The City of Manawa is centrally located in Waupaca County. The School District of Manawa consists of approximately 117 square miles of Waupaca County. The School District of Manawa is centrally located in Waupaca County and is used as a meeting place for the county due to its central location. The District is comprised of the City of Manawa, and the Township of Little Wolf, portions of the Townships of Union, St. Lawrence, Bear Creek, Lebanon, Royalton, Mukwa, Helvetia and the Village of Ogdensburg.

Manawa is located in the center of Waupaca County, approximately 30 miles northwest of the Fox Cities and about 30 miles southeast of Stevens Point. From Manawa, you can travel to the Fox Cities, Stevens Point or Green Bay in about an hour or less.

The name of Manawa was taken from a brave killed by a chief. "In the days, not greatly beyond the recollection of the oldest inhabitant, a branch of the tribe of Winnebago Indians dwelt among the pines covering the land which in now the site of our fair village. In midst of the village of wigwams, stood one, more pretentious than the rest, the abode of Wecopah, chief of the tribe and a man of influence and power among all the surrounding nations. The white men who came to cut down the forests, heard the braves singing the dirges of the departed youth and the name which pines seemed to murmur to the breeze of the night is perpetuated in that of our fair city."

This village was called Elberton during the time that Elbert Scott was Postmaster, 1872. In December 1874, the name "Manawa" was officially adopted, thus 1974 is recognized as being Manawa's centennial year.

The School District of Manawa offers a comprehensive program for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Services are provided for students needing special education, Title I, Response to Intervention (RtI), English language, and Gifted & Talented to name but a few. The district operates two buildings:

• Manawa Elementary School (Pre-K to 5)

• Manawa Middle School (grades 6-8)

• Little Wolf High School (grades 9-12)

Enrollment averages about 700 students.

U.W. - Green Bay, St. Norbert College, Lawrence University, U.W. – Oshkosh, U.W. - Stevens Point, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, and the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay. All are within an hour drive from Manawa.

The Manawa area is a rural agricultural area with many family farms operating around the community. Manawa also has a variety of local business and manufacturers. Four major businesses in the City of Manawa include Sturm Foods, Inc.; Hawk Trailers, Inc.; Kolbe & Kolbe Windows - Vinyl Division; and Kamart Industries, Inc. For more information, check out the Manawa Chamber of Commerce website.

The recreational opportunities available in the Manawa area are numerous. The Wolf River flows through the City of Manawa offering fishing and canoeing. Fishing is also available on the 194-acre Manawa Millpond and at the 200-acre Bear Lake located 3-miles out of town on Highway 22/110. Bear Lake offers swimming, boating, canoeing, waterskiing and camping opportunities at Bear Lake Campground and Resort. There are numerous parks in the area with athletic fields, picnic areas, boat landings, and playground facilities. Presently, a Veteran’s Memorial Park is under construction. Lindsay Park and the Triangle offer numerous seasonal activities.

The July 4th weekend in an exciting time around Manawa when the Mid-Western Rodeo comes to town. Rodeo performances, live music, and a Saturday parade are highlights of the weekend. The Mid-Western Rodeo is organized, in part, by the Manawa Lions Club.

Manawa is a great place for those who love to golf. The local golf course is Cedar Springs Golf Course located east of Manawa off County Road O. This 9-hole golf course offers a variety of leagues during the summer and a great Friday Fish Fry all year round. Other golf courses in the area include: Glen Carin Golf Course (northwest of town off Highway 161) and Hidden Waters Golf Course (southwest of town off of Highway 54). There are also golf courses in each of the neighboring communities.

In winter, many residents utilize the 165 miles of scenic snowmobile trails throughout Waupaca County. The trails can be accessed easily within Manawa at the Rodeo grounds. These trails are maintained by the 21 snowmobile clubs in the county.

• Waupaca County

• City of Manawa

• Town of Union

• Town of Helvetia

• Town of Bear Creek

• Town of Lebanon

• Town of Little Wolf

• Town of Mukwa

• Town of Royalton

• Town of St. Lawrence

• Village of Ogdensburg

• Sturm Memorial Library

• Manawa Chamber of Commerce

• City Of Manawa 2021 Water Report