The History of Sylvania Wilderness – From Private Ownership (late 1800s) to Protected Wilderness (1987)

This exhibit presented the fascinating history of the beautiful Sylvania Wilderness area! It told the story of the group of wealthy industrialists, the “Sylvania Club” men, who purchased the property and largely spared it from the intense logging of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Sylvania Wilderness touches the Land O’ Lakes border with Upper Michigan, comprising over 18,000 acres of old-growth forest and 34 pristine lakes. Many of the magnificent trees are up to 400 years old!

Sylvania contains one of only two remnants of untouched northern hardwood forests remaining in the Great Lakes region. The other remnant is located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This special area was designated in 1987 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by the U. S. Forest Service.