Related Records

1. Abe LaFave brief biography and tales of being a pioneer family in the Northwoods. ca 1880s-1920s - Includes Abe's 1931 homestead claim certificate. T42N R6E S18 Lot 7

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Abe LaFave ca 1920s - LaFave's Island Lake Resort is in the background of the photograph.

   Record Type: Photo

   
3. Abe LaFave on the right

   Record Type: Photo

   
4. Biography of Abe LaFave. 1858-1924 - Includes establishment of Island Lake Resort and Inland Resort. Obituraries attached

   Family/Historical Narratives & images

   Record Type: Library

   
5. Charles "Bud" Smith Jr. 1991 interview about the Smith family's long history in Manitowish Waters. 1915-1991 - The original Smith property was on Manitowish and Little Star Lakes. They continue to own Olivida on the northwest shore of Manitowish Lake.

   10/23/1991

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. "Fish Tales" by Ruth Gardner - Ruthie relates how fishing guides became an integral part of early Northwoods history recalling some of her favorite characters.

   4/2020

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. General history of Manitowish Waters published in the Vilas County News Review Centennial Edition 2/19/1986. 1890-1937 - 1911-1930s: Logging and local sawmills 1890s-1911: First area resorts 1927: Established Town of Spider Lake 1920s-1930s: Town Hall, School, Cemetery, Fish Hatchery 1934: Dillinger gang at Little Bohemia 1937: Became Town of Manitowish Waters

   2/19/1986

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. Hand drawn map of Buswell Lumber Mill community by Abe LaFave. Date unknown - Source Information Media Type: map Provider's name: North Lakeland School URL: https://sites.google.com/nles.us/nlstownhistoryproject/buswell Digital ID: Image ID: Page #:1

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. History of Manitowish Waters narrative from 1965-1972 Chamber of Commerce guides and an updated page 3 published in the 1973-78 guides. - Written by historian Michael Dunn III, this narrative covers the area's history from the Ojibwe inhabitants to fur trading, logging, railroads, establishment of the Town and services, development of tourism, resorts, recreation, schools, retail and manufacturing, all in 3 pages! Also attached is page 3 from 1979-1986 published narrative with added images of the airport and Fire Department.

   1965-1986

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. "In Island Lake- A Party of Evansvillians Enjoying Fishing" 1895 - A group of Indiana men travel to the Manitowish chain of lakes for a week of fishing and hunting. They stayed at LaFave's Island Lake Resort.

    10/6/1895

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. Island Lake/LaFave's resort- 3 plat maps 1898,1912 &1931 - Township 42N Range 6E 1898 map includes "Abe Devines Hotel on Island" and Big Lake is listed as "J.N. Cotter Ls" 1931 map was prepared to add the Island to the 1863 plat map.

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. LaFave family history on Island Lake as reported in a series of three newspaper articles. The articles cover the time period 1860-2007 and reflect on early resort and pioneer days. 1897-2007 - LaFave family history on Island Lake and Island Lake Resort in Manitowish Waters (1897-1967) as reported in a series of three 2007 articles in the Lakeland Times newspaper. The information for the series is drawn from resort brochures, "My Memories of Yesteryear-Life on Island Lake in the Early Days" written by Abe LaFave's son, John, as well as interviews with Abe's granddaughters Olive Johnson and Suzie Bauer. The articles cover the time period from 1860-2007 including John LaFave's reminiscence of the early pioneer and resort days.

    2007

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. LaFave's Island Lake Resort classified ads 1896 - 1913

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. LaFave's Island Lake Resorts brochure. ca 1920s - Includes a map of Island Lake noting potential fishing spots.

    ca 1920s

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. Michael Dunn III "A Look Back" historical overview of Manitowish Waters published in the 1987-1992 Chamber of Commerce guides. 1600-1999 - The overview covers the period from the 1600s to 1999. The document discusses the Chippewa Indians, logging, resorts, tourism, summer homes, fishing, agriculture and economic and business development. Attached are two documents, both with the same text. One history has images embedded and the other is text only.

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. "My Memories of Yesteryear: Life on Island Lake- In the Early Years" by John LaFave 1901-1973 - Anecdotes and short tales by John, son of Abe and Sarah LaFave, early pioneers in the Northwoods. Also linked is a slightly different version of these recollections titled "Stories from Island Lake" by Jack(John) and brother Charley LaFave as well as a collection of Gumps comic strips by Sidney Smith based on his experiences as a guest at LaFave's Island Lake Resort.

    1970

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. Outers' Book- Recreation article about fishing on Island Lake. August 1918 - This is the last of the author's five articles about fishing the Manitowish chain. He discusses the lake structure and goes into depth about the Manitowish river and Boulder Bay. LaFave's Island Lake Resort is referenced.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
18. Paddlewheel boat from logging days, launch to transport guests to resorts and a canoe. ca 1910's-1920's - Location is north of the Rest Lake dam. Abe LaFave and children in the picture.

    Record Type: Photo

    
19. "The Big Island on Island Lake" by Kay Krans 1888- 2023 - In addition to delineating the ownership history of the "Main Island", the article also shares what island life was like for the LaFave family, the caretakers of this property over the years and the changes made.

    6/2023

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. The Rest Lake Dam and the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes- 1978 Thesis by Jim Bauer 1888-1978 - Submitted at UW-Stevens Point. History of the dam and the lakes affected by it. Discusses the dams constructed on Rest Lake, phase I, II and III logging, water level issues over the years, tourism, vacation homes, the fish hatchery and the fish lock.

    7/25/1978

    Record Type: Archive