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. Article about traveling by canoe from Manitowish, WI to the Mississippi River. The group travels with Alexander Andrews from Manitowish, WI to the Rest Lake Dam and through the chain of lakes before heading downstream. 1905 - The clippings are from the Oshkosh Northwestern, authored by Edward B. Barr, the Northwestern Sportsman of Milwaukee. The author provides rich details of the Northwoods post Phase 1 logging and travelling the Flambeau River prior to the creation of the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. He discusses old logging camps and Rest Lake dam caretakers.

   9/25/1905

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Biography of Romey Theriault 1886-1921 - Born in Canada in 1886, Theriault moved to the US in 1880 and Manitowish Waters area in 1901. He worked on the construction of the Rest Lake dam, as a logger, then a guide for Buck's resort. He tried his hand at farming on Manitowish Lake and eventually settled as the caretaker for P.D.Durant at Rest Lake Lodge.

   Family/Historical Narratives & images

   Record Type: Library

   
4. Chippewa Lumber and Boom camp on Vance Lake. 1909 - Chippewa Lumber and Boom Camp located below the Rest Lake Dam on Vance (Dam) Lake. Shows detail of Dingle, out building, electric wires, wagon, horse and white pine stumpage.

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. Chippewa Lumber and Boom logging camp ca 1940s - Located on the down river side of the Rest Lake dam, this logging camp was built by the Mississippi River Logging Co. in about 1888. It was sold to Chippewa Lumber and Boom some time before 1892. Both companies were owned by logging/lumber baron Frederic Weyerhauser. These pictures were taken long after the logging camp was abandoned and after the Win-Mar used the buildings as rental cottages. Estimating 1940s

   Record Type: Photo

   
6. Chippewa Lumber & Boom mill in Chippewa Falls, WI ca 1880s-1890s - Illustrates river drive logging. Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co owned the logging camp by the Rest Lake dam. This company and the Mississippi River Logging Co were owned by Frederick Weyerhaeusar.

   Record Type: Photo

   
7. "Dam at Manitowish". Picture taken looking down river from the Rest Lake Dam. The logging camp in the background is the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company. ca 1920s - Prior to 1904 this camp was owned by the Mississippi River Logging Co. Susan LaPorte first cooked at this lumber camp, probably in the 1890's. Susan's great-granddaughter, Ruthie Dickerson Gardner, recalls Susan relating a story about cleaning the cooking griddle with kerosene one day which started a fire and almost burned the building down.

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. Harry Case on the Rest Lake dam. October 1920 - The abandoned Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company camp is in the background.

   Record Type: Photo

   
9. History of Manitowish Waters page from 1936 Chamber of Commerce booklet - Historical account of Peter Vance's journey to this area in 1884. Included are some of Vance's recollections. Author of this narrative is unknown.

   1936

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. History of Manitowish Waters page from 1938-1962 Chamber of Commerce booklets. - Overview of Northwoods and Manitowish Waters history covering the period 1634 - 1884. Narrative text the same all years, images changed. Author of this narrative is unknown; Source of information was the WI Dept of Ag and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

    1938- 1962

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. History of Manitowish Waters page from 1963-1964 Chamber of Commerce booklets. - Overview of Northwoods and Manitowish Waters history covering the period 1634 - 1963. Now a two page narrative. First page is the same as published in the 1938-1962 Chamber guides. Newly added second page covers 1927-1963 town hall, community center and Chamber of Commerce history. Page 2 appears to be written by historian Michael Dunn III as it is very similar to the 1965 history page authored by him.

    1938- 1962

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. "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

    
13. 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

    
14. Old logging camp on Vance Lake below the dam. ca 1890s-1920s - This camp was first owned by the Mississippi River Logging Company and later by the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co., both of which were controlled by Frederic Weyerhaeusar. After river logging ended around 1906, this property sat vacant. In the 1920's it became part of the Win-Mar resort, shop and restaurant.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Rest Lake dam. 1888-1891 - Chippewa Lumber and Boom Co built this first dam at Rest and Dam (Vance) Lakes in 1888 to facilitate river log driving of white pine logs. The dam was of wood construction and had 2 spillways.It was rebuilt in 1892 to accommodate the company's expanded logging operations.

    Record Type: Photo

    
16. Rest Lake dam. 1892-1906 - Built in 1892, this is the second wooden dam built by Chippewa Lumber and Boom at the Rest Lake site. It was used for phase 1 river log drives until approx 1906 after which it went into disrepair until 1915.

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. 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

    
18. Rest Lake dam ca 1892-1905 - Chippewa Lumber and Boom logging camp in the background. This dam structure was built in 1892. River driving logging was done by ca 1906. Source: Boulder Junction, WI Library

    Record Type: Photo

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

    2024

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. 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