Grand Rapids, Wisconsin

Grand Rapids is a town in Wood County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,801 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Lake Wazeecha is located in the town. The unincorporated community of Kellner is located also partially in the town.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.0 square miles (54.4 km²), of which, 20.8 square miles (53.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.00%) is water.HistoryGrand Rapids takes its name from a series of rapids on the Wisconsin River.The west and north part of what is now Grand Rapids, within three miles of the Wisconsin River, was in the "Indian strip," sold by the Menominee to the United States government in the 1836 Treaty of the Cedars. As such, it was logged and surveyed early. In the spring of 1840 a crew working for the U.S. government surveyed the section corners of the west and north parts, walking through the woods and crossing the river, measuring with chain and compass. When done, they produced this first description of the area: There is hardly any good land in this Township. A succession of Rapids & rocky chutes called the Grand Rapids have two Extensive lumbering Establishments thereon(?) owned by Bloomer Chambalain(?) Adams Strong Hill & others, now in operation - the Hydraulic Power is capable of being increased. Several large Pine Groves are found in this Township.