Barksdale, Wisconsin

Barksdale is a town in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 723 at the 2010 census.[3] The unincorporated community of Barksdale is located in the town. The town was named by William G. Ramsay, the chief engineer for the DuPont Chemical Company, for Hamilton M. Barksdale, vice president of DuPont.[4]

Barksdale, Wisconsin
Town
Town hall
Town hall
Location of Barksdale, Wisconsin
Location of Barksdale, Wisconsin
Coordinates: 46°35′41″N 91°1′35″W
Country United States
State Wisconsin
CountyBayfield
Area
 • Total66.3 sq mi (171.7 km2)
 • Land55.2 sq mi (142.9 km2)
 • Water11.1 sq mi (28.8 km2)
Elevation
[1]
1,145 ft (349 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total723
 • Density13/sq mi (5.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
54891
Area codes715 and 534
FIPS code55-04725[2]
GNIS feature ID1582751[1]
Websitetownofbarksdale.org

The town was once the home of an explosives factory owned by the DuPont company. Press reports mention a number of fatal accidents. Four died in a dynamite explosion in October 1907.[5] Two men were killed in an explosion on 24 August 1928.[6] A larger explosion at the facility killed eight in October 1952.[7]

Transportation

Wisconsin Highway 13 serves as a main route in the town, running along its eastern edge.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 66.3 square miles (171.7 km2), of which 55.2 square miles (142.9 km2) is land and 11.1 square miles (28.8 km2), or 16.78%, is water. The eastern end of the town extends into Chequamegon Bay, an arm of Lake Superior.

Barksdale is located 6 miles (10 km) northwest of the city of Ashland.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 801 people, 303 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density was 14.5 people per square mile (5.6/km2). There were 353 housing units at an average density of 6.4 per square mile (2.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.63% White, 0.12% African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.37% Asian, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population. 24.9% were of German, 14.1% Norwegian, 10.8% American, 6.7% Polish, 6.0% Swedish, 5.7% English and 5.6% Croatian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 303 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.3% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,714, and the median income for a family was $48,875. Males had a median income of $38,194 versus $24,722 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,680. None of the families and 2.2% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.8% of those over 64.

References
  1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Barksdale town, Bayfield County, Wisconsin". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  4. Callary, Edward (2016). Place Names of Wisconsin. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-299-30964-0.
  5. "Barksdale, WI Explosion, Oct 1907". The Eau Claire Leader. October 25, 1907. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  6. "Barksdale, WI Powder Shed Explosion, Aug 1928". Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh WI). August 25, 1928. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  7. "Barksdale, WI Explosives Plant Blast, Oct 1952". The Republic (Columbus Indiana). United Press. October 15, 1952. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
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