Black Creek, Wisconsin

An aerial photo of Black Creek looking south down WIS 47

Black Creek is located at 44°28′28″N 88°27′0″W (44.474517, −88.450125).[17] in northeastern Wisconsin at the intersection of WIS-47 and WIS-54, about 20 miles (40 km) west of Green Bay and 15 miles (24 km) north of the Fox Cities. It is in the Central Plains and Eastern Ridges and Lowlands regions of Wisconsin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.04 square miles (2.69 km²), of which, 1.03 square miles (2.67 km²) of it is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.[18]

Black Creek has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb).[19] Like other cities with this type of climate, there are four distinct seasons, often with severe or extreme variation between them in terms of temperature and precipitation. The village experiences warm, humid, frequently hot summers and long, cold and snowy winters. The variance in temperature and precipitation between months is severe and often extreme.

Black Creek along the village's northern edge

Monthly mean temperatures range from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) in January to 70 °F (21.1 °C) in July.[20] In July, the warmest month, the average high temperature is 81 °F (27.2 °C).[20] There are 8 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs, 163 days where the high remains at or below freezing annually. From December to February, even during thaws, the temperature rarely reaches 50 °F (10 °C). Extremes have ranged from −31 °F (−35 °C) to 99 °F (37 °C).

The wettest month in Black Creek is June when nearly 4 inches (101.6 mm) of precipitation falls, mostly in the form of rainfall from thunderstorms. The driest month in Black Creek is January when the majority of precipitation falls as low moisture-content snow due to cold, dry air. On average, 1 inch (25.4 mm) of precipitation falls in January.

July 2010 flooding (Main Street)

There have been five tornadoes in the Black Creek area, ranging in intensity from F0 to F3. An F3 tornado touched down four miles from the WIS 54/WIS 47 intersection on June 26, 1969 and traveled northeast past Seymour, causing one injury. On December 1, 1970 an F3 tornado touched down in Hortonville, traveled northeast and stopped 2.5 miles from the center of Black Creek. On May 30, 1980, an F1 tornado touched down 1.5 miles from the center of the village and traveled eastward across the village. A F2 tornado touched down in Stephensville on May 6, 1982, 10 miles from the center of Black Creek, and traveled northeast, stopping just outside the village limits. The most recent tornado, rated F0, touched down briefly just north of Black Creek on June 13, 2005.[21]

In the summer of 2010, Black Creek experienced two major flooding events. The first occurred on the morning of July 19 when 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell in 20 minutes[22][23] and the second during the evening of August 20 when the community received another 6 inches (150 mm). Other flooding events in the past only affected the Canadian National Railway underpass.[24][25]

As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 1,316 people, 513 households, and 354 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,277.7 inhabitants per square mile (493.3/km²). There were 540 housing units at an average density of 524.3 per square mile (202.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.0% White, 1.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 513 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the village was 32.2 years. 29.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,192 people, 485 households, and 335 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,145.5 people per square mile (442.5/km²). There were 513 housing units at an average density of 493.0 per square mile (190.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.73% White, 1.01% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 485 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,946, and the median income for a family was $49,896. Males had a median income of $32,128 versus $25,286 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,226. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

In the summer of 2011, the "Open for Business" Campaign was begun by the village and area business association in an effort to attract new businesses. The goal is to revitalize the community and the downtown area. The campaign is encouraging structural face-lifts and the growth of new specialty shops to help attract tourists traveling through to the Northwoods.[30][31]

Towards the end of 2013, the Black Creek Business Association partnered with a UW–Madison student to conduct a community needs assessment.[32] A survey of residents showed that what most wanted was a sense of community, with an atmosphere of a small town and an emphasis on "mom & pop shops." Residents expressed an interest in an increase in food choices, the addition of flower planters and trees, making village streets more biker friendly, more parking areas, and slowing traffic on Main Street.

Additionally, a desire from residents to restore and preserve historic buildings is present throughout the study.[33] It was suggested that the community utilize an empty lot adjacent to the state trail for a new community center that would host indoor and outdoor events. In addition to this, a new Veterans park, extended trail systems, and the addition of decorative lighting would be added to the downtown area. Together, with a UW-Extension consultant, the board devised an eight-step plan for recruiting new businesses.[34][35]

Duhm-Masch American Legion Memorial

• Semiannual Village-Wide Rummage Sale[36]
• Annual Family Daze Festival - formerly "Homecoming"[37]
  • Antique vehicle show, parade, craft fair, & Softball Grudge Match
• Annual Altrusa Polkafest[38]
• Annual 3K Bobcat Glow Run[39]
• Annual 5K Run for the Timbers[40]
• Annual Community Christmas Festival[41]

Black Creek also supports a Citizen of the Year Award and banquet in recognition of residents actively involved within the community.[42]

In May 2013, Black Creek Advancement Association and Duhm-Masch American Legion Post 332 announced they would create a veterans memorial in Black Creek.[43] The memorial was officially dedicated August 2017.[44]

George Peters residence

The George Peters House, located at 305 North Maple Street in Black Creek, 44°28′37″N 88°26′59″W, is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.

It is in an area of Black Creek where buildings range from 100 to 180 years old.

The historic Hotel Arlington is located just down the street from this residence, located across the street is the Black Creek Founders Memorial next to the Newton Blackmour State Trail.

Also located in this area is the historic Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (named Evangelische Lutheran Immanuel's Kirche) and the downtown business district.

Mack State Wildlife Area observation deck

The community is also within the eastern portion of the Tri-Rivers Nature Area of Outagamie County, a region with a high concentration of public land and nature preserves.[46] Two environmental nature preserves in the vicinity of Black Creek offer hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.[47][48]

• Fallen Timbers Environmental Education Center, a 456-acre (1,845,366 m²) nature lab, preserves woodlands, meadows, ponds, and prairies. There are also 8.5 miles (13.68 km) of hiking and cross-country skiing trails[49]
• Mack State Wildlife Area, 1,350-acres (5,463,256 m²), preserves woodlands, marshlands, meadows, and swampland. It also offers birding opportunities for migrating Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, and Tundra Swans.[50]

Newton Blackmour State Trailhead

The Newton Blackmour State Trail, part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, runs through the community along the former Green Bay & Western railbed. The trail extends 24 miles (38.62 km) from Seymour to New London. It is used for snowmobiles, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in winter and hiking, biking and horseback riding during summer. The name, "Newton Blackmour," is derived from the four incorporated communities along the trail.[51]

Black Creek Youth Sports Organization serves as the village's youth baseball league. The organization hosts tee ball (ages 5–6); machine pitch (ages 7–8); Little League (ages 9–12); and softball (ages 9–12). Teams are sponsored by local businesses. Softball and Little League teams play against other area communities, while tee ball and machine pitch teams play against other Black Creek teams.[52]

Snowmobiling is a major winter activity in the Black Creek area when conditions permit. The village is within county snowmobile trail zones one, two, and seven and is crisscrossed by numerous trail routes.[53]

The community is also served by the Black Creek Sportsman's Club which hosts trap shooting events during the week.[54]

In July 2019, charges were filed against the former Black Creek Rescue Service treasurer, Kathleen Pasch. The charges detail 11 counts of forgery and one count of theft in excess of 100,000 dollars against the organization.[59]

Pasch allegedly forged numerous checks in the name of the village police chief, Lowell James. According to the criminal complaint, she also made numerous ATM withdrawals under the organization in excess of 130,000 dollars to fund a gambling habit from 2015 to 2018.[60][61]

Black Creek has an average of 10,100 vehicles passing through daily, and 3.7 million per year. Approximately 8,200 vehicles pass through Black Creek's downtown area on average, and about 6,100 vehicles drive through the Wisconsin Highway 47 / Wisconsin Highway 54 intersection throughout the day. Burdick Street has about 740 vehicles traveling on it daily.[65]

CN Railway underpass along Wisconsin Highway 54.

	Wisconsin Highway 47, also marked as Main Street, northbound, intersects Wisconsin Highway 29 in Shawano. Southbound, Highway 47 connects to Interstate 41 in Appleton.
	Wisconsin Highway 54, also marked State Street, Westward routes to Shiocton and Waupaca. Eastward Highway 54 routes to Seymour and intersects Interstate 41 and Interstate 43 in Green Bay.
	County Trunk Highway B terminates in the west on the village's south side at Wisconsin Highway 47. Its eastern terminus is County Trunk Highway PP.
	The Canadian National Railway, going northbound routes to and terminates in Shawano. Going southbound it routes to Appleton and the Chicago area.

Major airports near Black Creek include Austin Straubel International Airport in the village of Ashwaubenon and Appleton International Airport, in the town of Greenville. The privately owned Shiocton Airport is also located nearby.[29]

Black Creek water tower

Water services are provided by the village. Electricity and natural gas lines for the community are maintained by WE Energies. Biweekly recycling pickup is performed by Outagamie County Solid Waste Department while the village provides weekly garbage collection.[29]

ThedaCare Physicians serves Black Creek as the local clinic. Other health resources in the village include a chiropractor, a dentist, and an optometrist. Nearby hospitals include ThedaCare Medical Center-New London, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.[29]