Racine, WI is located on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Root River approximately 30 miles (50km) south of Milwaukee and 60 miles (100km) north of Chicago, IL. racinewi

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.

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 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 summerand 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.

Racine, WI: The Belle City of the [Great] Lakes. Information for visitors and residents alike. Located between Milwaukee and Chicago on the beautiful shores of the great Lake Michigan, Racine has much to offer.

This Website is brought to you by Wisconsin Internet, Inc. 8332 Corporate Drive, Racine, WI 53406 • (888) 782-1454

This page designed by Alexander G. Voss
Including information about the City of Racine, Wisconsin - The Town of Caledonia, Wisconsin - The Town of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin - The Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin - The Village of North Bay, Wisconsin - The Village of Elmwood Park, Wisconsin - The Village of Sturtevant, Wisconsin
With additional information Covering areas of The Town of Yorkville, Wisconsin - The Town of Raymond, Wisconsin and the Village of Union Grove Wisconsin.
Information about the Root River, Hoods Creek, Pikes Creek, the Sylvan River and the Blue River. racinewi As well as the unincorporated localities of Franksville, WI - Husher, WI - Kilbournville, WI - Tabor, WI - Ives, WI - Kneeland, WI - Ives Grove, WI - Thompsonville, WI. racinewi Racine: La cittá del Belle dei laghi grandi. Racine: La belle cittá dei grandi laghi. Racine: De belle stad van de grote meren. Racine: La belle ville des grands lacs. Racine: Die belle Stadt der großen Seen Racine: A bela cidade dos grandes lagos. Racine: La belle ciudad de los grandes lagos. Ρασιν η ομορφη πολη των μεγαλων λιμνων.

© Jan 28, 2012.