Related Records

1. "78 Vilas County Lakes Given New Names by Federal Board" 3/18/1941 - The article lists eight lakes in the Town of Spider Lake that are renamed.

   3/18/1941

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. An estimated 8000 acres burned near the Town of Spider Lake. 8/8/1933 - The cause of the fire was blamed on a women berry picker who had cooked coffee over a camp fire.

   8/8/1933

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. General history of Manitowish Waters published in the Vilas County News Review Centennial Edition 2/19/1986. 1890-1937 - 1911-1930s: Logging and local sawmills 1890s-1911: First area resorts 1927: Established Town of Spider Lake 1920s-1930s: Town Hall, School, Cemetery, Fish Hatchery 1934: Dillinger gang at Little Bohemia 1937: Became Town of Manitowish Waters

   2/19/1986

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. Government documents and resolution changing the Town name from Spider Lake to Manitowish Waters. November 1939 - Town residents approved the resolution on 11/13/1939. Vilas County approved it on 11/14/1939 and the State of Wisconsin recorded the change on 11/24/1939.

   November 1939

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. "Government on the Home Front" by Frank DiLeonardi 10/2020 1928-2020 - This article discusses Manitowish Waters government structure and changes from its inception in 1928 to 2020. It includes an interview with the current Town Chairman, John Hanson.

   10/2020

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. 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

   
7. Manitowish Waters Town Hall. ca 1930s - early 1960s - This building was located at the Pine Lawn Cemetery. It was built by Neal LaPorte for a reported $3000. That included two outhouses behind the building! 1937 aerial photo showing the building and cemetery is included.

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. Michael Dunn's brief notes regarding the history of Buck's Spider Lake Resort, Deer Park Lodge and the bridge between Manitowish and Spider Lakes. 10/2004 - Note: current day Manitowish Waters was part of the Town of Lac Du Flambeau until 1927 when the Town of Spider Lake was formed. In 1939 the name was changed to the Town of Manitowish Waters. Dunn prepared these notes for the George W. Brown Jr. Museum in LdF.

   10/2004

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. News clipping reporting proposed bill in the Wisconsin Legislature to create the Town of Spider Lake. 2/25/1927 - The bill seeks to detach a portion of the Town of Flambeau to become the township of Spider Lake.

   2/25/1927

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Newspaper clipping from the Montreal River Miner announcing the Town of Spider Lake officially changing its name to the Town of Manitowish Waters. 12/29/1939 - One impetus for this change was residents wanting a local Post Office. Previously, the mailing address for our area was Manitowish, WI in Iron County. Per local lore, Rubin Oberg and Palmer Hanson were instrumental in selecting Manitowish Waters as the new name.

    12/29/1939

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. "Resort owners want fishing opener advanced to May 25" Iron County Miner (Hurley) 3/13/1925 - News clipping referencing Letter to the Editor written by Alvin Koerner, Spider Lake Resort, regarding a bill before the Wisconsin Legislature to more the opening of the 1925 fishing season from June 1 to May 25.

    3/13/1925

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. Spider Lake Township Ledger of Annual Meeting minutes. 3/17/1928-4/2/1940 - This book includes the minutes from the Annual Caucus (Nomination) and Annual Town Meetings,as well as the Cash Reciepts Journal, for the Town of Spider Lake. The Town of Spider Lake became the Township of Manitowish Waters in 1940.

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Town of Spider Lake application to the US Postmaster General to establish a local Post Office. 4/8/1939 - Per Postmaster John Michaelis, the application was not granted until 3/1/1948. Per longtime postal employee Ellen Perkins, the first post office opened 10/1950 and was housed in a cabin at Rudy's Rest Haven. Note: The Town of Spider Lake officially was renamed Town of Manitowish Waters in November 1939.

    April 1939

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. Town of Spider Lake, downtown. Early 1940s - Scene of street on Highway 51 near Rest Lake Dam.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Town of Spider Lake sets its own fishing regulations to protect spawning fish. 6/15/1935 - The article also briefly discusses the municipal fish hatchery and the jars filled with spawn. The Wakefield News; reprinted from Vilas County News Review

    6/15/1935

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Vilas County Board Resolution to change the town name from Spider Lake to Manitowish Waters 11/14/1939 - As documented in the county resolution, the Town of Spider Lake Board of Directors unanimously adopted to change the town name on 11/13/1939. Included is a cover letter notifying the Wisconsin Secretary of State of this change.

    11/14/1939

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. William Strandberg moved to Manitowish Lake with his mother, Annie, in 1904. By 1914 he had a cottage home on the Rest Lake channel by Stone Lake. Bill passed away in 1935. - Attached is a news clipping about Bill proving his homestead, a map showing his home by Stone Lake and obituaries for he and his mother.

    Record Type: Archive