Historic Sites and Sights of Mercer (Tour)

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Downtown Mercer

Historic Site in the Town of Mercer

Mercer Library-WPA Library and Community Building

Celebrations and events have been held and hosted in the Mercer Community Center for almost 80 years. The Mercer Community Center building was constructed in 1936-1939 by a team of skilled Finnish Craftsmen and other WPA workers. It housed a room for the library on the side of a larger Community Room. The structure was made out of logs and built by skilled Finnish WPA Workers. A remodel was done in the 1990s then in the early 2000s another remodel was done to expand the library to the buildings current foot print. The Community Center and original library room still remain.

The Northern Hotel

Once the railroad depot was built in 1906 and fully operational it wasn't long before the area around it developed as well. One of the earliest establishments built to take advantage of the newfound interconnectivity was The Northern Hotel. The establishment was built in 1905 by George Richardson and then sold to Earl Short around 1913. This was one of the first hotels and taverns in Mercer. It was built across the rail from the depot, located at a perfect spot to serve lumberjacks, visitors, tourists and businessmen. The Northern, like many old wooden structures, was eventually destroyed by fire in 1929.

The Mercer Railroad Depot

Railroad lines reach the UP and Northern Wisconsin in the 1870s. Lumber and mining companies used them to move and ship their products as well as supply their operations. The first rail lines connected lumber and mining centers to larger cities and ports. Smaller railroad lines were built into the woods to staging areas where the raw unprocessed timber could then be loaded up and taken to mills.The original railroad in Mercer served the lumber interests in the area. Moving lumber as previously mentioned was its main purpose. The railroad also supplied the lumber company and other private interests with commodities needed for operating businesses and settling homesteads.

Billys Bar

The Capone family had many strong ties to the Mercer area. Al and Ralph Capone enjoyed visiting, it was a place where they could unwind and relax without worrying about law enforcement or rivals. Billy’s Bar was one of Mercer’s many establishments with ties to the Capone Family and the outfit from Chicago. The tavern served drinks and entertainment to locals and visitors to the Mercer area. Officially owned by Billy Goodreau, it was managed by Ralph Capone into the 1950s. Billy Goodreau also owner an establishment in Mercer during and after Prohibition. In the 1980’s the building suffered a fire and was demolished.

Site of Mercers First School/The Little Green Schoolhouse

As industry developed small communities sprung up around sawmills, lumber camps and railroad stops. Some of these places grew into the modern communities we know today, others disappeared with time. One of the very first institutions to be established in these communities was usually a school. This location is the site of the first school to be built in Mercer, know as "The Little Green Schoolhouse" due to its small size and unique color. It was overseen by Charles Moffit, an early pioneer and educator. It ran from 1894 until 1914 when another school was constructed to better suit the growing population.

Historic Sites in the Greater Mercer Area

6 Pause Portage

6 Pause Portage was a 2.5-mile portage that linked the Manitowish River to Mercer Lake and the Turtle River. Historically, 6 Pause Portage was an important leg of the journey from Lake Superior to fur trade posts in Lac du Flambeau. Indigenous communities like the Ojibwe used this route for thousands of years. By the early 18th century, fur traders hauling over this route required 6 pauses. Portage distances were measured by "pauses," which were rests taken by travelers while completing the overland journey. A pause was usually a predetermined place between six hundred yards and a half-mile apart. The more difficult the terrain, the shorter the distance to the next pause. Voyageurs often hauled numerous packs of furs or supplies on a portage. To accommodate the protection of packs and moving all goods, voyageurs would carry one or two packs to the pause, dump the packs, return to the previous pause, and repeat the process. This back-and-forth portaging was grueling, especially in difficult swamps. Since 6 Pause portage was a choke point of travel, the portage road was well worn. 19th century journals of travelers to the Northwoods often commented on the challenge posed by the 6 Pause Portage Swamp.In 1804, Northwest fur trader Victor Malhiot stated:"...I will begin by saying that of all the spots and places I have seen in my thirteen years’ of travels, this is the most horrid and most sterile. The Portage road is truly that to heaven because it is narrow, full of overturned trees, obstacles, thorns, and muskegs. Men who go over it loaded and who are obliged to carry baggage over it, certainly deserve to be called "men." This vile portage is inhabited solely by owls, because no other animal could find a living there, and the hoots of those solitary birds are enough to frighten an angel or intimidate a Caesar."It is illegal to dig or take artifacts on public lands without a permit from the DNR Archaeologist and State Archaeologist. 6 Pause Portage and other cultural sites like the Manitowish River ice road are even more protected because they are recorded on the Wisconsin Archaeological Site Inventory. Observing, taking photos and sharing stories around the logging ice road are encouraged.The first three-quarters of a mile of 6 Pause Portage is on public land and can be accessed by river or by Murray Landing Road. Heading north from the Manitowish River, section 7 is all public land. North of section 7 into section 6 is all private land and should be respected. The river landing for 6 Pause portage is the same as the ice road and is marked by buckthorn growing along the riverbank on a sharp oxbow in the stream.Those who wish to hike the 6 Pause Portage on a guided tour should check the events calendar at the North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC). A link for the NLDC events calendar is provided below. The hike needs to be during winter and is about two miles. Snowshoes and hiking poles are often needed to navigate the swampy areas which will be frozen, just like the historic ice road.

Camp Mercer 660th Company S-79, a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

Camp Mercer or 660th Company S-79 operated along the banks of the Manitowish River from 1933-1942. Camp Mercer utilized the rail depot at Manitowish, Wisconsin to logistically support the development and maintenance of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp one mile west of the Iron and Vilas county line. 660th Company stands out as a larger regional administrative CCC camp. Historically, some area residents confused the site of the North Lakeland Discovery Center as the site for CCC Company 660th. The Youth Conservation Camp, known as Statehouse Lake in Manitowish Waters, was created in 1962 as a separate state program, with a mission that paralleled that of the earlier CCC.A trail features 23 interpretive signs, and a 3.5 mile hike will guide visitors through Camp Mercer and other cultural sites. Check web links below for further details. Paper trail maps are available at the trailhead, bike trail bridge, and trail gate by the Highway 51 wayside.It is illegal to dig or take artifacts on public lands without a permit from the DNR Archaeologist and State Archaeologist. Camp Mercer and other cultural sites like logging camps are even more protected because they are recorded on the Wisconsin Archaeological Site Inventory. Observing, taking photos and sharing stories around Camp Mercer are encouraged.

River Drive Logging Camps

Two different river drive logging camps are located along the Camp Mercer Interpretive Trail. Logging camps are marked on the trail map as signs 21 and 25. The LaPorte logging camp is located at sign 21. The LaPortes were among the earliest pioneers and noted for their logging expertise. Louie LaPorte lived in the cabin after the logging job was completed in 1911. The logging camp located at number 25 has no sign because scholars are still debating the status of the camp. The camp located by number 25 is on a trail loop and very easy to identify. Sadly, some of the cabin structure and most of the blacksmith shop have been looted by modern treasure hunters. It is illegal to dig or take artifacts from public lands without a permit. Camp Mercer and other cultural sites like the logging camps are even more protected because they are recorded on the Wisconsin Archaeological Site Inventory. Observing, taking photos and sharing stories around the logging camps are encouraged.The logging camps are on public land and can be accessed by river or by the bike trail and the Manitowish River Access Road. Following the markers on the Camp Mercer Trail maps is the most efficient way to get to these sites.

Probable Moonshine Cache Sites

Two mystery features along the Camp Mercer Interpretive Trail were discovered in 2020, using LiDar imaging. These features are marked on the Camp Mercer Interpretive Trail map as 23 and 26. No interpretive signs have been created because of the ongoing scholarly debate between project historians and archaeologists. Several logging experts have reviewed these features and have no examples of comparable sites. The story that unfolds centers around Louie LaPorte, living between each of these features at the old LaPorte logging camp. LaPorte was a noted moonshiner who was indicted by a grand jury in 1924 for prohibition violations. Like many Northwoods moonshiners, LaPorte shrugged-off law enforcement trouble as an expected expense that comes with business.It is illegal to dig, disturb or move cultural artifacts on public land without a permit from the State Archaeologist. Features 23 and 26 and other cultural sites like the logging camps are also protected because they are recorded on the Wisconsin Archaeological Site Inventory. Visitors are welcome to observe, explore, take photos and share stories around the features 23 and 26.The logging camps are on public land and can be accessed by river or by the bike trail and the Manitowish River Access Road. Following the markers on the Camp Mercer Trail maps is the most efficient way to get to these sites.

This Tour is a Multi-zone Tour.

Historic Sites and Sights of Mercer

Created by Mercer Library on October 3rd 2023, 7:19:04 pm.

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Description

The Mercer Library is part of an ongoing project with the Northern Wisconsin Heritage Council. Local library staff and volunteers are involved in documenting and researching local history and presenting it in a way which the public can view and enjoy. These sites have been chosen to spotlight important and interesting historical places and events. Many can be reached on foot from the 'downtown' Mercer area, others are within a drivable distance of each other, and still others are reachable from the water. People who wish to share their own insights, knowledge or documentation are encouraged to contact the Mercer Library. Audio is of Mitch Babic from a cassette tape and given to the Mercer Area Historical Society housed in the Mercer Library.

Entries on This Tour

Historic Sites and Sights of Mercer

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