Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-20
GRAND RAPIDS A
CENTRALIA.

GRAND RAPIDS.
The seat of Wood County as we'll as
being one of the chief cities Of the
county, is the Oldest city Oh the upper
Wisconsin River. 1t is situated in
Township %, North of Range East
and lies wholly on the east bank Of the
Wisconsin which is here interspersed
with many islands. The river in pass
ing the city has a descent of thirty feet
over an irregular and rocky bed, thus
constituting the rapids which gave the
name to the city and township.
CENTRALIA.
Is located on the west bank Of the
Wisconsin opposite Grand Rapids
and is in the same township. What is
true of Grand Rapids, is true of
IN one grand effort for the advance
ment of the twin cities interests. The
feeling of harmony existing between
the two cities augurs we'll for their
success. They hope to become an
important commercial centre as they
are located in the centre Of the hard
wood districts of Wisconsin, and the
river and railroad advantages for bring
ing the raw material here and shipping
the manufactured products all over the
country, are such as to commend them.
THE PLACE TO MANUFACTURE.
1t is feasible to talk Of manufacturing
here, for with the raw material, cheap
fuel uel-cheapened by the competition of
railroads and river, who never pool
their issues, the manufacturer having
the same favor shown him in the distri-
button of his product will find himself
in possession of market of his own.
Here is to be found re-clay of very
superior quality and in inexhaustable
quantities. This is one branch of
industry that can be honestly recon-
mended for speedy Development, as it
| will pay handsomely.
Paper and pulp mills can be establish
ed here without number, and pay;
more hub and spoke factories, Cor any
factory using principally wood,) furni-
ture factories, agricultural implements
certainly can be made here at profit
as also can boots and shoes, wearing
apparel for lumbermen, and owing to
| the fact that the wheat from Minnesota
and Dakota can be so easily shipped to
this point large Touring mills can be
successfully operated here.
The branches of manufM turing best
adapted to the wants of our cities are
more pulp mills and two or three paper
mills for making the finer grades of
paper from pulp, as the cheapness of
the raw material here makes it an
industry wherein is much profit. Slabs
can be bought here delivered at the
mill for 81 90 per cord, while the finest
of poplar wood can be laid down at the
mill for $3.50 per cord, and it is here
IN great plenty. We also want plow
factory. In fact, any legitimate branch
Of manufacturing will pay here. Any
man coming here to engage in any
branch Of manufacturing who has a
practical knowledge of his business will
succeed. All factories already estab-
lished here are doing we'll, and this
certainly ought to be sufficient argu-
ment in favor of this locality
OUR SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
Consists of one High public school in
each city and six churches, Congrega-
tional, Methodist, Catholic and Luther
an in Grand Rapids, Unity and Episco-
pal church societies in Centralia. The
schools are under the control of School
Boards elected by the people. Thirteen
teachers are employed nine months in
the year at good wages. Our churches
and schools are we'll attended and
nicely kept and will compare favorably
with those of even larger cities.
CLIMATE AND HEALTH.
Taking it the year through, there is
no more wholesome and delightful
climate in the West than what Grand
Rapids and Centralia enjoy. The
average winter temperature will not
exceed 20 degrees. The summers are
quite uniform in temperature. These
cities are justly regarded as one of the
healthiest localities in Wisconsin
There are no fatal diseases peculiar to
the climate and the disease-maps Of
the government place it outside the
region of low fevers and the like. The
climate is equivalent or superior to the
higher latitudes of Northern Minnesota
and Dakota for lung and throat
diseases.
MISCELLANEOUS.
There has never been what might be
termed ''boom" in these cities, vet
during the past five years there has
been steady substantial growth, We
expect that the census of 1890 will show
gain in population from 5000 in 1885
to that of $500 in $780, Real estate is
not high as compared with large city
property, but 1t is gradually increasing
Taxes are not high but range from SIC
TO S15 a year on residence property
worth from $1,000 to S12O0.
The business men of the twin cities
viii give substantial aid and encourage.
ment to any one who desires to locate
here and start some business enter.
prise. They will exempt them from
taxation for a number of years or give
them a bonus equivalent to said tax
They mean business and invite CORES
pondence. Parties desirous of looking
over the water power and ADVANTAGES