Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Mineral Point is a small city in Iowa County, Wisconsin, about 25 miles southwest of Madison. It sits in the Driftless Area and had a population of 2,581 at the 2020 census. The city is part of the Madison metropolitan area and lies within the Town of Mineral Point.

History
- The town was settled in 1827 as a mining center for lead and zinc. Henry Dodge was among the early settlers.
- In 1829 Iowa County was created, and Mineral Point became the county seat.
- Fort Jackson was built during the Black Hawk War (1832) to protect the town. In 1834 a federal land office opened there to distribute public land.
- When Wisconsin Territory was formed in 1836, Mineral Point hosted the inauguration of the territorial governor and played a role in creating the Great Seal of Wisconsin Territory.
- Through the 1840s, Mineral Point remained a leading lead mining town. Many Cornish miners settled here, and some of their old homes are preserved at the Pendarvis Historic Site.
- Mining declined after 1848 when the California Gold Rush drew miners away. Zinc production became important again in the late 19th century, with the Mineral Point Zinc Company opening in 1882 and operating a large zinc-oxide works by 1891.
- A county-seat dispute with Dodgeville led to a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Mineral Point’s favor in 1859, but the county seat moved to Dodgeville in 1861.
- In the 1930s, Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum restored historic stone buildings and created the Pendarvis Historic Site, helping to preserve Mineral Point’s mining heritage. The area became a popular tourist destination.

Geography
- The city covers about 3.08 square miles, all land.
- Mineral Point is located in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, a region not flattened by glaciers.

Arts and culture
- Much of Mineral Point is a National Register of Historic Places district, featuring stone cottages and old mining-era buildings.
- Landmarks include City Hall and Opera House (built in 1914) and the Pendarvis Historic Site, which preserves Cornish-era homes.
- Shake Rag Alley, seven historic structures near Mineral Point Hill, is an outdoor theatre and community arts center. Brewery Pottery is a gallery and studio in one of the area’s oldest breweries.
- Fort Jackson, Walker House, and other historic sites are important local attractions.
- The region is known for Cornish cuisine, including pasties and figgy hobbin.
- The Cheese Country Trail ends in Mineral Point.

Demographics
- 2020 census: 2,581 people, about 839 per square mile; 1,322 housing units.
- Racial makeup: predominantly White, with small percentages of Asian, Black, and other races. About 1.8% are Hispanic or Latino.
- 2010 census data show a mix of households, including many families and individuals, with a median age around the early 40s.

Sister city
- Redruth, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.

Transportation
- Iowa County Airport (KMRJ) serves Mineral Point and surrounding areas.

Notable people
- Mineral Point has been home to several notable figures, including politicians, lawyers, and athletes who contributed to Wisconsin and beyond.