty Island is an island in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Its northern part is in the city of Menasha and its southern part is in the city of Neenah. Doty Island is surrounded by two branches of the Fox River on the north and south, flowing from ...
is located partially in Menasha, which it shares with
Neenah Neenah ( ) is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. It is situated on the banks of Lake Winnebago, Little Lake Butte des Morts, and the Fox River approximately northeast of Oshkosh and southwest of Green Bay. Neenah's popul ...
. Menasha's location on the Fox River and
Lake Winnebago Lake Winnebago (, , ) is a shallow freshwater lake in the north central United States, located in east central Wisconsin. At , it is the largest lake entirely within the state, covering an area of about by with of shoreline, an average depth ...
led to its rich history, dating back to the inhabitation by Native American tribes for centuries. European settlement in the 1800s led to the development of Menasha as a transportation hub and later a center for paper production and wooden ware products.


History

Ancestors of the
Ho-Chunk The Ho-Chunk, also known as Hocąk, Hoocągra, or Winnebago are a Siouan languages, Siouan-speaking Native Americans in the United States, Native American people whose historic territory includes parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois ...
occupied what is currently Menasha. In the 1600s, the
Meskwaki The Meskwaki (sometimes spelled Mesquaki), also known by the European exonyms Fox Indians or the Fox, are a Native American people. They have been closely linked to the Sauk people of the same language family. In the Meskwaki language, th ...
established a village just north of Menasha. A surprise attack by French soldiers and traders resulted in the deaths of nearly all Meskwaki residing in the area. The bodies were subsequently interred in a large mound, known as Butte des Morts ("Hill of the Dead"), which served as a prominent landmark until its destruction by the
Chicago and North Western Railway The Chicago and North Western was a Railroad classes#Class I, Class I railroad in the Midwestern United States. It was also known as the "North Western". The railroad operated more than of track at the turn of the 20th century, and over of t ...
in 1863. In 1836, the land was ceded to the United States in the
Treaty of the Cedars The Treaty of the Cedars was an 1836 agreement between the Menominee Indian nation and the United States in which the Menominee ceded to the United States about of land for $700,000. The agreement opened that huge tract of forest to logging and Wh ...
. This opened up land for public sale, and territorial governor
James Duane Doty James Duane Doty (November 5, 1799 – June 13, 1865) was an American land speculator, politician, and pioneer. He served as the 2nd Governor of Wisconsin, governor (1841–1844) of the Wisconsin Territory and 5th Governor of Utah, governor ...
was one of the first investors in the land. In 1848, Doty and his associates, including Curtis Reed, formed the town of Menasha on the channel north of Doty Island. In 1849, Reed and Doty were successful in convincing the United States government to place the navigational channel of the Fox-Wisconsin waterway through the north channel in Menasha. In 1854 Menasha approved $150,000 in bonding to bring the Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad in with the intent of establishing Menasha as the principal transportation axis in Wisconsin. Menasha was incorporated as a city in 1874, and at that point was considered to be a transportation hub. The early 1900s saw a shift to industrial production of general and specialized papers. Menasha was home to many paper mills including the George A. Whiting Paper Company Mill, the John Strange Paper Mill, Island Paper Company, and Gilbert Paper Company, to name a few. Menasha was also home to the
George Banta Publishing Company Banta Corporation was a major printing, imaging, and supply chain management company of the United States, based in Menasha, Wisconsin, for all of its 105 years. Founded in 1901, it was acquired by Chicago-based RR Donnelley in late 2006. Histo ...
which published textbooks, military manuals, yearbooks, and magazines. Menasha Corporation also called Menasha home. It was established in 1849 by Elisha D. Smith as Menasha Wooden Ware. It produced wooden containers like butter tubs and barrels and eventually became the world's largest wooden ware products manufacturer. After wooden ware products fell out of use in the early 1900s, Menasha Wooden Ware shifted to the corrugated packaging business, changing its name to Menasha Corporation.


Geography

Menasha is located at (44.2129, −88.4362). According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.


Demographics

Menasha is a city in the Appleton–Oshkosh–Neenah CSA, a Combined Statistical Area which includes the Appleton (Calumet and Outagamie counties) and Oshkosh–Neenah ( Winnebago County) metropolitan areas, which had a combined population of 392,660 at the 2010 census and an estimated population of 409,881 as of 2019.


2020 census

At the 2020 census there were 18,268 people residing in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), 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 geog ...
was . The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 1.8% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2%.


2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 17,353 people, 7,405 households, and 4,415 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 7,973 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.9%. Of the 7,405 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 32.2% of households were one person and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 36 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.


2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 16,331 people, 6,951 households, and 4,233 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 7,271 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% White, 0.54% African American, 0.61% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61%. Of the 6,951 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.8% of households were one person and 10.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.99. The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males. The median household income was $39,936 and the median family income was $47,401. Males had a median income of $36,705 versus $25,176 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,743. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% 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 ...
, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.


Religion

The
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), also referred to simply as the Wisconsin Synod, is an American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as Christian theology, theologically conservative, it was founded ...
(WELS) has two churches in Menasha: Bethel Lutheran Church and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Architect
Harry Weese Harry Mohr Weese (June 30, 1915 – October 29, 1998) was an Americans, American architect who had an important role in 20th-century modernism and historic preservation. His brother, Ben Weese, was also a renowned architect. Early life and educat ...
designed Menasha's St Thomas' Episcopal Church.


Parks and recreation

The 91-acre Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is an urban nature reserve with habitats including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, created prairie, open field, and upland forest. The
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus (abbreviated as UWO Fox Cities and formerly known as the University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley) is a branch campus of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a member of the Universiti ...
houses the Weis Earth Science Museum and the Barlow Planetarium. Menasha contains numerous parks. It has a public pool located in Jefferson Park. Smith Park is the oldest park in the Menasha Park system, established in 1897. A railroad caboose in Smith Park commemorates the original Wisconsin Central Railroad. At the southern end of the park are several Native American burial mounds and a natural amphitheater used for summer concerts. The north end of the park features semi-formal gardens planted each year with approximately 6,000 annuals, a setting that is a favorite for summer weddings. A gazebo funded with corporate donations was built in this area in 1997.


Government

The city of Menasha has a
mayor–council government A mayor–council government is a system of local government in which a mayor who is directly elected by the voters acts as chief executive, while a separately elected city council constitutes the legislative body. It is one of the two most comm ...
. There are eight districts in the city, each represented by an aldermen. The council meets weekly with the mayor, Austin Hammond. List of Menasha's village presidents: List of Menasha's mayors:


Education

Menasha's Public School system, called the Menasha Joint School District has one high school ( Menasha High School), one middle school, and five elementary schools. Parochial education is offered at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School, Bethel Lutheran School (elementary and middle), and Trinity Lutheran School (elementary and middle). Menasha was home to the
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus (abbreviated as UWO Fox Cities and formerly known as the University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley) is a branch campus of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a member of the Universiti ...
, a two-year campus part of the UW System. The campus closed in 2025 as part of four other campus closures.


Friendly cities

*
Maebashi is the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 335,352 in 151,171 households, and a population density of 1100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . It was ...
, Japan


Notable people

* Joseph H. Anderson, legislator * John A. Bryan, U.S. diplomat * Silas Bullard, jurist and legislator *
Elmer J. Burr Elmer J. Burr (May 11, 1908 – December 25, 1942) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. Biography Burr was born on May 11, ...
,
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
recipient * Arnold J. Cane, jurist and legislator *
Connie Clausen Connie Clausen (born Constance Clausen on June 11, 1923, in Menasha, Wisconsin, and died September 7, 1997, in New York City) was an American actress, author, and literary agent. Career Connie Clausen's career began in 1942 at the age of 19 ...
, television and Broadway actress, literary agent, and author of "I Love You Honey but The Season's Over", a memoir about Menasha * Jean Pond Miner Coburn, sculptor * Samuel A. Cook, U.S. Representative *
John Dollard John Dollard (29 August 1900 – 8 October 1980) was an American psychologist and social scientist known for his studies on race relations in America and the frustration-aggression hypothesis he proposed with Neal E. Miller and others. Life a ...
, psychologist * William Duchman, legislator and sawmill operator * A. D. Eldridge, legislator and businessman * William P. Grimes, legislator and businessman * Eric Hinske, hitting coach for the
Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...
and former
American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...
Rookie of the Year * Joan Jaykoski, baseball player * James C. Kerwin, Wisconsin Supreme Court * Dave Koslo,
MLB Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
player for the
New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
,
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
, and the
Milwaukee Braves The Milwaukee Braves were a Major League Baseball club that played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1953 to 1965, having previously played in Boston, Massachusetts, as the Boston Braves. After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1966 they were rename ...
* Jean Kraft, opera singer * Publius Virgilius Lawson, six-term mayor, historian, manufacturer, lawyer *
George Liberace George Liberace (July 31, 1911 – October 16, 1983) was an American musician and television performer. Biography Born in Menasha, Wisconsin on July 31, 1911, George Liberace was the elder brother and business partner of famed entertainer Libe ...
, musician and television performer, older brother of
Liberace Władziu Valentino Liberace (May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987) was an American pianist, singer and actor. He was born in Wisconsin to parents of Italian and Polish Americans, Polish origin and enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, ...
*
Jeff Loomis Jeff Loomis (born September 14, 1971) is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore during its existence from 1991 to 2011, as well as brief tenures in its precursor, Sanctuary (band) ...
, heavy metal guitarist * Thomas J. O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor of
Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...
* Curtis Reed, mayor of Menasha, businessman *
Richard J. Steffens Richard J. Steffens (August 23, 1921 – January 2, 2008) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Biography Steffens was born on August 23, 1921, in Neenah, Wisconsin. In 1939, he was valedictorian of his high school class in Menasha, Wisco ...
, legislator * Leslie J. Westberg,
U.S. Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its origins to 1 ...
brigadier general


References


Further reading

* Adams, Arva Luther, Caryl Chandler Herziger, and Winifred Anderson Pawlowski. 1993. ''A tale of twin cities : or the development of the Fox River Waterway''. Neenah, Wisconsin: Neenah Historical Society. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/RDTQFMZZZV23G8A * Auer, James M. 1953. ''Centennial memories : a brief history of Menasha, Wisconsin''. Menasha, Wisconsin: Auer. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/VXQYJCGMJQP6M9B * Galassie, David, and Menasha Historical Society. 2012. ''Menasha''. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. https://search.worldcat.org/en/title/775415397 * Galassie, David. 2018. ''Neenah and Menasha : Twin Cities of the Fox Valley''. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. https://search.worldcat.org/en/title/1015857288 * Stone, H.A. 1887. ''The first city of the lower Fox River : Menasha, Wisconsin''. Neenah, Wisconsin: H. A. Stone, printer. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/JNXZZP2ZV6GUB8S


External links


City of Menasha
* {{authority control Cities in Wisconsin Cities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin Cities in Calumet County, Wisconsin Appleton–Fox Cities metropolitan area