Related Records

1. Frank & Olga Stenback, from Bessemer, MI, leased State of WI land on Rest Lake. 1920-1993 - The land was in Section 3, Lot 1 in what is referred to as Finn Bay. (Stenback and other lessor John Lahti immigrated to the US from Finland). The Stenbecks built two cottages and a sauna on the property and spent summers there. Frank tried to purchase the land for many years but the WI DNR was not interested in selling. Wisconsin terminated all leases of state land in 1954 however the Stenback family was granted extensions until 1972. Frank's daughters, Eila Stenback and Mrs. Helvi Serbin, lost the "battle" to purchase the property in 1976 but were given a lifetime lease by WI Governor Patrick Lucey. The cottages were eventually sold and moved. The land is now the Town of Manitowish Waters Serbin Park.

   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. 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

   
4. 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

   
5. NYT article-A Cabin, a Lake, a Memory Christine Cozzens reflects back on her summer vacations on Rest Lake in the 1950s-1960s - Their cabin was part of the Hoosier Club on Rest Lake, which was state leased land at the time. Included in the record is a letter Cozzens received from a reader with similar fond memories of summers in Manitowish Waters.

   Family/Historical Narratives & images

   Record Type: Library

   
6. NYT article-Beside a Wisconsin Lake Christine Cozzens reflects back on her summer vacations in Manitowish Waters in the 1960s. 1950-2004 - Christine Cozzens reflects back on her summer vacations in Manitowish Waters in the 1960's. She writes about returning here in 2004 to see how the community has changed, if at all, from her recollections. She discusses area businesses, downtown, resorts, water ski show and Discovery Center.

   Family/Historical Narratives & images

   Record Type: Library

   
7. State Forester's biennial reports on everything related to Wisconsin forestry. Includes information on taxation of forest land, soil surveys, forest reserves, leased land, rangers, education, forest fires, forest issues and projects as well as land to purchase or sell. 1909-1912 - Two biennial reports to the State Board of Forestry are linked.

   Conservation Collection

   Record Type: Library

   
8. 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

   
9. "Wisconsin's Early Forest Rangers" written by local historian James Bokern. 1904-1976 - This article discusses the history of the forest ranger position in Wisconsin and the important role forest rangers had regarding establishing and protecting our state forests. Included is a link to a summary of the article, excerpted for the MWHS June 2025 newsletter.

   01/2020

   Record Type: Archive