Wolf Creek, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wolf Creek, Wisconsin
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 Wolf Creek, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Wolf Creek, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Polk |
| Elevation | 249 m (817 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 715 & 534 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1576928 |
Wolf Creek is a small, quiet place in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of a larger area called the town of Sterling.
Where is Wolf Creek?
Wolf Creek is found along River Road. It's about 12 miles north of a place called St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. The community gets its name from a stream, also called Wolf Creek. This stream flows through the area and joins the St. Croix River nearby.
A Look Back in Time
Wolf Creek has a long history! It started as a place where people could trade goods. Later, it became a popular stopping point on the River Road. This road was used by people traveling from the Falls of St. Croix to the big forests (called pineries) up north. It was about how far a team of oxen could travel in one day.
In the 1840s, it was still a place for travelers to rest. Then, in 1854, two families, led by Dr. Samuel Deneen and William Trimmer, settled there. They built a mill and a hotel. In 1855, the area officially became the Township of Sterling, and Wolf Creek became its main post office and trading center.
Life in Wolf Creek's Heyday
Wolf Creek stayed a peaceful, small town for many years. But it had a big growth spurt in the late 1880s! This happened when the Nevers Dam was built nearby on the St. Croix River. The dam helped with the logging industry, which was very important until 1914.
At its busiest, Wolf Creek was a lively place. It had several stores where people could buy things. There was also a bar, a community hall for gatherings, and a Methodist church. Kids went to the public school, and people could send letters from the post office. Other businesses included a blacksmith shop and a mill that used water power to grind flour and saw wood.
