Posts by Scott
The History of Sylvania Wilderness – From Private Ownership (late 1800s) to Protected Wilderness (1987)
New in 2023 — the fascinating history of the beautiful Sylvania Wilderness area! This new exhibit tells the story of the group of wealthy industrialists who purchased the property and largely spared it from the intense logging of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Learn about these “Sylvania Club” men, …
Read MoreDonaldson School Site
The Donaldson School served the State Line / Land O’ Lakes school district for about 30 years. It was built for the saw mill town that in 1905 came to be called Donaldson.
The school foundation, steps and sidewalk still exist. Interpretive signs at the site tell the story of Donaldson: the mill, …
Read MoreMacArthur Pine
The famous MacArthur Pine stood tall in Northern Wisconsin for about 300 years. From 1945 to 1971 it held the title of our nation’s largest white pine. A slice of this historic tree with visible tree rings is on display at the Land O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
Location:
6484 US Hwy 45
Open Monday through Friday 9am – …
Historical Classroom at Town Hall
Originally the Land O’ Lakes Elementary School, the beautiful brick building was built in 1931. The cornerstone is on the northeast corner of the building. Area youth attended this grade school for over 60 years. An upstairs classroom exhibit shows class photos, desks, books and more from early school years. …
Read MoreMurals At Post Office
These murals were discovered during the July, 2000 demolition of the old community hall. The hall dated to 1926, but the murals appear to date much later, probably to the 1940s.
Local artist, Lucien Kopf painted the murals. He arrived in Phelps, WI following WWI to recover from the effects of a wartime mustard gas attack. …
Read MoreTrophy Bears
Two trophy bears, an Alaskan Brown Bear and a Polar Bear, donated by renowned Land O’ Lakes physician and sportsman, Dr. Everett Eickhoff are on display in the lobby areas of the historic Gateway Lodge.
Location:
4103 County Rd B
715-547-3321
Open 24 Hours …
Chalet History & Winter at the Gateway
Along with Area Geology, an exhibit showcased the Museum building, the former Gateway Ski Chalet. The exhibit presented the history of the Gateway Ski Hill, how the chalet was saved after the ski hill closed down, the chalet’s incredible move to the Land O’ Lakes Town Park, and its renovation/conversion to become Land O’ …
Read MoreBarefoot Charlie
Our second exhibit featured Barefoot Charlie, a unique local character and bar/restaurant owner. The exhibit was thoroughly researched by Pat Juday, Paul McLeod, and Marilyn Annin (designer). The exhibit was launched in May 2002, and was featured during the 2003 season as well. …
Read MoreFinding Donaldson – the School, the Town & the Mill
This 3-year exhibit told about the lumber mill town of Donaldson which existed alongside State Line (Land O’ Lakes) in the early 1900s. The first year featured the impressive two-room School which was the area’s District School through the year 1930. Rare school records from inside the donated school safe were part of the display. …
Read MoreWorld War I – Northwoods Connectons
The WWI-Northwoods Connections exhibit was timed perfectly in 2018 with the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI (Nov. 11, 1918). Spearheaded by summer resident Roberta Marling Morris, whose family were early Northwoods pioneers, Roberta generously loaned her father’s large collection of memorabilia from his war time in France. Most notable was Robert Newcomb Marling’s tenor banjo that he carried with him throughout all of war-time France, …
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