Related Records

1. A chart showing the difference, in feet, of the water levels for each lake on the Manitowish Waters chain before construction of the Rest Lake dam vs today's level with the dam. - The comparison is done for winter and summer seasons due to the draw down of lake levels in the fall. This document was created by Jim Bokern for use by the MWHS. Included are pictures of an 1878 drawing showing the change in elevation from the Trout and Manitowish Rivers to the dam at Rest Lake. This drawing is displayed at the Koller Library.

   2019

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Advertisements for Jones' Lakeview Lodge on Benson Lake and the Manitowish River. 1950s

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Aerial view of CCC Camp Mercer along the shore of the Manitowish River, Iron County WI. 1934-1937 ca - Three images attached: two are aerial images of Camp Mercer, one is of a hand drawn map of camp layout.

   Record Type: Photo

   
4. Aerial view of Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp Mercer 1937 - Wisconsin Historic Aerial Imagery Finder (WHAIF) https://maps.sco.wisc.edu/WHAIFinder/#7/44.750/-89.750 Aerial photographs of WI from 1937-1941 Creator: US Dept. of Agriculture Wisconsin State Cartographers Office (SCO) is a unit within the Dept. of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. An article about a fishing trip to Joe Ilg's Camp. 10/1933 - Joe Ilg entertained fishermen at his summer fishing camp on Rest Lake. Joe had a reputation for catching a variety of fish in the lakes and rivers.

   3/1/1935

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. An Outing of Waukesha Men in the Wilds of Wisconsin 9/27/1900 - An article telling of a fishing trip to the Manitowish waters and surrounding area. Interesting references: Dan Devine, George Buck, water levels, Divide's logging camp, Lafin's on Big Lake, moonshine, plus many others. The author of the article, A.H.Y., could be the Waukesha Freeman owner, author Henry Youmans.

   1900

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. 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

   
8. Article from the Elizabethville Echo in PA discusses the effective use of the fish lock at the Rest Lake Dam. 8/2/1934 - The article also discusses how the fish lock operates.

   8/2/1934

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. A waterwheel or paddlewheel of some sort on most likely the Manitowish River. Purpose is not known. - Location is speculated as either above Benson Lake or by Circle Lily Creek where there are bends/oxbows in the river. ca 1930

   Record Type: Photo

   
10. "Birching in the Big Woods". The author recounts a 70 mile birch bark canoe route from the Land O' Lakes area to the railroad depot in Manitowish WI, passing through the Manitowish chain of lakes. 1890 - A series of four articles in Shields Magazine,written by G.O. Shields, titled "Birching in the Big Woods, detailing the author's October 1890 Northwoods fishing and hunting trip via birch bark canoe with guide E.M. Clark. The 70 mile wilderness water route started in the Land O' Lakes area and passed through Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Manitowish Waters. The author writes about staying at a logging camp below the Rest Lake dam on their way down the Manitowish River to the train depot in Manitowish, WI. The articles discuss camping, hunting and the hardships of such an endeavor in 1890.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
11. Brochure for Jones' Lakeview Lodge on Benson Lake and the Manitowish River. 1950s

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. CCC cabins or bunkhouses along Manitowish River 1934 - CCC 660 Company Camp Mercer along the Manitowish River. View of the cabins or bunk houses. Wisconsin Historical Society https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM86470

    Record Type: Photo

    
13. 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

    
14. CCC photo of smoke from the Powell fire 1933-1934 - Smoke from the Powell fire. Appears the photo was taken from the CCC camp along the Manitowish River. Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 660, Mercer, WI Photograph album 1933-1934

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. CCC swimming hole. 1933-1934 - CCC members swimming in the Manitowish River beside the camp. Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 660, Mercer, WI Photograph album 1933-1934

    Record Type: Photo

    
16. Charles "Cap" Smith family pictures of a 3 day canoe trip down the Manitowish and Flambeau Rivers to Park Falls, WI. 1927 - The dam in Springstead was built ca 1925 so the Flambeau Flowage was continuing to flood in 1927. The images show the canoes paddling through flooded high ground with trees. Included in the record are excerpts from Charles "Bud" Smith Jr.'s recollections of this trip.

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. 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

    
18. Circle Lily bar and restaurant when owned by Kurt Potter. 1998 - The building burned down 8/9/1998.

    Record Type: Photo

    
19. Circle Lily Bar ca late 1930s or early 1940s - Owned by Louie Laffin. Note the slot machine.

    Record Type: Photo

    
20. Circle Lily Bar under ownership of Ray and Ginny Newbold. ca 1950-1962 - The Newbolds hosted many community and family events at Circle Lily as evidenced by the attached news clippings. The Newbolds purchased the business from Louie and Clara Laffin on land contract. During their ownership the highway got moved from the river's edge to it current location, cutting through their property. Per documents, the Laffins applied for a liquor license in 1962, indicating they got the property back.

    Record Type: Photo