Related Records

1. Article about the 1st annual Skiing Skeeter Beier Barefoot Tournament 1963 - Written by Michael Dunn III and published in the Dec/Jan 1964 issue of Water Skier magazine. The tournament is "closed", ie, open only to club members, and was named after major club benefactor and summer resident Leroy W. Beier. Included in the record is a link to a 2021 NBC Channel 12 interview with Kay Krans about the history of Wisconsin and Skiing Skeeter barefooting.

   1963

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Brief history of the Manitowish Waters Post Office as recounted by Postmaster John Michaelis 1939-1997 - John mentions past MW Postmasters and Officers In Charge

   ca 2015

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Brochure from "Meet the Spirits" cemetery walk event. 8/28/024 - A living history event sponsored by the Manitowish Waters Historical Society at Pine Lawn Cemetery. Biographies of seven local pioneers were researched and portrayed by family or community members. Eighty five people attended the event. The brochure has a brief history of the Town and Pine Lawn Cemetery in addition to a biographical summary of each pioneer.

   8/28/2024

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. Constructing Robert Loveless' Virgin Forest Pavilion on Alder Lake ca 1923-1924 - Built by Palmer Hanson, this dance hall was 6030 sq. ft. and could hold up to 500 people. The lumber used in its construction was all milled at the Loveless sawmill.

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. Dolly Tirpe Remembers Manitowish Waters- a 1999 two-part Lakeland Times newspaper feature story by Joyce Laabs. 1871-1998 - Dolly recounts the story of her father Robert Loveless, an early settler and entrepreneur in the area. She shares stories and information about her husband and children as well. Included in the record is a page from her journal of recollections detailing much the same information as in the newspaper article.

   1999

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. Floating Island Poses Problems at Manitowish; 40 Boats Needed to Remove It 8/2/1964 - The island on Rest Lake has floated loose as a result of heavy rains and high winds eight times since 1940. Residents hope to relocate and anchor it on the northeast corner of the lake.

   August 1964

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. Gov. Walter J. Kohler, Jr campaigning in Manitowish Waters. ca 1950 - This picture in taken in front of Rudy's RestHaven in downtown Manitowish Waters. In the picture are Gov. Kohler, Rudy List, Otto Burich, Adolph Mussatti, Harold Barkstrom and Palmer Hanson. See attached article from MWHS November 2020 newsletter for identification of these individuals in the photo and a brief summary of Governor Kohler.

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. History of Voss' Birchwood Lodge 1903-1980 - 1908- Henry Voss purchased property on Spider Lake 1909- Henry marries Ruth LaPorte 1919- built first year round home on the property 1919- "Homestead" cabin converted to dining room for Amereican Plan 1924- Palmer and Walter Hanson built large Main Lodge 1928- New building on highway for gas station coffeeshop and rooms upstairs; Dr. Kate Newcomb had an office here 1963- Audrey & Bob buy Lloyd Voss share of property 1977-78: highway building renovated into 4 shops: Old Settler's Inn coffeeshop and restaurant mangaged by Ruth Dickerson Gardner

   Resort Collection

   Record Type: Library

   
9. Koller Cranberry Company and early cranberry marsh history as detailed in a 2015 interview with cranberry pioneer Betty Koller. 9/29/2015 - Betty recalls how she and husband Frank came to own a cranberry marsh and what the difficult early days were like. The Kollers sold their MW marsh to Northland Cranberries in 1996. Also included is an excerpt about cranberry farm history from a 3/15/2015 interview Betty did for Town history. Copy & paste the Youtube link to view a video that Frank made of their 1986 harvest.

   2015

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Live From Virgin Forest Park! by Kay Krans 1923-1940 - An article about the dance pavilion, Virgin Forest Park, on Alder Lake.

    2/2023

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. Lodge at Voss' Birchwood ca 1920s - This building was built by brothers Palmer and Walter Hanson in 1924.

    Record Type: Photo

    
12. Miss Wisconsin pageant contestants visit Manitowish Waters June 1951 - The contestants were treated to fishing, shore lunches, s'mores, dinners and a fun pageant event at Koerner's auditorium.

    Record Type: Photo

    
13. Newspaper clipping from the Montreal River Miner announcing the Town of Spider Lake officially changing its name to the Town of Manitowish Waters. 12/29/1939 - One impetus for this change was residents wanting a local Post Office. Previously, the mailing address for our area was Manitowish, WI in Iron County. Per local lore, Rubin Oberg and Palmer Hanson were instrumental in selecting Manitowish Waters as the new name.

    12/29/1939

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. Palmer Hanson served in World War I as a CM2c (Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class) in the US Navy- European theatre. He was honorably discharged to the US Naval Reserve Force in June 1920. - Included in this record is his inquiry to attend West Point at age 19 (on his high school's stationery), age verification document for the Navy, pictures of a few military "souvenirs" from Paris and London and a publication about ship life.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Palmer Hanson's Service to the Country 1915-1924 - The article, written by Palmer's son John, reveals Palmer's interest in serving his country from an early age. It discusses his tour of duty in Europe during World War I.

    10/2023

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Robert Loveless: The Northwoods Jack of All Trades by Kay Krans 1891-1949 - The article recounts Loveless' life in the Manitowish Waters area including his many entrepreneurial pursuits. Learn about his Virgin Forest Park dance pavilion on Alder Lake during the Roaring 1920s and Prohibition.

    2/2021

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. The American Legion and our Local Post 1930-2023 - A history about the establishment of our local American Legion Post and Auxiliary.

    10/2023

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. The Manitowish Waters Airport history as written by B.C. "Benji" Roemer 1945-2003 - Benji was instrumental in establishing the airport, the town's Airport Committee, the paved runways and the new terminal building.

    2003

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. The Rest Lake "Floating Island Fiasco" by Halomae Sexton 7/23/1964 - A humorous article about Manitowish Water residents attempting to move the floating island to anchor it in an acceptable location.

    July 23,1964

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. Town of Spider Lake application to the US Postmaster General to establish a local Post Office. 4/8/1939 - Per Postmaster John Michaelis, the application was not granted until 3/1/1948. Per longtime postal employee Ellen Perkins, the first post office opened 10/1950 and was housed in a cabin at Rudy's Rest Haven. Note: The Town of Spider Lake officially was renamed Town of Manitowish Waters in November 1939.

    April 1939

    Record Type: Archive