Beloit, Wisconsin
City
Downtown Beloit
Flag
Nickname:  "Gateway To Wisconsin"
Location of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin
Beloit Show map of Wisconsin Beloit Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 42°30′30″N 89°01′54″W / 42.50833°N 89.03167°W / 42.50833; -89.03167
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Rock
Founded	1836
Incorporated	February 24, 1846 (village) March 31, 1856 (city)
Government
• City manager	Jerry Gabrielatos
Area [1]
• City	17.66 sq mi (45.73 km2)
• Land	17.33 sq mi (44.89 km2)
• Water	0.33 sq mi (0.84 km2)
Elevation	751 ft (228.9 m)
Population  (2020)[2]
• City	36,657
• Density	2,115.0/sq mi (816.6/km2)
• Metro	163,687
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	53511, 53512
Area code	608
FIPS code	55-06500
Website	beloitwi.gov

Beloit (/bəˈlɔɪt/ bə-LOYT)^[3] is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 36,657 people.^[4][5] Beloit is a principal city of the Janesville–Beloit metropolitan statistical area and is included in the Madison–Janesville–Beloit combined statistical area.

History

Twelve men in Colebrook, New Hampshire created the "New England Emigrating Company" in October 1836, and sent Horace White to find a suitable region of Wisconsin in which to settle. The level fields and the water power of Turtle Creek and "unlimited gravel" in the area around what is now Beloit fixed the site of the village and farms. White purchased the land. At the same time as the Colebrook settlers, six families from Bedford, New Hampshire, arrived and settled in the region. They said the Rock River Valley had a "New England look" that made them feel at home. The village was platted in 1838 and was planned with wide streets, building on the New England model.

Beloit was originally named New Albany (after Albany, Vermont) in 1837 by its founder, Caleb Blodgett. The name was changed to Beloit in 1838.^[6][7] The name was coined to be reminiscent of Detroit.^[6]

Beloit lays claim to such inventions as the speedometer,^[8] John Francis Appleby's twine binder,^[9] and Korn Kurls, which resemble Cheetos, was the original puffed cheese snack.^[10][11]

Historic buildings

Beloit's 1889 Water Tower Place began demolition in 1935, which was halted because of the cost. A historic pump station is nearby.

The Fairbanks Flats were built in 1917 to house the rush of African Americans moving to the area from the Southern United States.

Pearsons Hall of Science was designed by the architectural firm Burnham and Root for Beloit College as a science center.

The Lathrop-Munn Cobblestone House was originally built for politician John Hackett.

The Castle at 501 Prospect was built as First Presbyterian Church in 1902. It now operates as a Performing Arts Center and Music School.

Downtown Beloit and the riverfront

Downtown Beloit is the city's historic economic, cultural and social center. North of the confluence of the Rock River and Turtle Creek, the downtown is anchored by a core of historic buildings and the Ironworks office and industrial campus. Beloit's riverfront park system, mainly Riverside Park, extends north of downtown along the east bank toward the Town of Beloit.

Downtown Beloit is one of two inaugural members of the Wisconsin Main Street designation.^[12]

Railroad heritage

Beloit was served by the Milwaukee Road, and the Chicago & North Western Railroad (C&NW). In its 1980 bankruptcy, the Milwaukee Road disposed of the Southwestern Line. The Union Pacific, which took over the C&NW, operates in Beloit today over a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road, providing a rail connection to Fairbanks-Morse Engine manufacturing facility.^{[clarification needed]} The CPKC operates other trackage in Beloit.^[13] The city also had an electric interurban railroad.^[when?]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.66 square miles (45.74 km²), of which 17.33 square miles (44.88 km²) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²) is water.^[14] Location: 42°30′30″N 89°01′54″W / 42.50833°N 89.03167°W / 42.50833; -89.03167.

The city is adjacent to the Town of Beloit, Town of Turtle, and the Illinois municipality of South Beloit.

Most of Beloit's development is occurring on the east side, adjacent to Interstates 39/90 and Interstate 43, where the city annexed rural land for Beloit Gateway Industrial Park, as well as in the newly revitalized downtown along the Rock River.

Climate