Related Records

1. Abstract for the property known as the Fireplace Inn. 1872-1987 - The document includes ownership transfers of many different lots from the Rest Lake dam and logging camp on Vance Lake to The Fireplace Inn on Tower Road. Attached are summary real estate transfers by lot, or groups of lots, to help follow ownership.

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. A news clipping that refers to the Rest Lake dam as the "Henry" dam. 10/27/1916 - The clipping reports that the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed a lower Circuit Court ruling that the Wisconsin Railroad Commission has the authority to require the owner of the Rest Lake dam, the Chippewa & Flambeau Improvement Company, to fix the water levels controlled by the dam. Local residents complained that the owner's level of a maximum 15' head was too high. The Railroad Commission changed it to 8 1/2' maximum.

   10/27/1916

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Drought Having Great Effect on Lake Levels by Michael Dunn for the Lakeland Times (Minocqua, WI) July 1976 - The article discusses how the lack of rainfall for the last two years is impacting water levels across the entire Manitowish River watershed and how the dam helps to mitigate those effects. Dunn interviews longtime dam caretaker Cal LaPorte and his father, George LaPorte. Included are pictures taken for the article. Dunn also shares a brief history of the role of the dam in river drive logging in the late 1880s- 1906

   July 1976

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. Excerpt from an abstract cancelling a 1918 tax deed given to Joe Ilg Sr. for Lots 3 and 7 in Section 9 Township 42N Range 5E. 1925 - Chippewa & Flambeau Improvement Co claimed the County improperly sold the lots as they were not delinquent in paying property taxes. The excerpt is from an abstract prepared for The Fireplace Inn property. See record #2022.031.001 page 28 for this excerpt.

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. Excerpt from the 1938 Opinions & Decisions of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin relating to the 7/8/1937 operating order for the Rest Lake Dam. - These orders established reservoir fill and draw down parameters for the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes.

   1938

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. History of the Rest Lake Dam, 1937 to Present by John Hanson - The June 2024 newsletter article focuses on the evolution of dam operating orders over the years. Specific dates of changes and challenges are 1937, 1997, 2001, 2007 (establishment of the Manitowish Chain Defense Fund), 2014, 2015 (today's Memorandum of Understanding between all stakeholders).

   2024

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. "Log cabin scene Dam Lake-Manitowish Wisc-The Win-Mar" ca 1930s - Caption reads "Log cabin scene Dam Lake - Manitowish Wisc - The Win-Mar These buildings were located to the left of the Rest Lake dam, looking downstream. The buildings on the right in the photo were most likely part of the Mississippi River Logging Co prior to 1904, when the camp was sold to the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Co. In 1913 the property was then sold to the Chippewa Land and Improvement Company. The Win-Mar Resort had cabins here, both along the road as well as on Dam (Vance) Lake. (See Photos Catalog 2018.2.1 for another image of a cabin). The partial building shown in this image may be one of the cabins. The Pea Patch motel was eventually built on this site.

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. Michael Dunn III- logging activities in MW area 1887-1912 - "A Thumbnail Sketch of Logging Activities in the Manitowish Waters Area". This narrative discusses the logging and lumber history from 1887-1912. It references logging and lumber companies and barons as well as railroad companies and lines.

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. News clipping reporting a reward is being offered in relation to the damage done to the Manitowish (Rest Lake) dam. June 1916 - The Chippewa Flambeau Improvement Company (a corporation of local power companies) took over ownership of the dam in 1912 and was required to make major repairs to the structure in 1915 as per the direction of the Wisconsin Railroad Commission.

   6/29/1916

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. News release: Explanation of the water level draw down each fall on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes. 2019 - The draw down is regulated by an operating agreement between the Wisconsin DNR and the dam owner, Xcel Energy-Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement division.

    2019

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. News release: Wisconsin DNR signs a four year Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Xcel Energy's Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Co division, owner of the Rest Lake Dam, clarifying dam operations. 2016 - The 1939 operating order continues in effect. The MOU changes the timing of water flows- more water downstream during fish spawning and an earlier start to spring fill of the chain of lakes reservoir.

    April 2016

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. Public service announcement for law regarding construction of dams in Wisconsin. Includes reference to the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company. 1921 - The railroad commission of Wisconsin must approve water levels and maintenance of dams in the state. The CFIC will institute proceedings to procure land by eminent domain when necessary.

    6/24/1921

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Rest Lake dam. 1892-1914 - The second wooden dam at Rest Lake was built in 1892 by Chippewa Lumber and Boom Co. to accommodate their expanded logging operations. This dam was constructed of heavy timbers, had huge iron bullwheels and three spillways. Has been referred to as "High Dam". Phase one river drive logging by large companies was concluded by 1906. The dam was left to deteriorate and water levels returned to their natural levels which is about 10' at the dam. In 1914 dam owner Chippewa Flambeau Improvement Co. (a corporation of area power companies) and the Railroad Commission established a maximum reservoir head at the dam to be 8'. These images were shared with Mark Leistickow by WI DNR officials.

    Record Type: Photo

    
14. Rest Lake dam. 1906-1915 - By 1906 river drive logging was over in the MW area. The dam fell into disrepair until 1915 when the Wisconsin Railroad Commission required the dam owner, Chippewa Flambeau Improvement Co, to make major needed repairs.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Rest Lake Dam: From the Beginning by Jim Bokern 1878-2023 - History of the dam detailing construction, purpose and ownership.

    2024

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Rest Lake Dam looking downstream with Chippewa Lumber and Boom Co logging camp shown. 1892-1906 - This is the second wood dam at this site, constructed in 1892. By 1906 Phase 1 river drive logging had ended in our area. Chippewa Lumber and Boom owned the dam, and let it fall into disrepair, until 1912 when the Chippewa Flambeau Improvement Co ( a corporation of local power companies) took ownership. The Win-Mar eventually used the logging camp buildings as rental cottages.

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. The Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Co was authorized to construct, acquire, maintain, and operate a system of water reservoirs located on the headwaters of the Chippewa and Flambeau Rivers and tributaries. 1921 - Chapter 339 Law of 1924 Click on link to read the article.

    6/24/1921

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. 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

    
19. 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

    
20. View from top of Rest Lake Dam looking downstream to Dam (Vance) Lake. 1892-1906 - This is the second wood dam at this site, constructed in 1892. This image was taken before 1906 when river drive logging was over as the dam appears to be operational yet in this image.

    Record Type: Photo