Related Records

1. Abe LaFave brief biography and tales of being a pioneer family in the Northwoods. ca 1880s-1920s - Includes Abe's 1931 homestead claim certificate. T42N R6E S18 Lot 7

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. An article about how John "Mac" and June McFarland became cranberry pioneers and what life was like in MW in the mid 1940s. 1925-1947 - McFarland Cranberry Co hosted the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association summer meeting and field day in 1995. This article was included in the event program.

   1995

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Dan & Kate Devine's sons. 1903 - L to R: Tom, Paul, John, William, Daniel Jr., James and George. Daughters Elizabeth (aka Lizzie or Maria) and Mary not included.

   Record Type: Photo

   
4. Devine home on Clear Lake. ca 1900 - This is the second home of Dan & Kate on Clear Lake, built in the 1800s. Per relative Ellen Perkin's oral history interview, Devine's first home was on Island Lake on the east point of the channel exiting the lake (5758 Golf Road). They were allowed to select a new location as their current home would be under water once the dam was built (ca 1890s). Dan picked Clear Lake.

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. Devine/Perkins home on Clear Lake. 1908 - L to R: Mary Perkins, Carrie Devine holding Leah Perkins, Kenneth Perkins, Tom Devine, John Perkins, Jess, Grandma Devine (Kate?), Grandpa Devine (Lynch??), ?, Fabian Devine.

   Record Type: Photo

   
6. Dolly Tirpe Remembers Manitowish Waters- a 1999 two-part Lakeland Times newspaper feature story by Joyce Laabs. 1871-1998 - Dolly recounts the story of her father Robert Loveless, an early settler and entrepreneur in the area. She shares stories and information about her husband and children as well. Included in the record is a page from her journal of recollections detailing much the same information as in the newspaper article.

   1999

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. Don & Jan Rayala reflect on living in Manitowish Waters, community service and being cranberry growers Early 1900s-2018 - The interview covers early rustic life, Dr. Kate health care, polio diagnosis, schools, cranberry farming and area businesses and families.

   10/2/2018

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. Douglas/Desris recording about family history in MW. - Marlene Douglas Desris and her brother Drake Douglas reminisce about spending summers at Betzer's Resort on Alder Lake and subsequently owning property on the Trout River. ca 1940-2020

   6/24/2020

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. Dr. & Mrs E.A. Flancher and the Peggy Line by Michael Dunn 1913-1955 - This is Micheal Dunn's recollection of his interactions with Dr. Edwin A.and Louisa Flancher who had a summer home at Balsam Point on Manitowish and Little Manitowish Lakes. The narrative discusses how the Flancher's house was built and summer life on the property.He recalls Mrs. Flancher talking about the "Peggy line" used by the logging companies that ran towards Alder Lake.

   4/2017

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Drought Having Great Effect on Lake Levels by Michael Dunn for the Lakeland Times (Minocqua, WI) July 1976 - The article discusses how the lack of rainfall for the last two years is impacting water levels across the entire Manitowish River watershed and how the dam helps to mitigate those effects. Dunn interviews longtime dam caretaker Cal LaPorte and his father, George LaPorte. Included are pictures taken for the article. Dunn also shares a brief history of the role of the dam in river drive logging in the late 1880s- 1906

    July 1976

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. "Early Cranberry Life in Manitowish Waters" - transcript of interview with John and Barbara McFarland 2/24/2015 - John's parents, John "Mac" and June, were two of the cranberry pioneers establishing cranberry marshes in MW in the mid 1940s. John and Barbara became sole owners in 1976 and then sold the property to Northland Cranberry Co. in 1996.

    2015

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. Early photos of Blanchard family on Little Star Lake. ca 1900s-1920s - Current location is 5636 Star Lake Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
13. Eddie Seybold preparing a meal at his and Henry A. Voss' campsite. ca 1900-1908 - Eddie Seybold and Henry A. Voss lived together in Milwaukee, WI. Eddie was getting sick from chemicals at his place of work so he moved to Manitowish Waters to be with his good friend and roommate Henry. They lived in little "hooches" and camped in the area. Eddie later moved in with Madeleine and Serafino "Suds" Morichetti on Spider Lake when Henry began building Voss' Birchwood Lodge.

    Record Type: Photo

    
14. Growing Up on Alder Lake by Ella Loveless Kassien 1872-1942 - A narrative written by Ella Loveless Kassien discussing the life of her father, Robert (Bob) Loveless.The narrative covers his time in Manitowish Waters including his sawmill, Virgin Forest Park and store along Highway 10. It reveals what life was like for early settlers in this area. Ella also shares memories of growing up on Alder Lake with her siblings.

    8/29/1999

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. Mann's Resort: "Oldtimer Tells of How He Opened Up Tourist Trade to Trout Lake" 1888 - Two builders hauled supplies over Indian trails and by boat to build the resort for John Mann. This resort later became Cardinal's Manitowish Lodge (11190 Heritage Hill Lane, Arbor Vitae, WI)

    8/8/1931

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Michael Dunn III "A Look Back" historical overview of Manitowish Waters published in the 1987-1992 Chamber of Commerce guides. 1600-1999 - The overview covers the period from the 1600s to 1999. The document discusses the Chippewa Indians, logging, resorts, tourism, summer homes, fishing, agriculture and economic and business development. Attached are two documents, both with the same text. One history has images embedded and the other is text only.

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. Mrs. Emma Andrews tells of Early Days 11/1962 - Emma celebrated her 97th birthday. Many local residents attended. She recounted what the Manitowish area was like in the early days. At the time Mercer did not exist and the logging industry was large. She watched logs sluice through the rivers followed by a wanigan (floating cook shanty). Includes her 1965 obituary.

    11/9/1962

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. "My Memories of Yesteryear: Life on Island Lake- In the Early Years" by John LaFave 1901-1973 - Anecdotes and short tales by John, son of Abe and Sarah LaFave, early pioneers in the Northwoods. Also linked is a slightly different version of these recollections titled "Stories from Island Lake" by Jack(John) and brother Charley LaFave as well as a collection of Gumps comic strips by Sidney Smith based on his experiences as a guest at LaFave's Island Lake Resort.

    1970

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. Otto Blaha's son on sled behind Dolly the horse. This was the mode of transportation in the 1920s. - Otto Blaha's son (the MWHS/Library has an audio tape describing this being the only child in a group of friends who are caretakers - Blaha, Heideman, Bovee, and Theriault) Blaha was a caretaker at the Manitowoc Club- Big Lake; Heideman at Badger's Keego; Bovee at Keith's Island.

    Record Type: Photo

    
20. Peter Vance at his homestead on Vance Lake. circa mid to late 1880's - Peter Vance at his homestead on Vance Lake. He was a guide, cruiser and pioneer. He was with a group that paddled up the Chippewa River, up the Flambeau River to the Manitowish River in August 1884. Historians claim him to be the first white man to establish a residence in the Manitowish Waters area.

    Record Type: Photo