Editing Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Manitowish Waters Wisconsin Town Hall and Community Center.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Town hall and community center

<!-- Maps -->
| pushpin_map              = USA Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| pushpin_label            = '''Manitowish Waters'''
| pushpin_label_position   = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Wisconsin 
| pushpin_mapsize          =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name  = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Vilas County, Wisconsin|Vilas]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Chairman
|leader_name              = John Hanson <ref name="mwtown.org">{{Cite web|url=http://mwtown.org/mw-town-government.html|title = Town Supervisors & Employees}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = Town Clerk
|leader_name1             = Dana Hilbert <ref name="mwtown.org"/>
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  =  Imperial
|area_footnotes           =

|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 94.4
|area_land_km2            = 78.6
|area_water_km2           = 15.7
|area_total_sq_mi         = 36.4
|area_land_sq_mi          = 30.4
|area_water_sq_mi         = 6.1

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[United States Census, 2000|2000]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 566
|population_density_km2   = 7.2
|population_density_sq_mi = 18.6

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|elevation_m              = 491
|elevation_ft             = 1611
|coordinates              = {{coord|46|6|59|N|89|51|1|W|region:US-WI|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = 
|postal_code              = 
|area_code                = [[Area codes 715 and 534|715 & 534]] 
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 55-48462<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1583635<ref name="GR3" />
|website                  = http://mwtown.org/
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Manitowish Waters''' is a town in [[Vilas County, Wisconsin|Vilas County]], [[Wisconsin]], United States. The population was 572 in the 2018 census.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=U.S. Census website |access-date=December 29, 2014 }}</ref> The unincorporated community [[Manitowish Waters (community), Wisconsin|Manitowish Waters]], is also located within the town.

== History ==
In 1934, at the [[Little Bohemia Lodge]] on Little Star Lake, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and [[Dillinger Gang]] were involved in a shootout, which resulted in the accidental shooting death of one local [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] worker and severely injuring two other workers by federal agents who mistook them for members of the gang. Agent W. Carter Baum was also shot and killed by [[Baby Face Nelson]] in a brief gunfight a short distance away, which resulted in another special agent and a local constable being wounded. All six members of the gang escaped the incident unharmed.

The lodge, then owned by Emil Wanatka, remains in existence as a restaurant today without lodging. Bullet holes in the building's siding and windows from the shootout are still visible. Personal items left behind by the hasty departure of the Dillinger Gang members have been preserved and are on display. In the summer of 2008, the Little Bohemia Lodge was used in the filming of a re-creation of these events in the 2009 [[Michael Mann (director)|Michael Mann]] film ''[[Public Enemies (2009 film)|Public Enemies]]'', a movie about Dillinger and the FBI starring [[Johnny Depp]] as [[John Dillinger]] and [[Christian Bale]] as [[Melvin Purvis]].

American businesspeople and political donors [[Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein]] are currently considered the "main benefactors" of Manitowish Waters, owning a hotel, a condominium complex, a lakefront pavilion, a restaurant, a spa, a coffee shop, and two gift shops in the city, as well as numerous private residences. This is controversial among permanent residents of the town, as even though the Uihleins have invested more than 6.5 million dollars in the town between 2007 and 2015, the residents complain that they are "left in the dark" about Uihlein projects and that the Uihleins exert unfair influence over long-standing local businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergquist |first=Lee |title=Manitowish Waters' main benefactors get mixed reviews |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/manitowish-waters-main-benefactors-gets-mixed-reviews-manitowish-waters-main-benefactors-gets-mixe-b-333336681.html |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=www.jsonline.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 36.4&nbsp;square miles (94.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which, 30.4&nbsp;square miles (78.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 6.1&nbsp;square miles (15.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (16.69%) is water.

===Airport===
Manitowish Waters is served by the [[Manitowish Waters Airport]] (D25). Located one mile south of the city, the airport handles approximately 6,200 operations per year, with roughly 96% general aviation and 4% air taxi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airnav.com/airports/D25|title = AirNav: Airport Information}}</ref>

===Climate===
Rest Lake is a weather station in Manitowish Waters near the [[Manitowish Waters Airport]].<ref name = "restlake">{{cite web|url = https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/NORMAL_MLY/stations/GHCND:USC00477092/detail |publisher = NOAA |title = Station Details - REST LAKE, WI US|access-date = January 28, 2024}}</ref> Rest Lake has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), bordering on a [[Humid_continental_climate#Definition|dry-winter humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dwb'').
{{Weather box
|location = Rest Lake, Wisconsin, 1991–2020 normals, 1913-2023 extremes: 1612ft (491m)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 57
|Feb record high F = 58
|Mar record high F = 80
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 94
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 71
|Dec record high F = 58
|year record high F = 

|Jan avg record high F = 39.1
|Feb avg record high F = 44.8
|Mar avg record high F = 58.2
|Apr avg record high F = 76.1
|May avg record high F = 82.3
|Jun avg record high F = 86.9
|Jul avg record high F = 88.4
|Aug avg record high F = 87.2
|Sep avg record high F = 82.6
|Oct avg record high F = 73.7
|Nov avg record high F = 55.7
|Dec avg record high F = 40.4
|year avg record high F = 90.6

|Jan high F = 20.0
|Feb high F = 25.2
|Mar high F = 36.9
|Apr high F = 50.4
|May high F = 64.7
|Jun high F = 73.7
|Jul high F = 77.5
|Aug high F = 75.6
|Sep high F = 67.1
|Oct high F = 53.1
|Nov high F = 37.1
|Dec high F = 24.8
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 10.2
|Feb mean F = 14.0
|Mar mean F = 25.2
|Apr mean F = 38.9
|May mean F = 52.8
|Jun mean F = 62.1
|Jul mean F = 65.9
|Aug mean F = 64.1
|Sep mean F = 56.1
|Oct mean F = 43.1
|Nov mean F = 29.3
|Dec mean F = 16.8
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 0.4
|Feb low F = 2.9
|Mar low F = 13.5
|Apr low F = 27.4
|May low F = 40.9
|Jun low F = 50.5
|Jul low F = 54.4
|Aug low F = 52.6
|Sep low F = 45.1
|Oct low F = 33.1
|Nov low F = 21.5
|Dec low F = 8.7
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -25.2
|Feb avg record low F = -23.6
|Mar avg record low F = -15.0
|Apr avg record low F = 9.1
|May avg record low F = 24.6
|Jun avg record low F = 34.2
|Jul avg record low F = 40.5
|Aug avg record low F = 37.9
|Sep avg record low F = 27.5
|Oct avg record low F = 18.5
|Nov avg record low F = 1.3
|Dec avg record low F = -18.7
|year avg record low F = -29.3

|Jan record low F = −50
|Feb record low F = −51
|Mar record low F = −39
|Apr record low F = -17
|May record low F = 16
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 30
|Aug record low F = 30
|Sep record low F = 16
|Oct record low F = -6
|Nov record low F = -21
|Dec record low F = −41
|year record low F =  

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.21
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.93
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.50
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.54
|May precipitation inch = 3.69
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.38
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.13
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.30
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.66
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.57
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.93
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.42
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 16.70
|Feb snow inch = 12.70
|Mar snow inch = 10.90
|Apr snow inch = 7.20
|May snow inch = 0.30
|Jun snow inch = 0.00
|Jul snow inch = 0.00
|Aug snow inch = 0.00
|Sep snow inch = 0.10
|Oct snow inch = 2.90
|Nov snow inch = 9.10
|Dec snow inch = 15.30
|year snow inch = 

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00477092&format=pdf
|title = Rest Lake, Wisconsin 1991-2020 Monthly Normals 
|access-date = January 28, 2024
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS2 (temp records & 1981-2010 monthly max/mins)<ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS
|access-date = January 28, 2024
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 646 people, 301 households, and 208 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 21.3 people per square mile (8.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 36.3 per square mile (14.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 99.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.46% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.46% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.01% of the population.

There were 301 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.1% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $49,375. Males had a median income of $36,518 versus $20,114 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $21,042. About 5.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Tourism==
The town is best known for its [[Manitowish Chain O Lakes|chain of lakes]]. During the summer, the population increases dramatically as tourists come from all around the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].

It is also known as an artists' enclave, with many artist studios and gift shops located in the town square and surrounding areas. Another tourist attraction is the water ski team, the Skiing Skeeters, who perform free shows two nights a week throughout the summer. 

==Transportation==
River's Edge [[BCycle]] station offers a [[bikeshare]] facility for the town with 10 [[Electric bicycles|e-bikes]] since 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wjfw.com/news/local/rivers-edge-bcycle-station-created-to-increase-bike-trail-use/article_7ba23d08-1cab-5446-9202-ee025ae588b9.html|title=River's Edge BCycle Station created to increase bike trail use|date=August 12, 2021|access-date=July 13, 2024|newspaper=wjfw12}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" perrow=7>
Image:Old-town-at-manitowish.jpg|Wood-and-canvas canoe being lifted over a [[beaver]] dam near&nbsp;Manitowish Waters
Image:Manitowish Waters, WI.JPG|Town&nbsp;center, Manitowish Waters
Image:Manitowish Waters gift shop.JPG|A typical gift shop in&nbsp;the area
Image:Skiing Skeeters.JPG|Members&nbsp;of&nbsp;the local ski team, the&nbsp;Skiing&nbsp;Skeeters, form&nbsp;a&nbsp;human pyramid
File:Manitowish Waters Airport.jpg|Manitowish&nbsp;Waters Airport
File:Manitowoc Waters Wisconsin Looking North County W.jpg|Looking north at the &nbsp;[[Manitowish Waters (community), Wisconsin|community of Manitowish Waters]] on County Road W
File:Bohemiaentrancefromhwy512.jpg|Little Bohemia Lodge as it looked in 1934
File:Eagle Visit For Lunch.jpg| Keep an eye out for one of the many local eagles. 
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.manitowishwaters.org/ Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.mwlakes.com/ Manitowish Waters Lakes Association]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080515170836/http://koller.wislib.org/ Manitowish Waters Public Library (Frank B. Koller Memorial Library)]

{{Vilas County, Wisconsin}}
{{coord|46|08|06|N|89|53|16|W|type:city_region:US-WI|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Vilas County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Towns in Wisconsin]]