MANITOWOC

city, seat (1851) of Manitowoc county, eastern Wisconsin, U.S., on the western shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. It adjoins the city of Two Rivers (northeast) and is located 77 miles (124 km) north of Milwaukee. In 1795 a trading post was established on the site by the North West Company. A permanent settlement was made in 1837, which developed as an industrial and shipping centre. The city is now a St. Lawrence Seaway port of entry with auto-ferry services across Lake Michigan to Ludington, Mich. Industries include shipbuilding and the manufacture of aluminumware. Vegetable canning and the processing of malt products are also important. A centre of the University of Wisconsin (1933) and Silver Lake College (Roman Catholic; 1885) are located there. The Rahr-West Museum focuses on Indian and pioneer history, and the Maritime Museum displays ship models and ship equipment. Manitowoc is from the Algonquian language and probably means abode of the Great Spirit. Pop. (1990) 32,521; (1994 est.) 33,076.