Knox House  ~ Finnish Immigrant Monument

Knox Creek Heritage Center  ~ Yesterday House & Liberty School

Prentice History Walk   ~ Price County Parks

Timm's Hill County Park

Highest Point in Wisconsin (1951.5 ft) | County C and Highway 86, east of Ogema.

Timm's Hill, the highest geographical point in Wisconsin, is nestled in the southeastern part of Price County near Ogema. At 1951.5 feet above sea level, the Hill and its accompanying park offer many scenic and recreational opportunities.

The park is bordered by Timm's Lake to the north and Bass Lake to the south. Both springfed lakes exceed depths of 30 feet. A public fishing pier and beach are located on Bass Lake. Both lakes boast bass and panfish.

Timm's Hill County Park is forested mainly with sugar maple, ash, basswood, and white birch. A truly spectacular show of color can be seen in September and October.

The park's facilities include an observation tower, walking and cross country ski trails, picnic shelter, playground, well and toilets. A monument to early area settlers is located near the parking area.

Snowmobile trails run adjacent to the park and county recommended bike and auto tours pass through the park. The Timm's Hill Trail, a non-motorized connecting trail to the famed Ice Age Trail system, can be accessed within the park.

Wisconsin Concrete County Park

Concrete Sculptures by folk artist Fred Smith | N8236 South Hwy 13, one mile south of Phillips. Open year-round 24/7, best seen during daylight hours. Donations appreciated!

In 1950, at age 65, Price County native Fred Smith began construction of what is known today as Wisconsin Concrete Park. Smith, a lumberjack, tavern owner, farmer, and dance hall musician, created over 200 figures depicting his vision of the local culture and the world. His work is considered one of America's most unique displays of folk art.

Smith built his figures on wooden frames wrapped with mink wire. He covered them with hand-mixed cement and decorated them with a variety of broken glass and found objects. He often accepted tourists' donations of glass objects for his creations.

Smith's characters came from local legend and personal acquaintances as well as legendary heroes. Some of his most widely recognized statues include Ben Hur, the Lincolns, Sacajawea, and Paul Bunyan.

Shortly after Fred Smith's death in 1976, the Wisconsin Concrete Park was purchased by the Kohler Foundation and later gifted to Price County. The park is maintained and promoted by the Price County Forestry & Parks and Tourism departments with assistance from the Friends of Fred Smith, Inc., with restorative efforts continuing on a regular basis. Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Countryside Artists' Gallery & Gifts, 715-339-6475, is located in the Historic Smith House at the Wisconsin Concrete Park.  The gallery will be open in 2009 daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 22 through October 31 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. November 1 through December 20th. Merchandise includes park souvenirs, Christmas decor, paintings, pottery, antiques, florals, sculptures, crocheting, knitting, specialty foods, clothing, quilting, and other craft items.

Old Town Hall Museum

Price County Historical Society | Highway 13 in Fifield.

The old Fifield Town Hall served as a government building from 1894 until 1967. It had been built to replace the original hall that was lost in the fire of 1893. That fire destroyed the business district of Fifield. The large upstairs hall that held town meetings also hosted a variety of local social gatherings as well. The lower floor held the town government offices.

Today, this unique building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses artifacts from the logging days of Price County from 1879 through the 1930's. Exhibits include logging tools, camp artifacts, railroad memorabilia, a Victorian period living room and kitchen, a collection of household and personal items and changing exhibits. A gift shop offers books about local and northern Wisconsin history and life.

The Old Town Hall Museum is open June through Labor Day on Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. There is no admission charge.  For more information or tour reservations, write PCHS, P.O. Box 156, Fifield, WI  54524 or call 715-339-2254 or 762-2559.

Jump River Valley Historical Museum

The Jump River Town Hall Museum in Catawba, run by the Jump River Historical Society, allows one to take a step back in time.  Items on display tell the story of Price County from our origin in 1879. 

The Jump River Valley Historical Society was formed in 1993 to save the historic Catawba Town Hall from demolition.  The society wished to have the hall serve the community again.

The museum's upper floor offers exhibits on homemaking, schooling, logging, farming, businesses and other aspects of life dating back to the late 1800's.  A quilt made by the first Price County Homemakers club and a unique stage curtain of 1950 Kennan business advertisements are featured.  "Homespun Musicians", the history of Prentice and a rural schoolroom are included.  The lower floor is being prepared for more displays and storage.  The building is handicap accessible.

You are invited to the annual "All Schools Reunion" the second Saturday of June with a potluck noon meal and time to reminisce.

The museum is open June through August on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tours are available by appointment during summer months.  There is no admission charged.  For appointments, write JRVHS, P.O. Box 104, Catawba, WI  54515 or call 715-339-2642, 474-6775 or 474-3463. 

Smith Rapids Covered Bridge

Town Lattice covered bridge. | Highway 70 east to Forest Road 148,. east of Fifield.

The Smith Rapids Covered Bridge is the only glue-laminated Town Lattice covered bridge in Wisconsin" Constructed in 1991, the bridge uses an attractive diamond-shaped truss pattern, called the Town Lattice. The pattern was patented in the 1820's by its designer, Ithiel Town.

The bridge passes over the South Fork of the Flambeau River, a ..popular destination for canoe enthusiasts. Adjacent to the bridge is the Chequamegaon-Nicolet National Forest's Smith Rapids Campground. This rustic campground features equestrian sites for visitors to enjoy the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest River Saddle Trail on horseback. Snowmobilers can access the bridge off of Price County Snowmobile Trail #101. The Smith Rapids Covered Bridge is an excellent scenic backdrop which allows snowmobilers to snap memorable photographs of their ride.

The bridge is located on a 13-mile loop of road that was designated as one of Wisconsin's newest Rustic Roads in October 2007. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel travel writer Dennis McCann traveled the route and described the Rustic Road as covering all things beautiful. To view the article click here .

For more information, contact the Park Falls District Ranger, USDA Forest SErvice, 1170 4th Avenue South, Park Falls, WI  54552, 715-762-2461.

Big Falls County Park

County park and campground | County N to Wolf Creek Road, south of Kennan

This scenic river-edge park is located along the South Fork of the Jump River. Flanked by tall white and red pine, the Jump River cascades around huge granite rocks and provides visitors with a wild river environment. The park's facilities include a campground, picnic area, children's play area, swimming area and hiking trails.

Solberg Lake County Park

County park and campground | Old 13 Road to West Solberg Lake Road, northeast of Phillips

A premier northwoods campground and day-use park located on a 35-acre peninsula extending into Solberg Lake. This 45 unit campground accommodates RV's, trailers and tents. Solberg Lake is perfect for fishing, water skiing and swimming.

Round Lake Logging Dam

Restoration of 1878 logging dam | Highway 70 east to Forest Road 144, Pike Lake Region

The Round Lake Logging Dam is one of the last remaining structures of its kind in Wisconsin. It stands as testimony to Wisconsin's lumber boom of the 1800's.

Originally constructed in 1878, the wood dam was the site of numerous spring log drives. During the winter months lumberjacks cut huge timbers and hauled them via ice roads upon horse-drawn sleighs to Round Lake for storage. In the spring the dam was opened and the logs were sluiced through the dam on their long journey to sawmills along the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers.

In 1992, restoration and reconstruction of the dam began with assistance from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Friends of the Round Lake Logging Dam, the Price County Historical Society, and numerous volunteers. The dam was carefully dismantled and information was recorded to serve as a basis for restoration plans. In 1995, the dam was completely rebuilt using the historic timbers and original iron hardware. Only the most deteriorated or missing materials were completely replaced.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Round Lake Logging Dam allows visitors to acquire a sense of what logging dams were like during the long past era of lumberjacks and river men.

The logging dam is located on a 13-mile loop of road that was designated as one of Wisconsin's newest Rustic Roads in October 2007. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel travel writer Dennis McCann traveled the route and described the Rustic Road as covering all things beautiful. To view the article click here .

For more information about the Round Lake Logging Dam or other recreational opportunities in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, contact the forest headquarters - Park Falls Ranger District, 1170 4th Avenue South, Park Falls, WI  54552, 715-762-2461, TTY 715-762-5701, or fax 715-762-5179.

Lidice Memorial

Monument in memory of Lidice, Czechoslovakia | Sokol Park, Fifield and Ash Streets, Phillips

The large settlement of Czech, Slovak and Moravian people in Phillips wept for Lidice, Czechoslovakia and her brave citizens who suffered and perished at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. The monument was completed and dedicated in 1944. A memorial service is held yearly the third weekend in June in conjunction with a celebration of history and culture during the Phillips Czechoslovakian Community Festival.

VFW War Memorial Plane

Railroad and South Streets, Prentice

Veteran's Memorial Eagle

Civil War mascot statue | Highway 13, Park Falls

In the spring of 1861 Old Abe, mascot and vanguard of Co. C of the Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War was captured by a young Indian brave, known as Chief Sky, on the shores of the Flambeau River. Chief Sky kept the eagle for several weeks before selling it for a half bushel of corn. In August 1861 the eagle was acquired by S. M. Jeffers who presented it to Co. C of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry. The men of the company named him "Old Abe" for their Commander-in-Chief, President Lincoln. Old Abe was carried into 22 battles and 30 skirmishes - being wounded 3 times in the process. Old Abe is not a ledged, he learned commands and led the men who loved him into battle.

Park Falls Paper Mill Main Office

National Register of Historic Places | North First Street, Downtown, Park Falls

The 1920's were prosperous years for the Flambeau Paper Mill, as they were for all the area mills. In 1929, the company completed its red brick headquarters with a distinctive main section and clock tower. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to the Fraser Paper Company offices.

Fifield Fire Tower

National Register of Historic Places | Hwy 70, 5 miles east of Fifield

The Fifield Tower was constructed in 1932, a time when wildfires raged across the "cutover" landscape of northern Wisconsin. It served as an observation point, staffed by lookouts, that was part of a broader fire detection and suppression system. There were once 38 of towers within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, though today only nine remain standing. The Forest Service is committed to the preservation of this tower, and it is one of two that will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2006).

As a means of recording historical events that relate to the tower, the Forest Service recently completed an oral history project. The oral history features the stories of two early fire lookouts from Fifield, a brother and sister, Manny Stein and Betty (Stein) Murnik. Interpretive panels have been developed and placed on-site that tell the story of the Fifield Tower.

The tower is a short hike, 250 yards, from the Wintergreen Trailhead parking lot. The trailhead serves Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest visitors that are hiking, biking, cross county skiing, snowmobiling, and ATVing. The trailhead has ample parking, chalet, drinking water and rustic toilets. A parking fee or national forest sticker is required. Contact the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest for information, 715-762-2461.

Fifield Post Office

National Register of Historic Places, downtown Fifield

Park Falls Post Office

National Register of Historic Places | North 1st Street, Downtown, Park Falls

The Park Falls Federal Building was constructed in 1936, and housed the post office in addition to offices for the newly-designated Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and other smaller federal agencies. A 1930's Works Projects Administration (WPA) mural for the lobby of the post office was painted by Madison artist John Watrous. Visitors can still enjoy the unusual mural depicting a river fight among river drivers on the Flambeau River.

Prentice Co-op Creamery Co.

National Register of Historic Places, Town Street at Multi-Tek Inc. site, Prentice

Little Falls/Slough Gundy

Located in the Flambeau River State Forest, this is a great spot for a picnic, fishing or viewing the rugged whitewater of the South Fork of the Flambeau River.  Long before arriving at the river's edge, the roaring rapids can be heard in the distance.  But best of all is the spectacular sight of huge boulders and rushing water with the peaceful elegance of a pine forest in the background.  There is a path from the parking lot to the river's edge. From downtown Phillips, take County Road W west about 20 miles to County Road M.  There is a sign on County Road M at the parking lot. 

Knox House

The Matt Johnson House, constructed in 1898, is a fine example of a dovetail log home. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This monument is affiliated with the Knox Creek Heritage Center, Brantwood.

Finnish Immigrant Monument

Dedicated in 1990 to Finnish settlers who immigrated at the turn of the century. This monument is affiliated with the Knox Creek Heritage Center, Brantwood.

Knox Creek Heritage Center

Logging camp display |Highway 8 east to West Knox Road, Brantwood region.

The Knox Creek Heritage Center, an affiliate of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, is composed of five buildings (a turn-of-the-century farmstead) representing several ethnic groups in southeastern Price County:  the Main Farm House, circa 1900, a summer kitchen building, the Keto House (depicts a typical logging camp from the 1800's, complete with kitchen and bunk room), circa 1900, Spirit Baptist Church, circa 1890, the Waahto Sauna built in the early 1900s, moved to the site and restored, and a pole shed.  All the buildings on the site are used to display artifacts, documents, photographs, and other memorabilia that represent the cultural, ethnic, and historical aspect of past eras.

The nearby Brantwood Memorial Grove is a living memorial in honor of those who settled Brantwood. The site of the grove is the heart of historic old Brantwood, more specifically, the site of the Brantwood garage and blacksmith shop built in 1919 by Carl J. Sandquist. The grove is a work in progress.

Four ethnically themed events are held each year.  A St. Patrick's/St. Urho's corned beef and cabbage dinner is held in March; a Scandinavian Mid-Summer celebration in June; A Country Afternoon in September; and a Finnish Independence Day Dinner in December.

The center is open by appointment.  For more information or to make an appointment, write KCHC, N4517 West Knox Road Brantwood, WI  54513, e-mail paulsyl@centurytel.net, or call 715-564-2520 or 564-2525.

Yesterday House & Liberty School

Yesterday House is a log house that was built in 1886 and Liberty School was built 1919.  The buildings are located in Spirit, east of Ogema on Hwy. 86, then south on 102, and east on YY to N894 German Settlement Road. They are overseen by German Settlement History, Inc.  A Barn Dance fundraiser is held the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and an open house is held Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend.  Tours are available at other times by appointment.   The president of the organization lives on the property during the summer and can be reached at 715-564-3299.  At other times, call 564-3340.

Spirit Memorial Park

Located on River Road off Hwy. 86 in the Town of Spirit, the park includes a monument which is a replica of the North Fork Spirit Bridge, a double arch bridge built in 1910 over the North Fork of the Spirit River, which was dismanteled and the face stones saved to erect a monument to be recommended for inclusion in the national historic registry. There are two picnic shelters, family-sized grills, a playground, a privy, and a Native Plant Garden designed by local environmental science educator and native plant advocate Quan Banh. Improvements planned for 2010 include a foot bridge and hiking access to the Spirit River. The park is also a geocach location. For more information, contact German Settlement History, Inc., gshi@wildblue.net.

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