Historic Three Lakes - The Superior Street Project

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The earliest accounts of this location tells us it began as a tiny telephone office but became another Three Lakes iconic Cy Williams building design when it was transformed into The Black Forest. It has been a beloved landmark ever since and today includes the restored Skip Wagner mural on the east side of the building,The Black Forest remains a fine food destination for both locals and visitors. The exterior of the building compliments the interior which remains true to its origins in the 1930's and invokes as many feelings as the food served inside. The Black Forest is irreplaceable as a snapshot of history.It remains a public place and deserves a stop.

2. Three Lakes Center for the Arts

This small theater has evolved from a Quonset hut, to an architectural award-winning theater, to a gift shop, and back to the beautifully rehabilitated theater it is today.The early theater, showing the latest movies, or close to the latest releases, really made Three Lakes feel like they had it all. Time changes everything of course and the little theater lost it's shine, became something else and fell into disrepair. Recognizing the historical importance and the cultural contribution the theater offered, the community rallied to bring it back.While current events are up on the marquee, a visit to the Center's website is a great way to plan a visit and check out the hours.

3. The Dobbs Building

The Dobbs building is one of Three Lakes' most iconic buildings. This building's evolution from the general store to what is now, a Century 21 and Subway, has always been important to the needs of the Three Lakes community. When people reminisce about their childhood here, the Dobbs Store is sure to come up in conversation as a pleasant memory.Discover how a tornado ravaged Three Lakes and severely damaged the building.The building remains a public place and is easily recognizable as it still stands tall on the corner in the middle of town. The top of the building still boasts the name F H Dobbs.

4. 1808 Superior Street

Back in 1880 when the town of Three Lakes was being laid out by the railroad and land developers, the first block on the north side of Main Street was divided into seven parcels with equal street frontage. Today, on the corner of Superior Street where Highway 45 heads north out of town is the hardware store at number 1812. The Kelley Law Office is at number1804, and the parcel addressed 1808 is the Rental Store portion of the hardware store.Both the hardware store and the Kelley Law Office building are true to their beginnings. It is the parcel 1808 between those two that has experienced disaster, change and disaster again.

5. Three Lakes Depot and Winery

What today is the Three Lakes Winery was once the primary way in and out of our community. In an area originally only considered valuable for lumber, the railroad companies that developed and planned the town probably didn't foresee their many impacts. During the height of logging transportation in the Northwoods, railroads were focused on suppling lumber camps and delivering logs. Importantly, some adventurous tourists also hitched a ride to Three Lakes to discover the amazing chain of lakes and a paradise for sportsmen.The last train out of the Three Lakes Depot was in 1982, marking an end of one era, and a new retail opportunity. In 1988 the Three Lakes Winery began their 30+ years of business at the old depot which now houses their tasting room.The Winery can be found at the head of Superior Street on the corner of Highway 45 and County Road A. Parking is available on site.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Historic Three Lakes - The Superior Street Project

Created by Kyle McMahon on January 9th 2022, 12:44:38 am.

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Description

Learn the history of Three Lakes main street, today known as Superior Street, and discover the stories that shaped our town and connect our community. The Superior Street Project is an undertaking using present street address numbers to make the process of historical location identification easier. This address then covers all of the buildings that have been on that site since the towns inception in 1881.The landmarks start with the C+NW depot (currently the Three Lakes Winery), and head east on Superior Street two blocks to the Black Forest. More addresses will continue to be added to this tour. There is so much to tell and reminisce!

Entries on This Tour

Historic Three Lakes - The Superior Street Project

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