Northern Wisconsin Articles

North Central WI Region Profile

Minocqua, located in the northwest corner of Oneida County, was organized and obtained Township status on March 13, 1889. Minocqua has an approximate year-round population of 4,821, and is the largest township in the northern half of the country. Minocqua's major industry is tourism and the population nearly quadruples in the summer months. The name Minocqua is said to be derived from the Chippewa Indian word "Ninocqua," meaning "noon-day rest."  The island is believed to have been the area Native Americans camped at during their travels.  Other legends say the name came from Chippewa Indian Chief Noc Wib or Minocquip, who lived on the island with his followers.

Minocqua's history is steeped in logging lore. When Wisconsin was young, over 90 percent of the region was covered with virgin, centuries old trees. Many would-be lumberjacks flooded the region looking to make their fortunes harvesting the trees from the seemingly inexhaustible forests. Logging boom towns were cropping up everywhere, but in 1887 when four of the major railroads at the time (Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad) forged into the state, it was Minocqua's predecessor, Maniwaki, that emerged as the dominant logging town.

By the turn of the century, nearly all of the hardwood forests had been harvested. Still, Maniwaki continued to thrive. The town consisted of 29 saloons, two hotels, two general stores, a market and about 15 homes. As the lumber industry dwindled, the resort industry began and the railroads were used to bring hundreds of visitors eager to pursue the plentiful fish that swam in Lake Minocqua and the surrounding lakes. A "Fisherman's Special" weekend excursion was established and the Northwoods Hiawatha brought up eager fishermen during the week.

Businesses prospered as more and more people found the area a delightful place to live, but in 1912 a devastating fire leveled most of them. The fire started at the Lakeside Hotel at the corner of Front and Flambeau streets, across from today's post office.  A group of men tried to stop the fire by setting dynamite, but their plan failed and 14 buildings burned to the ground including the Lakeside Hotel, a general store, meat market, restaurant and the opera house.  The estimated damages were $110,000 a staggering amount in those days.  Some of the business owners rebuilt at their former sites, but most of the regrowth was on Oneida Street, the main street of town today.  Many of the later buildings remain today and blue historical signs are posted in front of those buildings.  Others have been remodeled, but are all remnants of the early days of Maniwaki. 

Today, Minocqua is a flourishing tourist destination, with a variety of accommodations, attractions and activities that keep visitors coming back for more. It is also located near one of the largest concentrations of freshwater in the world, making for many outdoor recreational opportunities all year round.

With over 3,200 lakes and streams, Minocqua provides its visitors with almost unlimited possibilities when it comes to water recreation. From water skiing to tubing, swimming to sailing, you can do it all and with plenty of public boat launches located all around the lakes you'll be on the water in no time. Anglers will enjoy cruising the clear waters filled with walleye, musky, pike and pan fish. And the fishing fun doesn't stop in the winter time. Be sure to wear your warmest clothes and fill a thermos full of coffee because when the lakes freeze over, that's when the ice fishing season starts. 

 

For Lakeshoredreams.com, the counties grouped in North Central WI include;

Iron County WI, Vilas County WI, Price County WI, Oneida County WI, Lincoln County WI, partially Langlade County WI


 

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