Washburn - Bayfield County Wisconsin History


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Bayfield County History

History of Bayfield County
Source: History of Northern Wisconsin (1881) transcribed by Sandra Wright

NATURAL ADVANTAGES
Bayfield County had no prairie lands, most of the county being covered with growths of timber-chiefly hemlock, spruce, pine, sugar-maple, red oak, elm, poplar and white and yellow birch. The numerous streams afford facilities for handling the lumber cheaply. The streams in the northern part of the county empty into Lake Superior, while those in the southern part flow toward the Mississippi. They are bordered by rich lands, easily cultivated and very productive. There is a good supply of red and brown sandstone. Copper and iron have also been found.

Bayfield County has a coast line on Lake Superior of over seventy-five miles, of which not less then fifty miles are a safe and secure harbor for vessels. This harbor is formed by the Apostle Islands, which shelter it from winds in every direction. There are a number of trout streams in the county. Among the most noted are the Sioux River, Onion River, Pike’s Creek, Fish Creek, Raspberry and Sand rivers. All manner of wild game abounds in the woods, especially deer and bear.

INDIANS
The Chippewa Indians formerly occupied what is now Bayfield County, and many of their descendants still live, there, engaging in the same occupations as their white neighbor. The Indians have a reservation in this county, called the Red Cliff Reservation. Buffalo Bay, Indian village, contains a Government saw-mill. It is one of the most beautiful spots on the lake. Its population numbers 500, and is composed mostly of half-breeds and civilized Indians, who have all adopted the white man’s dress. Robert Pew established a school here in 1874. January 29, 1878, Red Cliff was visited by a destructive fire, which consumed property to the amount of $15,000. The Government, Mr. Mahan and family and L. O. Clemens were the principal losers.

EARLY HISTORY
This section is the scene of the first efforts by white men to introduce civilization into Wisconsin. The facts are detailed in the foregoing pages.

October 1, 1665, Father Allouez, the first white man who came to the county, reached the bay. It is believed that for a short time he was located at the place now known as Pike’s Bay, the precise spot being unknown. One tradition designates Section 22, and another Section 27, in Township 50 north, Range 4 west, the latter on the estate of Franklin Steele. The Jesuit engaged in missionary duties amongst the Indians, as is related in the preceding pages of this work.

Subsequently two other Jesuit missionaries, James Marquette and Louis Nicholas, attempted to perfect the work of Allouez. They were the next known white visitors to Bayfield. In 1693, Du Luth arrived, and traded with the Indians of “Chegoimegon.” Missionaries, voyageurs, fur traders, were the visitors of what is now Bayfield County, at different periods from 1666 to the year 1854, at which date speculators purchased lands of the United States, as preliminary steps to the modern settlement by whites.
The first settler of Bayfield County was Elisha Pike, who, with his wife and two children, came from Toledo, Ohio, in 1855, and located on Section 21, Township 50, range 4, in Bayfield County. He purchased an old saw-mill of Julius Austrain, who had bought of the American Fur Company. Mr. Pike also commenced farming.

The territory of Bayfield County belonged to five different counties before it was set off with an individual organization.

In October, 1818, the county of Michilimackinac, which included all of the present State of Wisconsin north of a line passing west from the head of De Noquet Bay, was created by Lewis Cass, then Governor of the territory of Michigan. A new county, with the name of Chippewa, was created by the same authority in1825. This county was formed of territory taken from the northern part of Michilimackinac, and extended along the entire southern shore of Lake Superior.

After the Territory of Wisconsin was separately organized, Crawford County embraced all of this region, the former two disappearing when the dominion of Michigan over them ceased.

St. Croix County was created from Crawford, by an act of the territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, in 1840, and included all that corner of the State.

In 1845, La Pointe County, including in its area the present counties of Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland, was set off from St. Croix.

In 1854, Douglas County was set off. Up to 1858, La Pointe has been the county seat of La Pointe County, but the seat was then removed to Bayfield, at which action the people of La Pointe united with Ashland in an effort to form a new county, comprising the Apostle Islands, which was done in 1860. The name of Bayfield was given to the remaining part of the old county of La Pointe in 1866. The county records were destroyed by fire in 1874, and the historian was unable to obtain a transcript of the first organization. The first election held in Bayfield was in November, 1857, when it was a town of La Pointe County. April 7, 1858, the first town election was held there.
Owing to absence of records of the town of Bayfield the first complete list of officers that can be found is for the year 1859, though the town was sett off two years before that. The officers for 1859 were: Andrew J. Day, Chairman; Linneus Matthews and William S. Warren, Supervisors; J. Harvey Nourse, Benjamin F. Bicksler and George Clark, Assessors; Peter H. Ley and Elisha Pike, Justices of Peace; Charles O. Stedwell and Antoine Perinier, Constables; T. L. Patterson, treasurer; J. Henry Feemeyer, Clerk; Benjamin F. Davidson, Overseer of Highways; Paul Lanouette, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Andrew Tate, Superintendent of Schools. The first meeting of this Town Board was held April 5, 1859, at which meeting $600 were appropriated for a school building, and $500 for a cemetery; $10 was made the license for selling spirituous liquors. In September, $1,000 were appropriated for building roadsand bridges to the St. Croix River.

An observatory has been built by the Government three miles from Bayfield, from which can be seen, with a good glass, a part of the north shore of Lake Superior and the eastern part of the Apostle Island group.

A court-house was built under contract by B. F. Bicksler, of Ashland, in 1874, costing about $15,000. Prior to this time the county offices were located in private buildings.
The population of the county (then La Pointe) in 1860 was 352; in 1870, 344; and in 1875 it was 1,032.

The present county officers are: John McCloud, County Judge; John Gonyon, Sheriff; Louis J. Bachand, Clerk; Nelson Boutin, Treasurer; J. D. Cruttenden, Register of Deeds; W. J. Herbert, Clerk of Circuit Court; B. B. Wade, District Attorney; O. Flanders, and E. Pike, Justices of Peace; Wm. Herbert, Street Commissioner.

The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad is surveyed to Bayfield, and is finished to Long Lake. Most of the line is graded to Chequamegon Bay. It will probably be constructed through to Bayfield in 1882.

BAYFIELD

Bayfield is the county seat and the principal place in Bayfield County. It was named in honor of Lieut. Henry R. T. Bayfield, of the British navy, who made the first survey of Lake Superior, from 1823 to 1825. It is sometimes called “The Fountain City,” from the fact that in front of many of the cottages are fountains, supplies with water from the hydraulic works.

It is probably that missionaries and traders visited the present site of Bayfield at a very early date. The Bayfield Press gives the following account of the place in 1765:
“It seems that in August, 1765, Alexander Henry, a trader, landed at what is now Bayfield, and built a house just below Chapman & Co.’s store, and above Col. Banfill’s house, occupied by F. Boutin, Esq. He called the place Chagaqamig, and said he ‘found fifty lodges of Indians there. These people are almost naked, their trade having been interrupted, first by the English invasion of Canada, and next by Pontiac’s War. * * * Chagawamig, or Chagawamigon, might at this period be regarded as the metropolis of the Chippewas, of whom the true name is Ojebway. * * * The chiefs informed me that they had frequently attacked the Sioux, with whom they are always at war, with 1,500 men, including in this number the fighting men of Fond du Lac, on the head of Lake Superior. The cause of the perpetual war carried on between these two nations in this, that both claim, as their exclusive hunting ground, the tract of which lies between them.

“’The Chippewas of Chagawamig are a handsome, well-made people, and much more cleanly, as well as much more regular in the government of their families, then the Chippewas of Lake Huron. Adding the Indians of Chagawamig to those I brought with me, I had now a hundred families, to all of whom I was required to advance goods on credit. At the expense of six days’ labor, I was provided with a very comfortable house for my Winter’s residence. My Winter’s food was the next object; and for this purpose, with the assistance of my men, I soon took 2,000 trout and white fish, the former frequently weighing fifty pounds each. We preserved then by suspending then by the tail in the open air. These, without bread or salt, were our food through all the Winter, the men being free to consume what quantity they pleased, and boiling or roasting them whenever they thought proper. After leaving Michilimackinac, I saw no bread, and I found less difficulty in reconciling myself to the privation, that I could have anticipated.

“’ On the 15th of December the bay was frozen entirely over. After this, I resumed my former amusement of spearing trout, and sometimes caught a hundred of these in a day,

“’ My house, which stood in the bay, was sheltered by an island of fifteen miles in length, and between which and the main shore the channel is four miles wide. On the island there are formerly a French trading post, much frequented, and in its neighborhood a large Indian village. To the southeast is a lake, called Lake des Ontaonais, from the Ottawas, its former possessors; but it is now the property of the Chippewas. [This is probably Ashland Bay.---Ed.]

“’On the 20th of April, 1766, the ice broke up, and several canoes arrived filled with women and children, who reported that the men of their land were all gone out to war against the Nadowessies, or Sioux. On the 15th of May a part of the warriors, with some others, arrived in fifty canoes, almost every one of which had a cargo of furs.’
“After giving an account of the doings and adventures of the war party, he says:
“’ I found myself in possession of a 150 packs of beaver, weighing 100 pounds each, besides twenty-five packs of otter and martin skins, and with this part of the fruits of my adventure, I embarked for Michilimackinac, sailing in company with fifty canoes of Indians, who had still 100 packs of beaver, which I was unable to purchase.’

“M. Cadotte, who had many descendents living in this vicinity, was a partner of Mr. Henry. Vincent Roy, Sr., now nearly eighty years of age, a man of great integrity and of high standing, had often pointed out the site of Henry & Cadotte’s buildings, and even now some of the places where they buried their goods can been seen.”

The first settlement was made by a party of nine men, under charge of John C. Henley, March 24, 1856, who, landed on a point now occupied by the residence of Col. John H. Knight. The first tree was felled, and the party erected a log cabin on the spot now occupied by the United States land-office. The cabin was finished March 26. On the twenty-seventh, John M. Free arrived, bringing Maj. McAboy, a civil engineer, and others, to lay out the town. They came overland from Superior. A dock was built. Hon. H. M. Rice, of St. Paul, had located the land and selected the site for Bayfield. The first family to arrive was John C. Henley’s, on the schooner “Algonquin,” May 8, 1856, this being the first vessel. Others who came about this time were Andrew Tate, Peter H. Ley, John Hamlin and S.S. Vaughn. Others soon followed. The first steamer to arrive was the “Lady Elgin,” on June 16, 1856, and the propeller “Manhattan,” July 7. The propeller “Mineral Rock” arrived July 27 with an engine and mill machinery with Mr. Kahoe. The first frame house was built by John C. Henley, July 16, 1856. The first hardware store was started by John and R. W. McCloud, of St. Paul, under charge of Joseph McCloud, in September, same year. S. S. Vaughn opened the first provision store in October. The building of a hotel by the Bayfield Land Company was commenced December 25, 1856, and was finished in June, 1857. It was opened by J. H. Nourse. This hotel was burned in 1860, then kept by George D. Livingston. The first post-office was established in October, 1856; Joseph McCloud, Postmaster. Mail service was carried on between Bayfield and St. Croix Falls semi-monthly. First mail was carried through by August La Rush.

In 1856, a dock was built, and a steam saw-mill erected. At this time Congress had passed several magnificent land grants to aid in construction of railroads, one of them, called the St. Croix and Lake Superior land grant, extending from Madison and Portage to lake St. Croix, and from there to the west end of Lake Superior and to Bayfield. In 1857 a dock was built by Charles E. Rittenhouse, which had since disappeared.

Bayfield was made a port of entry, December, 1858. In May, 1859, the revenue cutter “John B. Floyd” arrived for service on Lake Superior, with Bayfield as her station.
H. C. Hayward is the present Postmaster and Port Collector.

The steamers of the Lake Michigan & Lake Superior Transit Company touch at this point regularly. Connection is made with Ashland by the little steamers “Favorite” and “Eva Wadsworth” daily.

$500 was appropriated for a cemetery in 1859. it is located on section 28, about three and one-half miles west of the village.

The anticipated railroad from Bayfield to St. Croix [in aid of which a grant of land, now known as the “Bayfield and St. Croix land grant,” had been bestowed by Congress, which, it was believed, would cause Bayfield to excel even Chicago in business enterprise] has induced many Eastern people to purchase lots in Bayfield at enormous prices. In 1857, when all fictitious enterprises disappeared, the illusion was dispelled.
In 1860, Mr. McAboy’s residence was burned. In August, 1862, two buildings and a store belonging to Mr. McAboy and Mrs. Day were burned. They Bayfield House was destroyed by fire, March 10, 1863. The Herbert House was burned March 12, 1872, and in 1874, three buildings—one containing some of the county records, and another the Indian Agency offices—were burned. This was the largest fire Bayfield ever experienced.

The village of Bayfield is well built; the land gradually rises at an easy grade until one gets back about two miles, where it is several hundred feet above the lake, giving all who build a fine view of the bay. The streets are lined with shade trees, its sidewalks kept in good repair, and the whole place has a neat and substantial look. A system of water-works supplies almost every house in the town with pure spring water.
Large quantities of some of the finest building material in the West are obtained from the red sandstone quarry in the harbor.

The harbor at Bayfield is constantly dotted with sailboats and vessels, and upon the completion of a railroad, the village will, in all probability, become one of the finest Summer resorts in the country.

The harbor is formed by islands which shelter it from the wind in every direction. It is magnificent in its surroundings and perfect in all its details. It is the only harbor on Lake Superior that does not require engineering skill to complete and be made serviceable. It is large enough to accommodate any amount of shipping, no sunken rocks or dangerous reefs, and the largest draught vessels float in its waters without grounding; the largest steamers can land with safety in the most boisterous weather. It opens earlier and closes later then any other harbor, it being inside the currents of wind that drift the field-ice and icebergs across the face of, and into the bays.
As a commercial point in the manufacture and shipment of lumber she has all the elements requisite to build up a heavy business, equal to any point on the lakes. The fisheries in this vicinity are unexcelled, the field being united and the markets good; in this branch a big business had been built up which is assuming immense proportions. The shipment of tan bark is carried on to quite an extent.

As a Summer resort Bayfield comes in for a large share of the patronage. The town site includes almost every variety of surface, at some points forming beautiful terraces one above the other, and from all points a fine view of the lake is seen.

Schools—The first school was opened December 1, 1856, in the upper room of S.S. Vaughn’s building; it was kept up by subscription; was taught by Miss Rebecca McAboy; it was closed in march 1857. Another school was opened October 1, 1857, by Rev. Joseph Peel; this was also kept up by subscription. This school closed the following Spring.

At the first town meeting, held April 7, 1858, Andrew Tate was elected Town Superintendent of Schools, who proceeded to organize the first school district. The first school meeting was held May 1, 1858; at this meeting the following officers were elected: John C. Henley, Director; A. J. day, Treasurer; W. S. Warren, Clerk. The first public school was opened July 19, 1858, Miss Sara Mahan, teacher, who came from Cleveland, Ohio. The first school building was erected in the Summer of 1872. In 1876, another school was built on the bay about a mile and one-half above town, which has since been abandoned. The present attendance is about fifty: the school is first class in every respect, has good teachers and considered one of the best schools in northern Wisconsin.

Religious—The first religious services were held in 1856, in different houses, by William S. Warren, of the Methodist Church. An organization was perfected in August, 1857, Rev. James Peet, as pastor.

A Presbyterian Church was organized in the Fall of 1856; Rev. T. R. Elder was the pastor. Both these organizations erected churches. Neither of these denominations now hold any services, and have passed out of existence; both churches have sold and are now used as private dwellings.

Christ Church Episcopal Mission—Lay readings were commenced in October, 1869, by Thomas Carrington. A mission was organized April 8, 1870, and church built and occupied the following September. Bishop Wells preached the first sermon. In an early day Mr. Rittenhouse, of Washington, D. C., deeded in trust six lots for the benefit of an Episcopal Church at Bayfield, Wis. These lots are now held by the trustees of the church. The present missionary is the Rev. J. A. Davenport, who has officiated for several years. The present officers of the mission are, John McCloud, warden; J.H. Knight, secretary; J. D. Cruttenden, treasurer.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1859. In 1861 additions were made. Since then other improvements have been made, till now it is one of the most beautiful churches on the lake. It is situated on a high elevation overlooking the harbor, at the north end of the village. The first pastor was Father Chebul, who remained till 1871. From that time till 1878, no regular services were held, though missionary services were held often. Since 1878, Father Casimirus, of the Franciscans, had been in charge. In 1878 a convent was established, in connection with the church, under charge of Superior Sister Louise: every new year a new sister takes charge. By the end of the year, (1881), a school-house will be finished and will be under charge of the sisters. The Catholic cemetery is near the church. This church has a large congregation, its seats are always full, people coming from all the islands and surrounding country to attend. They have also a school at Buffalo Bay Indian Reservation.

Saw-Mills—First saw-mill was built in 1856, by Mr. Kahoe, for the Bayfield Land Company. It was burned January, 1857. It was rebuilt by Mr. Kahoe in the Summer of 1858. After changing hands several times it was pulled down. Capt. R.D. Pike built a shingle mill in 1869; additions were made in 1879, and since then other improvements have been made, at different times, so that now it is one of the most complete saw-mills in northern Wisconsin; has the best of improved machinery, some of the machinery being Mr. Pike’s own patents. Manufactures some fish barrel staves. Capacity of mill 40,000 feet per day, for seasons 4,500,000 feet. Most of the logs come from Bayfield County. Shipment goes mostly to Chicago and the Manitoba country. The mill has a dock up to which the largest boats on the lakes can float. Mr. Pike has his own water-works, having a reservoir on the hill above the mill getting a head of fifty-eight feet fall, enough to throw a large stream over the mill at its highest point. Pipes are run along over roof of the mill, and at the opening of a valve the whole roof can be flooded.

Superior Lake Company was organized in 1881 for the purpose of manufacturing lumber. The mill will probably be located at some point on Chequamegon Bay. The offices are A. C. Fuller, president; H.M. Fuller, vice-president; T.J. Potter, treasurer; J. H. Knight, secretary.

Fish Creek Booming Company was organized in 1881 for the improvement of Fish Creek. The officers are A. C. Fuller, president; R. F. Sprague, vice-president; I.H. Wing, treasurer; John H. Knight, secretary.

Fishery—In 1871, the fish business began to assume large proportions, when N. & F. Boutin engaged in it. They have continued every since. The catching and packing of fish is one of the great industries of Bayfield. It is estimated the business for 1881 will amount to $250,000, and is the largest shipping point on the lakes. White fish and trout are caught. Fishing is done with gill nets, trap nets, and seines, by white men and mixed bloods; in Winter by gill nets, and hooks through the ice. The “catch” in the Winter amounts to 150 tons. The fishing grounds are around the islands. Shipment goes mostly to St. Paul, Minneapolis, Chicago, Buffalo and Eastern trade. N. & F. Boutin employ about 150 men; ship about 12,000 barrels a season. Fred Fischer employs about thirty men; puts up about 4,000 barrels. Other parties have been engaged in this business but are now out of it.

In 1871, the fish business becoming so large, and the demand for fish barrels increasing, Louis Bachand started a factory for the manufacture of fish barrels, since which time others have gone into it. The timber for the barrels comes from the surrounding country. Louis Bachand employs about thirty men, and his manufacture for the season amounts to 12,000 barrels. Fred Fischer employs about twenty men, and manufactures about 10,000 barrels a season.

Boat Building—This branch of business is carried on quite extensively, a large number of “Mackinaw” boats being built every year, mostly for fishing purposes. Antoine Lemorieux is the principal builder.

Bayfield Press—The first paper published in this place was the Mercury, in August, 1857, by Hamilton & Hatch, who received a bonus from the Bayfield Land Company composed of Hon. H.M. Rice, St Paul, Minn.; H. B. Sweeny, B. F. and C. E. Rittenhouse, and Hamilton G. Fault, banker at Washington, D.C. This paper was published about one year. The next newspaper enterprise was the Bayfield Press, which made its appearance October 1, 1859, by Joseph H. Campbell, of Ontonagon, with Rev. Wm. B. McKee, editor, assisted by Joseph McCloud and Cyrus K. Drew, which was published about two years and a half, when it was suspended, and the material purchased by S.S. Vaughn. In the summer of 1870, Sam S. and Hank O. Fifield revived the Press, and continued its publication about two years, when it was removed to Ashland, June 1, 1877. Sam S. Fifield moved the office back, and commenced the publication of the Bayfield press again, with Morris Edwards as business manager. In the Spring of 1879, D. L. Stinchfield became editor, and conducted it until April 1, 1880, when the present proprietor, Isaac H. Wing, purchased the office from Sam S. Fifield. Mr. Stinchfield continued as editor till Spring of 1881, when D. H. Pulcifer came in.
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November 30, 1857, the Bayfield Lyceum was organized, with the following officers: J. Harvey Nourse, president; William McAboy, vice-president; A. Tate, secretary; S.S. Vaughn, treasurer. The society used to meet every week, when debate and reading essays would be the order of an evening. The society continued till it was merged into the Bayfield Library Association, March 9, 1875, with the following officers: J. H. Knight, president; B. B. Wade, secretary; Andrew Tate, treasurer. This new society flourished, till some of its members going away, it became reduced in membership so that now no meetings are held. Of the original members in the Lyceum only five remain here—J. H. Nourse, R.D. Pike, Andrew Tate, George Stark and Joseph McCloud.

Bayfield Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No. 215, was chartered June 14, 1881, with the following charter members: Robert Inglis, S.E. Mahan, O. Flanders, P. W. Smith, A.O. Haywood, John Banfill, A. Tate. The officers installed June 24 were: Robert Inglis, W. M.; S. E. Mahan, S. W.; O. Flanders, J. W.; A. Tate, treasurer; N.J. Wiley, secretary; P. W. Smith, S.D.; F. W. Herrick, J.D.; Thomas Doherty, tyler.

On January 1, 1873, Sheriff Nelson Boutin, Capt. R.D. Pike and a party of seventy-five chosen men went over to Ashland as a company to quell the railroad rioters. After stopping there ten days they returned. Having had this little of military life, they conceived the idea of forming a new military company organized February 25, 1873, with the following officers: R.D. Pike, captain; John Gonyon, first lieutenant; Duffy Boutin, second lieutenant. These officers have continued to date, with the exception of second lieutenant. Duffy Boutin resigned in 1878, and B. B. Wade was elected to fill the vacancy. He resigned in 1879, and F. M. Herrick was elected, who is the present second lieutenant.

Bayfield Hydraulic Company was incorporated March 16, 1870. First officers were: S.S. Vaughn, president; Asaph Whittlesey, secretary; John Banfill, treasurer; T. J. L. Tyler, superintendent. The company built a reservoir about the village, on a small stream that runs down a deep ravine through the village. This stream is supplied with springs that line the ravine for a long distance. The company have exclusive control of the water for ten miles. By damming at the reservoir they get ninety-eight feet head. Mains made of logwood pipes and other small pipes have been laid throughout the village, giving all an opportunity to have fountains and pure spring water at a moderate rate by a system of water tax. The whole is one of the finest natural water-works in the country. The present officers are: Andrew Tate, president; B. B. Wade, secretary; Isaac H. Wing, treasurer; P. W. Smith, superintendent.

Bayfield & Ashland Telegraph & Telephone Company was incorporated in 1880, with a paid up capital stock of $1,500. The building of the line commenced in 1880, and was finished by October the same year. The line is about twenty-six miles long, and telephone connection is made between Ashland and Bayfield. The officers are: R.D. Pike, president; Frederick Fischer, vice-president; I. H. Wing, treasurer; S.E. Mahan, secretary; J. H. Knight, superintendent.

The La Pointe Indian Agency was located at Bayfield in May, 1860, Col. Cyrus Drew, Indian Agent. Prior to removal it was at Superior. Col. Drew was succeeded by Asaph Whittlesey, who was succeeded by Col. John H. Knight, when Gen. L. E. Webb came in. He was succeeded by the present agent, W. R. Durfee.

United States Land-office was established at Superior in 1853. It was removed to Bayfield in 1860. The district was set off from the Willow River district in 1853, and comprises all of that part of Wisconsin lying north of north line of Town 40 and west of the west line of Range 2 east. George Hyer was the first Register, following by Daniel Shaw, who was succeeded by William McAboy. In June, 1861, F. W. Bartlett came in, who held till April, 1871, Col. John H. Knight came in, who had held every since. First Receiver was E. B. Dean, who was succeeded by T. Rush Spencer in 1858. He was succeeded by Benjamin Thompson, July 1, 1860. In the Fall of the same year Asaph Whittlesey was appointed and held till the Fall of 1868, when Joseph H. Nourse was commissioned. He held till 1872, when the present Receiver, Isaac H. Wing, came in.

Smith’s Hotel was built by Resau & Bono in 1856; was opened by Mr. Bono. It was then called the Bayfield Exchange. It was bought in 1862 by P. W. Smith, the present proprietor. The building has been improved, and several additions made at different times. It has a capacity for sixty people; has a large dining-room with a seating capacity of seventy. It is a two story frame, in the shape of a letter L, 90x75 feet, with a verandah running around in front.

The Fountain House was built, not as a hotel, in 1856, by Antoine Bardon, who first occupied it. It was not opened as a hotel until 1877, which was by John B. Bono, the present proprietor.

The Lake View House is a large boarding-house. There are numerous other boarding-houses, public and private.

CABLE

This is a little place in the southern part of the county, below Long Lake, the present terminus of the northern division of the C., St. P.M. & D.R.R. The post-office is called Gunderson.

Washburn History (1913)
Milwaukee Free Press (24 Jan. 1913) Submitted by Diana Heser Morse

WASHBURN—Washburn, a flourishing city of 4,500 population is located on the north shore of Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior. It is the county seat of Bayfield county and the largest city in the county.

Washburn is perhaps one of the oldest points in the state, this territory being reached by the first missionaries who came to the region in the early eighteenth century. The city was not started until 1852 when the C., St. P., M. & O. railway built its line. During the early days Washburn had a very rapid growth, built up largely on the lumbering industry.
The population jumped to over 6,000, but as usually with lumbering towns, slumped
again to less than 4,000. During the past five years the growth started again on a more substantial basis.

Washburn's leading industry is the dynamite plant of the DePont de Nemoures Powder company located four and a half miles south of the city. This company employes from 200 to 300 men year around, the men going from this city by special train every morning, returning in the evening.

Washburn also has two large saw mills and a box factory plant. The mills run night and day during the summer months, employing over 300 men, while the box factory plant operates the year round; giving employment to over 100. The mills are the Stearns Lumber company plant and the plant of the M. H. Sprague Lumber company. The box factory is the first plant established by the Kenfield-Lamoreaux company.

Washburn also has the large coal docks of the Northwestern Fuel company and the merchandise dock of the Omaha railway. Stone quarries are also located north of the city but these have not been operated for some years, although the quarries contain as fine a deposit of brown sand stone as is to be found in the country. It is the hope of the people here that the industry will be revived.

The city is located in the center of a fine agricultural country. The farming started to open up only about ten years ago and has made a wonderful growth. Today fine farms are to be found in every direction. The chief crops will eventually be fruit for large commercial orchards are being opened up in all directions by men of means. The region around Chequamegon bay is so tempered by the water of the lake that the seasons are most
ideal for the growing of fruits, grains, grasses and vegetables. According to government reports the district surrounding this city has a longer growing season than Sioux City, Iowa, or any point in southern Wisconsin.

Last season over sixty-five car loads of strawberries were shipped from the Washburn-Bayfield district. A co-operative warehouse has been erected in this city where the produce of the farm and orchard will be handled for the farmer and fruit grower. Within five years many of the commercial orchards will have come into bearing and this will mean thousands of dollars season for the farmers and fruit growers, all of which will go to build up the city.

Two railroads enter this city, being the c., St. P., M. & O. and the Northern Pacific. There is also talk of the Soo Railroad building from Superior to connect with Its line at Ashland.

Washburn has fine school buildings, they Walker High school building being constructed of Bayfield county sand stone at a cost of nearly $75,000. There is also the Garfield school, the Pioneer school and the Lincoln school, all fine buildings, the Garfield being the last constructed.

The court house building is also one of the finest in northern Wisconsin. It too, is constructed of Bayfield brown sand stone. Other public building are the Carnegie Public library, erected at a cost of $18,000, the city hall building costing $22,000 and the town hall building, a brick structure.

The city government is in the charge of twelve aldermen and a mayor. It is conducted as economically as any city in the state.

In churches almost all denominations are represented. There is the Catholic, Congregational, Methodist, Episcopal, Norwegian, Lutheran, German Lutheran, Swedish Lutheran, Norwegian Methodist, and Mission. The Catholic church is the most largely attended, followed closely by the Congregational and Norwegian Lutheran.

Washburn is a city of man fine residences.

The city has a Commerical club, two live newspapers, many mercantile establishments, two banks, a farmer's warehouse, and many other establishments.

Of the men who have been prominent in the upbuilding of the city many might be mentioned, among them being D. M. Maxey, vice-president of the Bayfield County bank, president of the Washburn Water company and president of the Washburn Commercial club; M. A. Sprague, president of the Northern State bank and the Washburn Electric Light and Power company; L. N. Clausen, present city clerk; William Olson, D. W. Corning, O. A. Lamoreaux, president of the Kenfield-Lamoreaux company, John Walsh, E. C. Stevens, W. H. Irish, Nels Nelson and others.

Washburn has one undeveloped public park, large picnic grounds and excellent driveways leading in all directions from the city.

The scenery is most beautiful, particularly along the lake shore. Here the numerous caves, rock ledges, and waterfalls form a most magnificent sight. Then the Apostle Islands, the most beautiful and picturesque in the United States, as well as the most historical are also located within two miles distance.

Every season hundred of tourists flock to this point. Hay fever patients also find great relief in this section.