Iola in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Iola Mills

Photographed By Keith L, July 12, 2010

1. Iola Mills Marker

Inscription. Colonel J.W. Chandler, S.S. Chandler, and S. Miller built Iola's first dam and sawmill in 1853. The partners then constructed a grist mill, adding a flour mill two years later. In 1860, Henry Wipf purchased a controlling interest in the Iola Mills. Wipf secured sole ownership to his two sons, Jacob and Conrad, who renamed it J. & C. Wipf Mills.

The Wipfs continued investing in the property, adding a rail spur in 1893. They rebuilt the sawmill and added a stone engine house and mill office in 1898. Four generations of the family owned and operated the business for over 100 years, ending with Fredrick J. Wipf.

When area lumbering diminished in 1930, the Wipfs demolished the sawmill, but the business continued to plane wood and to mill feed until the complex closed in 1963.

Erected 2008
Wisconsin Historical Society

Erected 2008 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 518.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 44° 30.598′ N, 89° 7.861′

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W. Marker is in Iola, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (State Highway 49) and Mill Street (State Highway 161) on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Main Street, Iola WI 54945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Iola Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The “Spud Alley” Era (about 600 feet away); Krause Publications (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1999 Father's Day Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clifford Marshall Thompson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iola’s Early History (approx. 0.2 miles away); R. I. Anderson Machine Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iola and Northern Depot Station Number 66 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iola.

Photographed By Keith L, July 12, 2010

2. Iola Mills Marker

The marker is between the boulder and highway signage.

Photographed By Melinda Roberts, September 19, 2012

3. Iola Mills Marker

Photographed By Melinda Roberts, September 19, 2012

4. Iola Mills Marker

Photographed By Melinda Roberts, September 19, 2012

5. Iola Mills

Iola Mills and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, September 18, 2014

6. Iola Mills and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 23, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. 6. submitted on October 31, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.