Mercer (CDP), Wisconsin

Mercer is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Mercer, Iron County, Wisconsin, United States. Mercer is located on US Highway 51 (US 51) 20.5 miles (33.0 km) south-southeast of Hurley. Mercer has a post office with ZIP code 54547.[2] As of the 2010 census, its population is 516.[3]

Mercer, Wisconsin
Census-designated place
Downtown Mercer
Downtown Mercer
Location in Iron County and the state of Wisconsin.
Location in Iron County and the state of Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 46°09′0″N 90°03′46″W
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CountyIron
TownMercer
Area
 • Total5.479 sq mi (14.19 km2)
 • Land4.452 sq mi (11.53 km2)
 • Water1.027 sq mi (2.66 km2)
Elevation
1,601 ft (488 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total516
 • Density94/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
54547
Area code(s)715 & 534
GNIS feature ID1569357[1]

Mercer identifies itself as the "Loon Capital of the World" in order to promote tourism. This is based on a wildlife study that found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world. In front of the Mercer Chamber of Commerce's information center, there is a 16-foot (4.9 m), 2,000-pound (910 kg) statue named "Claire de Loon." Mercer also hosts an annual "Loon Day" festival, which features a large arts and crafts fair, live music and a loon calling contest.[4]

History

A post office called Mercer has been in operation since 1895.[5] The community was probably named for Hugh Mercer, a general in the American Revolutionary War.[6]

Tourism

Mercer's main industry is seasonal tourism, which is based on the large amount of undeveloped land and secluded waterways. Summer activities include boating, fishing, biking, hiking, and swimming. Summer tourism is often based on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage and other bodies of water, such as Tank Lake (Grand Portage Lake), former home to weekly water ski shows and site of a public beach. Fishing and other water sports include water skiing and jet skiing. Autumn and winter recreation includes snowmobiling, skiing, and hunting.

Mercer is home to the Mercer Area Historical Society housed in the former train station; it contains a small museum of local history. Other buildings include a jail, schoolhouse, barbershop, and a reconstructed caboose.

Images
  • Mercer's central district. The tourist store Wampum Shop is on the left, with the Historical Society in the background
    Mercer's central district. The tourist store Wampum Shop is on the left, with the Historical Society in the background
  • The Historical Society, housed in the former train depot
    The Historical Society, housed in the former train depot
  • Haines Fire Hall
    Haines Fire Hall
  • Community center / library
    Community center / library
  • Post office
    Post office
  • Sign on US 51
    Sign on US 51
  • Welcome sign
    Welcome sign

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercer, Wisconsin.
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mercer (CDP), Wisconsin
  2. ZIP Code Lookup
  3. "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  4. "Former UW-Extension". July 8, 2019.
  5. "Iron County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  6. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 101.
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