Racine

Racine, capital of Racine county, Wisconsin, is situated on Lake Michigan, and on both sides of Root River, which is crossed by five swing bridges, and whose mouth here forms an excellent harbour. By rail the city is 62 miles N. of Chicago and 23 S. of Milwaukee; and in summer there are daily steamers to Chicago and the north. Racine contains a handsome post-office and city hall, a hospital, the Taylor Orphan Asylum, and the University of the North-west (Episcopalian, founded in 1852, and formerly called Racine College). A large trade is carried on in lumber, and, besides flax, flour, and woollen mills, boiler-works, and linseed-oil works, there are manufactories of ploughs, punps, wagons, fauning-mills, hardware, wire-work, cordage, furniture, refrigerators, boots and shoes, rubber clothing, &c. Pop. (1880) 16,031; (1890) 21,014.