Related Records

1. 1912 Proposed Forest Reserve Map - State of Wisconsin's Collection Report of the State Forester of Wisconsin. For 1911 to 1912. Madison Wisconsin: Democratic Printing Company, State Printer, 1913. p. 103. Public documents of the state of Wisconsin being reports of the various state officers, departments and institutions for the fiscal term ending June 30, 1912

   Record Type: Photo

   
2. 1912 Proposed Forest Reserve Map - State of Wisconsin's Collection Report of the State Forester of Wisconsin. For 1911 to 1912. Madison Wisconsin: Democratic Printing Company, State Printer, 1913. p. 103. Public documents of the state of Wisconsin being reports of the various state officers, departments and institutions for the fiscal term ending June 30, 1912

   Record Type: Photo

   
3. Biennial Reports of State Conservation Commission of Wisconsin. 1915-1936. - Eleven biennial reports are linked to this record detailing the activities of this commission or department. The areas of reporting include Forestry, State Parks, Fisheries, Forest Products and Game.

   Conservation Collection

   Record Type: Library

   
4. Bill Summers' photos from CCC Camp Mercer. 1933-1942 - Bill was the Project Superintendent at Camp Mercer for most of its existence and was well respected by supervisors, staff and enrollees. He was on staff at the time the Camp was closed and dismantled in 1942.

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. Camp Mishike- America's First Forestry Camp for Boys is Now Established in Vilas County. 1922 - Three investors purchased 1600 acres of cut-over land in Winchester for a boys recreational camp based on the principles of forestry. Their purpose was to reforest, study nature, canoe, learn woodcraft, participate in out-of-door sports and learn camping skills.

   12/20/1922

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. Camp Mishike brochure- A forestry camp for boys located on Harris Lake in Winchester. 1923-? - Pronounced "Me-she-key".

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) 660th Company State Forestry S-79 Camp Mercer. 1933-1942 - History of Camp Mercer written by Jim Bokern. This narrative is posted on the MWHS web page and a summary was highlighted on the MWHS June 2025 newsletter (link included).

   2020

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. "E.M. Griffith and the Early Story of Wisconsin Forestry" written by Fred Wilson, forest ranger at the Trout Lake ranger station. (1903-1915) - A personal account by Fred G. Wilson, forest ranger at the Trout Lake Ranger station from 1911-1952, recording the life, vision and works of his superior E.M. Griffith, Wisconsin's first state forester. It was published in 1982 but covers the time period 1903-1915.

   Logging Collection

   Record Type: Library

   
9. Enrollee Bill Carothers at the entrance to Statehouse Lake YCC 1968 - An interview with Bill about his time at Statehouse Lake YCC can be found by copying and pasting the YouTube link in this record or searching on the MWHS YouTube channel.

   Record Type: Photo

   
10. Excerpt from the Blue Book of Wisconsin showing the number of acres of state forest reserve land by county, 1906 vs 1908 statistics. 1909 - This excerpt also discusses the importance of permanent state forest reserves, especially in the headwaters area of northern Wisconsin.

    Conservation Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
11. Forest Ranger Boathouse Trout Lake - 1911 - Forest Ranger Boat House - Trout Lake Wisconsin's History's Harrington Collection A postcard showing the view along shoreline toward the new boat house constructed of Norway pine logs at Trout Lake.

    Record Type: Photo

    
12. Historic forestry planting data drom the CCC camps in Iron County Wisconsin. 1934-1940 - This is a series of reports generated by the Wisconsin Conservation Department detailing the field planting activities preformed by the CCC Camps in Iron County from 1934-1940. The reports include seed source, nurseries, areas and species planted as well as any unique details for each job.

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. 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

    
14. LaFollette's Weekly Magazine article discussing the objectives of the state's forest policy which had a significant impact on northern Wisconsin. 1912 - The article,"Garden Spot of the State", discusses the state's purchase of inland lake islands, of setting aside forest reserves in Vilas and Iron Counties to protect the headwaters of important rivers, of leasing sites within the reserves for summer cottages or camps and establishing game preserves. See Library catalog #2020.1.2 for an article about leasing forest land for summer cottages.

    Conservation Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
15. LaFollette's Weekly Magazine article discussing Wisconsin's unique policy of granting leases of forest reserve land for summer cabins. 1912 - This article reviews the positive economic aspects of conservation that the state's land leasing policy provides. Such leases were granted in Manitowish Waters. See Library catalog #2020.1.1 for an article detailing the Objectives of WI Forest Policy, including leasing.

    Conservation Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
16. 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

    
17. Mann's Resort Trout Lake - 1911 - Mann's Resort: Trout Lake Wisconsin's History's Harrington Collection A postcard sent by C.L. (Neal) Harrington to his sister Alice Harrington in Hurley, Wisconsin.

    Record Type: Photo

    
18. News clipping reporting Yawkey-Bissell Lumber Company sold 40,000 acres of land in Vilas County for a state reserve (forest) in the Trout Lake and Manitowish lakes area. 1908

    6/22/1908

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. News clippings about Tom Devine. 1958 & 1960 - Tom was recognized for 22 years of fire fighting and forest protection. He was a guide and brook trout fishing addict.

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. News clippings reporting the study and hearings by Wisconsin politicians and forestry commission regarding the water power, forestry and drainage issues relative to the headwaters of the Wolf, Chippewa and Manitowish rivers. 1909-1910

    Record Type: Archive