Neillsville

History

The Ojibwe were the earliest known residents of the Neillsville area. The first settlers of European descent in the area were James O'Neill and his party, who arrived around 1845, looking for a location to build a sawmill along the Black River. The city was named in honor of O'Neill, as was O'Neill Creek, which runs through the center of the city and drains into the Black River. In 1854, O’Neill's Mill, as Neillsville was originally called, was selected as the county seat of Clark County. Neillsville was platted on April 14, 1855, and incorporated in April 1882. A Winnebago Indian boarding school was operated by the Evangelical and Reformed Church on the west side of Neillsville from 1921 to 1957. Neillsville is where noted architect William L. Steele died. Poor health had forced Steele to retire from architecture in late 1946, leaving his eldest son William L. Steele Jr. and partner Josiah D. Sandham in charge of the practice. Steele had come to Neillsville to live with one of his daughters, Sallie (Mrs. Thomas S. Noble Jr.), and died at her house on March 4, 1949.

Geography

Neillsville is located at (44.560996, -90.595746). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The city lies on US Highway 10 and State Trunk Highway 73.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Neillsville Elementary
  Elementary · Neillsville · 394 students · 12.3:1 ratio
• Neillsville High
  High · Neillsville · 268 students · 14.9:1 ratio
• Neillsville Middle
  Middle · Neillsville · 182 students · 12.1:1 ratio
• Granton Elementary
  Elementary · Granton · 119 students · 9.9:1 ratio
• Granton High
  High · Granton · 107 students · 8.2:1 ratio