National Register of Historic Places listings in Oneida County, Wisconsin facts for kids
Hey everyone! Have you ever wondered about the cool old buildings and special places in your area? In Oneida County, Wisconsin, there's a list of really important spots called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect places that are super important to history, architecture, or culture. Think of it like a VIP list for historic sites!
These places are chosen because they tell a story about the past. They might be old homes, unique buildings, or even ancient sites where people lived long ago. There are 24 of these special places right here in Oneida County. Let's explore some of them!
Contents
Historic Buildings and Homes
Many places on the list are buildings that show off interesting old designs or were important to the community.
Cool Boathouses
Oneida County has lots of lakes, so it's no surprise that many historic places are boathouses! A boathouse is a building, often right on the water, where boats are stored. Some of these are really fancy and were built a long time ago.
- Ella M. Boesel Boathouse (Minocqua): This boathouse was built in 1935 on Minocqua Lake. It has a cool style called Craftsman, which means it uses natural materials and simple designs.
- Hans J. Hagge Boathouse (Hazelhurst): Built in 1938-39, this boathouse on Lake Katherine also shows off the Craftsman style. Hans J. Hagge was a successful businessman from Wausau.
- George P. Mayer Boathouse (Three Lakes): This one was built in 1920 on Planting Ground Lake. It's a Craftsman-style boathouse with two stories, so it even had living space upstairs!
- Phillip Orth Boathouse (Minocqua): Another two-story Craftsman-style boathouse, this one was built in 1926 on Lake Minocqua.
- Reay Boathouse (Three Lakes): Built in 1928, this two-story boathouse on the Three Lakes chain also features the Craftsman style. The owner, Mr. Reay, was a top manager for a big company called International Harvester.
- Joseph and Augusta Trunck Boathouse (Three Lakes): This boathouse from 1928 on Little Fork Lake has a unique gambrel roof, which looks a bit like a barn roof.
- Luther and Anna Walter Boathouse (Minocqua): Found on Minocqua Lake, this Craftsman-style boathouse has a hip roof (slopes on all four sides) and classic clapboard siding.
- William H. Yawkey Boathouse (Hazelhurst): Built in 1917 on Lake Katherine, this two-story boathouse belonged to William H. Yawkey, who used to own the Detroit Tigers baseball team!
Important Community Buildings
These buildings played a big role in the daily lives of people in Oneida County.
- First National Bank (Rhinelander): This impressive brick bank was built in 1911. It was designed in the Prairie style, which was popular in the Midwest and features strong horizontal lines.
- Mecikalski General Store, Saloon, and Boardinghouse (Jennings): Built around 1899, this large building was a true hub! It served as a general store where people bought supplies, a saloon for drinks, and a boarding house where lumberjacks could stay. It's made from a unique style called stovewood, using logs cut like firewood.
- Oneida County Courthouse (Rhinelander): This grand three-story building was constructed between 1908 and 1910. It's designed in the Neoclassical style, which means it looks like ancient Greek or Roman buildings, with a large octagonal dome. Inside, you can find murals showing Rhinelander's history and even one of the famous mythical creature, the hodag!
- Pelican Lake Hotel (Schoepke): This two-story brick hotel was built in 1928 on Pelican Lake. It became a central gathering place for the small village.
- West Side School (Rhinelander): Built in 1928 and expanded in 1939, this school has a Collegiate Gothic style, making it look a bit like an old college building. The kindergarten classroom even has a fireplace with tiles showing fairy tale pictures! Today, it's been turned into apartments.
Private Clubs and Retreats
Some historic places were private getaways for families or groups.
- Indianapolis Outing Club (Three Lakes): This private club was built around 1902 on Planting Ground Lake by businessmen from Indiana and Kentucky. It was a place for them to relax and enjoy nature.
- Jollywood (Three Lakes): This rustic family retreat on Big Fork Lake was designed by famous baseball player Cy Williams! It was built over many years, from 1925 to 1948.
- Marshall D. Miller Boathouse (Three Lakes): This two-story boathouse on Laurel Lake was built around 1920. Marshall D. Miller was an important leader of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway.
- Three Lakes Rod and Gun Club (Three Lakes): Founded in 1899 by sportsmen, mostly from Illinois, this well-preserved private club is located on a narrow strip of land between Spirit, Medicine, and Laurel Lakes.
Historic Homes
These homes belonged to important people or show off interesting architectural styles.
- Solon and Mathilda Sutliff House (Rhinelander): This house was built in 1923 for Solon Sutliff, a businessman involved in lumber and paper. It's designed in the Italian Renaissance style, which is very fancy and inspired by old Italian palaces.
Ancient Sites and Districts
Some places on the list are much older, telling us about the first people who lived here.
- Lake Tomahawk Site (Lake Tomahawk): This site has four conical burial mounds. These mounds were built by people from the Woodland period, which was a long time ago, to bury their dead.
- McCord Village (Lynne): This was the site of a village where different Native American groups, like the Potawatomi and Ojibwe, lived from the 1890s to the 1950s. It was a community for people who lived off the main reservations.
- Tomahawk Lake Camp Historic District (Lake Tomahawk): This district includes a group of seventeen buildings that were part of a sanatorium. A sanatorium was like a hospital where people with tuberculosis (a serious lung disease) would go to get fresh air and rest in the early 1900s. Some of these buildings are in the Tudor Revival style, which looks like old English country homes.
Sites with Restricted Addresses
Some historic sites, especially archaeological ones, have their exact locations kept secret to protect them from damage or theft. This is why you'll see "Address Restricted" for some entries.
- Fishers Island (Minocqua)
- Little St. Germain Creek Site (Newbold)
- Tom 2 Site (Lake Tomahawk)
Images for kids
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The First National Bank in Rhinelander, built in 1911.
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The Mecikalski General Store, a historic hub for lumberjacks.
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The grand Oneida County Courthouse, completed in 1910.
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The Pelican Lake Hotel, a community center since 1928.
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The Solon and Mathilda Sutliff House, built in 1923.
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The West Side School, now apartments, with its unique Collegiate Gothic style.
