Two Rivers, Wisconsin

Two Rivers is a city in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 12,639 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Two Rivers. A small portion extends west into the adjacent Town of Manitowoc. It is best known for being the birthplace of the ice cream sundae [cite web |url=http://www.tworiverseconomicdevelopment.org/relocation/history-sundae.htm |title= Two Rivers - The REAL Birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae |publisher= Two Rivers Economic Development |accessdate=2007-06-26] (though other cities, such as Ithaca, New York, make the same claim). [cite web |url=http://www.icecreamsundae.com/ithacasgift.html |title=Ithaca's Gift to the World |author=Michael Turback |year=2004 |accessdate=2007-06-26 "The author is an Ithaca resident."] The city's unofficial slogan is "Catch our friendly waves."

Rather than a mayor, the city is led by a city manager. The current city manager is Greg Buckley, who has held the position since August, 1995.

Geography

Two Rivers is located at coor dms|44|9|17|N|87|34|35|W|city (44.154928, -87.57642)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.7 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²) of it (6.75%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 12,639 people, 5,221 households, and 3,414 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,230.1 people per square mile (860.7/km²). There were 5,547 housing units at an average density of 978.7/sq mi (377.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.74% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,221 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,701, and the median income for a family was $48,241. Males had a median income of $35,378 versus $23,605 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,908. About 4.2% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

*J. Frank Aldrich - United States Representative from Illinois.
*Lydia Clarke - Widow of Charlton Heston, hails from Two Rivers. L.B. Clarke Middle School is named after her father. Clarke remains an honorary director of the Educational Horizons Foundation, which is a Two Rivers volunteer organization that supports the mission of the Two Rivers School District.
*Ken Anderson - Professional wrestler working for World Wrestling Entertainment
*Bryan Lee - Blues Guitarist
*Jim Schmitt - Current Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
*Thomas James Walsh - Former U.S. Senator from the state of Montana

Education

Two Rivers is served by Two Rivers High School, built in 2002 to replace the now-demolished Washington High School. Two Rivers High school sports newer facilities for the Raiders including swimming, football, track and field, baseball, soccer, and other sports. For those interested in media, the school houses a photography darkroom as well as a television broadcast room for hands-on experience. The high school's daily announcements are broadcast on television by students and are available for public viewing on the town's local channel. Ridgely Schott is the current principal at Two Rivers High School.

The middle school, L. B. Clarke, educates fifth grade through eighth grade as of 2006. L. B. Clarke middle school was named for Charleton Heston's father-in-law, who helped to fund the school; both Charleton and his wife Lydia have visited the school. There are only two remaining elementary schools, Koenig and Magee, since the closing of C. C. Case Elementary. Also serving the Two Rivers area are a few private/parochial schools including St. John's and St. Peter the Fisherman.

Culture and Points of Interest

*Lester Public Library provides print collections, programming, and the Internet to Two Rivers residents and visitors to the area. [http://www.tworivers.lib.wi.us/]
*The Bernard Schwartz House. which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is open to visitors as a museum.
*The Historic Washington House is free and open to the public. The old inn and saloon is now a functioning ice cream parlor and museum. The museum is run by volunteers and provides historical information about the area and different time periods. The top floor houses a ballroom with a mural-painted ceiling and a stage for live performances. The ballroom also functions as a used book store.
*Point Beach State Forest and Park is accessible all year. Trails are available for hiking, biking, skiing and enjoying the natural beauty. Camp grounds are also available. Visitors can access some of Lake Michigan's many beach fronts from the state park.
*Woodland Dunes Nature Center
*Rogers Street Fishing Village

Media

Newspapers

*"Herald Times Reporter"—Daily newspaper Owned by Gannett Newspapers.
*"Lakeshore Chronicle"—Printed on Sundays and Wednesdays only.
*"The LakerShopper"—Local business and consumer oriented paper.

Television and radio

Two Rivers is part of the Green Bay, Wisconsin television market, as well as the Sheboygan/Manitowoc Arbitron radio market. The city is home to WCUB-AM and WGBW-AM. Charter Communications provides cable service for the city.

:"See also: List of radio stations in Sheboygan/Manitowoc

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.two-rivers.wi.us City of Two Rivers, Wisconsin website]
* [http://www.manitowocchamber.com Manitowoc-Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce]