The rich history of the area is on display throughout the county. From the geological formation of Lake Superior to the first Native American settlements, through the discovery by French missionaries and fur traders to the lumbering, mining and fishing industries, you’ll find a piece of history almost anywhere you look!
There are 22 sites in Bayfield County that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in America, including seven shipwrecks. Numerous local museums and historical societies serve as stewards to the natural, cultural and architectural history that is a permanent part of the ebb and flow of life. Come see, learn and experience the past through your own eyes.
1. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Exhibit
North of Bayfield off County Hwy K at Little Sand Bay • (715) 779-3397 • www.nps.gov/apis
Park staff may be available for free guided tours of a commercial fishing museum at Little Sand Bay (mainland) from late June through August.
2. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Exhibit
Raspberry Island Lighthouse • (715) 779-3397 • www.nps.gov/apis
During the summer season, Apostle Islands Cruise Service tour boats stop at the island and National Park Service rangers conduct tours of the historic tower from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
3. Bayfield Heritage Center
30 North Broad Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-5958 • www.bayfieldheritage.org
Collection and exhibits relate to the history of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands region, with focus on settlement, agriculture, logging & lumbering, transportation and tourism. Library, research materials and archives are accessible to the public.
4. Bayfield Maritime Museum
1st St. between U.S. Coast Guard Station & City Hall
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-3925 • www.apostleisland.com/BMM.htm
Hands on demonstrations, commercial fishing, boatbuilding traditions, lighthouses, sailor crafts, shipwrecks and much more!
5. Cable Namakagon Historical Museum
13405 Spruce St
Cable, WI 54821
(715) 798-5070
Located in a 1905 potato warehouse featuring tourism and Anishinaabe history of the Cable and Namakagon area.
6. Cable Natural History Museum
43570 Kavanaugh Rd
Cable, WI 54821
(715) 798-3890 • www.cablemuseum.org
The Cable Natural History Museum is a regional resource dedicated to promoting appreciation of nature, providing opportunities for natural history education, and advocating stewardship for the environment.
7. Cornucopia Historic (Green Shed) Museum
Cornucopia, WI 54827
(715) 742-3941 (715) 742-3232 • www.cornucopiawisconsin.net/?110130
Features fishing industry history of this Lake Superior waterfront community.
8. Drummond Historical Museum
14990 Superior Street
Drummond, WI 54832
(715) 739-6500 • www.drummondwi.com
The museum depicts the boom era of logging and lumbering of the stately virgin white pine.
9. Madeline Island Museum
226 Colonel Woods Ave
La Pointe, WI 54850
(715) 747-2415 • http://madelineislandmuseum.wisconsinhistory.org/
Come explore the storied past of Madeline Island and one of the richest collections of Wisconsin history.
10. Mason Depot Museum
County Hwy E
Mason, WI 54856
(715) 682-4408 (Verne Gilles)
This restored Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Pau, & Omaha Railway Depot, (circa 1883) is maintained by the Mason Area Historical Society Museum. The museum contains exhibits relating to the railroad, the White River Lumber Company, local businesses and pioneer homesteading. The archived material includes family histories, local historical information and photographs.
11. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
29270 County Hwy G
Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 685-9983 • www.northerngreatlakescenter.org/
Learn about giants on our historical frontier: women & men who explored, trapped, fished, logged, mined and farmed this rugged country!
12. Port Wing Heritage Hall
Highway 13
Port Wing, WI 54865
(715) 774-3536 (715) 774-3624 • http://portwingwi.com/?110080
Heritage Hall museum was built during Port Wing's centennial in 2001. It houses a local history resource center and lending library. The museum features local artifacts and an extensive photographic display depicting the settlement and growth of Port Wing with emphasis on the lumbering, quarrying, agriculture and commercial fishing industries.
13. Washburn Cultural Center
1 East Bayfield Street
Washburn WI 54891
(715) 373-5591 • www.washburnculturalcenter.art.officelive.com
The museum is located on the second floor of the historic Washburn Bank building, and is operated by the Washburn Area Historical Society. The museum displays many artifacts from Washburn's past, including memorabilia from businesses, industries, and residents. Newspapers, photographs, research information available.
14. Western Bayfield County Historical Museum
419 Main Street
Iron River, WI 54847
(715) 372-8792
The museum is maintained by the Western Bayfield County Historical Society, and celebrates rural life in northern Wisconsin. Newspapers and archives available in research room.
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County News
Local influenza providers are gearing up for vaccination clinics now. Predicting when flu season will start is difficult and varies from year to year, but typically influenza circulates in our area by December. Seasonal influenza vaccination is the most important way of preventing seasonal influenza virus infections and potentially severe complications, including death. Seasonal influenza vaccination reduces the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting influenza to others.
Free Radon test kits available from the Health Department.
Your business can be included on the 2012-13 Official Bayfield County ATV Map for as little as $250!
