Manawa Wisconsin,
probably a place most of you have never heard of. When I tell people where I’m from, most
people respond, ‘Oh, Manitowoc?” No, I
didn’t mispronounce, it is actually Manawa.
Manawa is the native word for “long bow”, which stems from the name of a
Native American killed near the river on which Manawa is founded. Located in Waupaca County in Wisconsin, this
little town traces its roots back to a sawmill located on the Little Wolf River
which runs through the center of town.
Some years after the sawmill was built, the river was bridged and became
a primary place to cross which is what sparked growth.
I have not always
lived here though. Originally from Colorado, I moved most of my life as both my
father, and then I, were both in the service.
I finally landed in Manawa in the summer of 2007 after graduating with
my Associate’s Degree and taking a full time position with one of the local
companies, Sturm Foods. Unfortunately,
the company underwent several acquisitions, and I found myself working
elsewhere not long after I purchased my house here. Today I commute about 45
minutes to work, but I love how peaceful this little town of Manawa is.
When I first moved
here, the first thing I noticed was the smell.
Having never lived in a rural community, I was not familiar with the
happenings of farm life and the surrounding areas. Although the town is home to
a very large manufacturing company, its residents are still primarily farm
workers and local business owners that support the farming community. But besides the differences between rural and
city living, there was one other thing I noticed that was different than what I
was used to….it was all white people.
Having spent most of
my life in the military in one form or another, I had come accustomed to being
among a very diverse population. I
recall a few years when I was very young in which I actually did not have any
friends that were white. All my early
childhood memories were with friends of another race or culture. As I explored Manawa, I found myself asking
why was there so very little diversity here?
For a rural community, I was surprised that much of it looks to be
wealthy or upper class. Although it is
possible that farming for a living can earn a very good living, the farms I
have seen in the area do not seem to tell that same story.
I will have to explore
further…
Having spent most of
my life in the military in one form or another, I had come accustomed to being
among a very diverse population. I
recall a few years when I was very young in which I actually did not have any
friends that were white. All my early
childhood memories were with friends of another race or culture. As I explored Manawa, I found myself asking
why was there so very little diversity here?
For a rural community, I was surprised that much of it looks to be
wealthy or upper class. Although it is
possible that farming for a living can earn a very good living, the farms I
have seen in the area do not seem to tell that same story.
