Related Records

1. Correspondence related to the placement of waterway markers, aka Ski Area buoys, in the Skiing Skeeter waterski show area on Rest Lake. 1995 - Included is the application for 2 such buoys signed by Skiing Skeeter club president Robyn Schachman, the 1994 Town Boating ordinance included with application, and the DNR letter approving the request.

   1995

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. "Hanson, DNR criticized for controversial removal of 'floating island'"- by Eric Johnson, reporter for The Lakeland Times 4/2008 - The Rest Lake floating island was removed via excavator in February 2008. The Wisconsin DNR approved the permit submitted by Town Chairman John Hanson. Area residents and Town Board Supervisors felt the removal was not properly discussed and decided prior to the action.

   4/8/2008

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. History of the Mercer Ranger Station 1928-1989 - The first office/residence building was constructed in 1928. The concrete block service building was built in 1933. State agency re-organizations changed the territory and staffing of this location over the years. In 1989 however it was still fully operational. Image source: Wisconsin Historical Society Image ID 5717

   1989

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. History of the Powell Marsh Wildlife area as found in Chamber of Commerce guides. - Founded in 1957 by the DNR as a game management project, it encompasses 13,000 acres. Located on Powell Road.

   1957

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. 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

   
6. Hometown Hero Roy Jacobson 1961-2012 - An article about Roy's military career in the US Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism as a Green Beret in Vietnam. The article discusses his continued service after the war and the publication of his Special Forces experience.

   10/2023

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. Interpretive signage panels detailing the history of Wisconsin YCC camps. 1961-1995 - The signs are located on the grounds of the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. The NLDC campus was previously the site of the Statehouse Lake YCC. The sign content was developed by historian Kay Krans and the Manitowish Waters Historical Society.

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. Left to Right: Bill Carow-District Forest Ranger for Mercer Ranger Station, Gaylord Nelson (WI Governor 1959-1963; Senator 1963-1981), unknown person ca possible late 1960s - Appears to be at a summer field day or convention, possibly for the Wisconsin Conservation Commission (later became the DNR).

   Record Type: Photo

   
9. Letter from the Wisconsin DNR notifying the Manitowish Waters Town Board of a request to change the name of the island on Manitowish Lake. 10/2017 - The request was to change the name to "Monkey Island". The unofficial Vilas County name was "Pinnacle Island", though other state sources had it as unnamed. It was locally referred to as "Manito Island"

   10/18/2017

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. McClellan Junction newsletters - The McClellan family has been in MW since the early days of cranberry growers. Bob grew up between Alder and Little Trout Lakes and became a premier guide and outdoors man. Raising his family on Alder Lake and at his business The Junction. Bob was most well known for his expertise for walleye fishing, although was a master at catching every species of fish in the Northwoods. The Junction Newsletter is a unique outreach to the fishing community in the Northwoods using early digital publishing with the support of his sister Pat Cowles. His son Ricky continues to guide many of the same lakes as his dad. Note: this description provided by MWHS President Jim Bokern.

    1991-1992

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. News article about the Wisconsin DNR evaluating possible change to the Rest Lake dam operating order. October 2005 - A meeting was held with the DNR and other stakeholders to discuss timing of reservoir fill and draw down as well as rate of flows to do so. Objective is to balance competing interests of river ecology and fish spawning/stranding downstream with navigation and property damage upstream.

    10/21/2005

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. 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

    
13. 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

    
14. Senator Gaylord Nelson in the light colored shirt. ca late 1960s - Senator Nelson was in the Mercer /Manitowish Waters area most likely for Wisconsin Conservation Commission business.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Statehouse Lake Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Camp. 1962-1969 - This collection of photos show daily activities at the camp. Source: Wisconsin Historical Society Submitter: Wisconsin. Department of Natural Resources Title: Statehouse Lake youth camp View at: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu Search for "Statehouse Lake youth camp"

    Record Type: Photo

    
16. The Stenback daughters, Eila Stenback and Helvi Serbin, continued their father's efforts to purchase land they leased from the State of Wisconsin on Rest Lake. 1974-1976 - The land was in Section 3, Lot 1 in what became referred to as Finn Bay on Rest Lake. Though their orginal 1920 lease was extended, it expired in 1972. The women continued to pursue a purchase, even citing precedence of a leased land sale on Big Lake. WI Governor Patrick Lucey granted them a lifetime lease in 1976. The cottages were eventually sold and moved. The land is now the Town of Manitowish Waters Serbin Park.

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. WI DNR website document detailing the operation of the Rest Lake Dam as directed by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's 7/8/1937 order and subsequent 2/17/1939 rehearing order. - These orders established reservoir fill and draw down parameters for the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes.

    2007

    Record Type: Archive