Why Beaver Dam?
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin is my hometown. Tucked away in the south-central part of Wisconsin, it has a magnetic draw that I can’t quite find the words to express. I have left Beaver Dam many times only to find myself longing to return. This community is an acquired taste. It appeals to some of us and others, it is a stopping place on the way to somewhere else.
Beaver Dam has a moody side. It has an effect on people that creates a sense of mediocrity. Back in the 1950s, the City drew a group of folks of the Jewish faith. They enjoyed finding a safe place to gather and raise their families. Sadly, after a time, one by one, the families chose to move on. They relocated to places offering more promise.
The population in Beaver Dam has not changed dramatically in the past several decades. It seems that we get an influx of new people, who appreciate the offerings of our city, and at the same time and almost in the same numbers, people leave for greener pastures or warmer climates. The population has stayed in the 14,000 to 16,000 range for as long as I can remember.
Beaver Dam is a typical mid-western community. The people are friendly and accepting to a point. It seems that the newer people are more easily accepted than those who have lived in Beaver Dam all of their lives.
The City has a feeling of stability and safety. It sports a fourteen-mile lake along the west side, which is used by people who enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, water sports, and magnificent sunsets. The lake is one of the largest in Wisconsin. It was created by beaver dams that backed up the water of the Beaver Dam River. I have been drawn to the lake for a lifetime.
When I was younger, I spent time water skiing, sailing, and boating on Beaver Dam Lake. In the winter, we spent time ice skating and warming up with hot chocolate at Tahoe Park.
Beaver Dam still has a reasonable downtown in the center of the city. It was once the focal point of the community until folks decided to take the best stores and some of the best amenities and relocate them to the outside of town. A once walkable city now requires a car just to get to the Mall, the Y, Walmart, and many of the city parks. This sprawl was not unique to Beaver Dam. In my opinion, it took away from the benefits of having a centrally convenient and historic downtown area.
I admit that I find Beaver Dam a tough place to figure out but, it is home. It offers me a sense of peace and a sense of belonging. The cost of living is reasonable if you compare it to other places in the country. Homeownership is still a possibility for us and our children. Each time I see another disaster described in other places like hurricanes, mudslides, forest fires, and floods, I thank the Lord for the safety I find in Beaver Dam.
The greatest asset that Beaver Dam offers me is that my family is here. I belong here and have a wonderful support system of family and friends. My son lives about an hour from here so he can continue to be present in our lives.
I have often said that we are far enough and close enough to explore our interests. Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay, The Fox Cities, and our special Door County are all a reasonable drive away. We can experience theater, the arts, recreation, shopping, and the offerings of the surrounding cities.
I have returned to Beaver Dam for the final time. I plan to spend my remaining days enjoying this city that I have loved for a lifetime.
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