Northern Wisconsin Schools
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Description
Welcome to the Northern Wisconsin's tour of historic schools. Please explore the great communities, stories and educational institutions that defined northern Wisconsin.
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1. Manitowish School
Manitowish School was the first regional school along the Iron and Vilas county boarder. The Chicago Northwestern railroad usher families to the region and pioneer families built a school just three years after the railroad crossed the Manitowish River. Manitowish School quickly became a hub of community activities and place of community pride. As the town of Mercer grew, Manitowish School realized declining enrollment, consolidation became inevitable around World War II.Travelers can enjoy a limited view of Manitowish School by car, the Mercer Bike Trail, or paddling on the Manitowish River. Property around Manitowish School is private, and travelers can look from Highway 51 or the bike path. Private property should be respected by all travelers.
2. Winchester Library- Former Winchester State Grade School
The Winchester School was built around 1910 by the Turtle Lake Lumber Company for the benefit of their employee’s children. All materials for the building were harvested and milled locally by the lumber company. The building has two rooms, one was for the older student class room and the other for younger the school also had an outhouse behind it. It was used for over 50 years before it closed.
3. Donaldson School Historic Site
In the early 1900s, the Town of Donaldson was a bustling lumber mill town located just west of State Line (Land O' Lakes) WI. The town got its name from the Mason-Donaldson Lumber Co. of Rhinelander WI which ran a highly successful mill operation on the shore of present-day Mill Lake. The Town was comprised of company houses, a general store, boarding house, saloon, community hall, and an impressive 2-room school. The school foundation, steps and sidewalk still exist. The Donaldson School historic site is located on Land O' Lakes town property on Town Garage Rd. and is accessible during non-winter months. Interpretive signs tell the story of the Donaldson School, the Town and the Mill.
4. 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.
