Chetek

History

The original inhabitants of the area were the Ojibwe Indians, who referred to the area as zhedeg, meaning "pelicans". This was variously transliterated as "Sheetak", "Shetak", "Shetuk", and "Chetack", until the first post office was opened in 1872, when the spelling was standardized as "Chetek". In 1872, the Omaha Railroad began service to Chetek, the Knapp-Stout logging camp was established, and the first log schoolhouse was built. Other important dates: * 1881 – Medical care became available. * 1882 – The Chetek Alert began publication, a newspaper still serving the area. * 1891 – Chetek became a city. * 1903 – Telephone service was introduced. * 1904 – The fire department began. * 1960 – Roselawn Elementary opened. * 2010 – School District of Chetek consolidated with Weyerhaeuser School District. * 2017 – An EF3 tornado swept through the town, killing one and injuring 25, as well as damaging and destroying structures.

Geography

Chetek is located at (45.318656, -91.65447). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land and is water. Chetek is along U.S. Highway 53, as well as County Roads I and SS.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Roselawn Elementary
  Elementary · Chetek · 477 students · 14.9:1 ratio
• Cameron Elementary
  Elementary · Cameron · 422 students · 14.1:1 ratio
• Cameron Middle
  Middle · Cameron · 330 students · 15:1 ratio
• Cameron High
  High · Cameron · 276 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High
  High · Chetek · 243 students · 10.6:1 ratio
• Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Middle
  Middle · Chetek · 207 students · 12.9:1 ratio
• New Auburn Elementary
  Elementary · New Auburn · 130 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• Cameron Academy of Virtual Education
  Other · Cameron · 115 students · 23:1 ratio