The first permanent settlement here was established in 1834 as Port Gilbert. Later Racine was incorporated as a city on the 8th of August in 1848.
Improvement of the harbor in 1844 and the coming of the railroad in 1855 brought industrial growth to the city. Racine is a port of entry, and its manufactures include farm machinery, processed foods, automobile parts, machine tools, floor wax, and electrical equipment.The city has been a major industral center for much of its history and the Gateway Technical Institute is also located in Racine.
Fun Facts
The first three stories of the Dr. Shoop Building 215 State Street were built in 1893, with plans to add more stories as needed. In 1899, three more floors were added.
Racine has many architectural interests. Three buildings in Racine were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The reliefs on the county courthouse were designed by Carl Milles. Of note also are the cream city brick houses throughout the city.
The Gothic-style buildings of the DeKoven Center originally housed Racine College, an Episcopal preparatory school for boys founded in 1852. Today, the campus continues to host a variety of activities, including: retreats, conferences, recreation events, weddings, picnics, business seminars and luncheons.
The Racine Zoological Gardens is one of only 13 free admission accredited zoos left in the entire country. Located on the north side of downtown covering 32 acres, the Zoo is home to over 250 animals representing 76 species including lions, wolves, rhinos, orangutans, kangaroos and more.
The main building at the zoo was built between 1936 and 1939 and is still the focal point of the Zoo. Here you can see the big cats up close and watch the orangutans swinging from rope trapezes. After a major renovation effort in 1994, the animals' enclosures were enhanced by building display areas resembling natural habitat surroundings.
The Wind Point Lighthouse has become a familiar icon of the Racine area, thanks to the many artists and photographers who have captured its beauty. Built in 1880 -- at a total cost of $100,000 -- the 112-foot lighthouse helped make Racine a safe harbor. Before the lighthouse's beacon began guiding Lake Michigan boaters, a lone tree served as a landmark for sailors off the Point. Today, the lighthouse buildings serve as municipal offices for the Village of Wind Point. Though the Lighthouse interior is not open to the public, visitors can stroll the grounds and enjoy the view.
The Lake Michigan shoreline along Racine has much to offer with scenic vistas from Cliffside Park, North Beach offering cool relief in the summer and Festival Hall overlooking the Harbor. Many festivals and events are held on the shoreline each year. Lake Michigan truely is a wonder and a focal point of life in Racine.
Winding through the city and emptying into Lake Michigan at the harbor is the Root River. Along the Root River are a series of parks and trails accessible to the public. Rapids drive was named for the area of the river where the dam now stands and even today in times of high water, kayakers can find class III rapids about a quarter mile down river from the dam near Quarry Lake Park. Great fishing can be found near Horlick Dam and Lincoln and Island parks. The Root River is a great draw for hikers, fishermen and kayakers.
Source:
http://racine.wi.net/
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