Sayner in Vilas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Snowmobile
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 18, 2010
1. Snowmobile Marker
Carl Eliason of Sayner developed the prototype of the modern snowmobile in 1924 when he mounted a small gasoline-powered marine engine on a long toboggan, steered with skis under the front and driven by a rear, single, endless track.
Patented in 1927, Eliason made 40 snowmobiles. Upon receiving an order for 200 from Finland, he sold his patent to the FWD Company of Clintonville. They made 300 for military use, then transferred the patent to a Canadian subsidiary.
There are 2½ million snowmobiles in North America now. Annual sales exceed $1 billion and result in 100,000 jobs. Used even above the Arctic Circle, they provide not only recreation, but mobility for utility repairment, forest rangers, game wardens, mail carriers, policemen, etc.
Erected 1975 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 212.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce •
this page online
Location. 45° 59.195′ N, 89° 31.923′ W. Marker is in Sayner, Wisconsin, in Vilas County. Marker can be reached from Main Street (State Highway 155) 0.1 miles north of County Highway N, on the left when traveling north. The marker is in front of the Vilas County Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Main Street, Sayner WI 54560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Forest Restoration (approx. 7.2 miles away); First Forest Patrol Flight (approx. 7.6 miles away); Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb (approx. 10.2 miles away); World’s Largest Penny (approx. 10.3 miles away); The Million Penny Parade (approx. 10.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.4 miles away); Devils Lake Vista Subcontinental Divide (approx. 12.8 miles away).
Regarding Snowmobile. The Vilas County Historical Museum, which is behind the marker, claims to have the world's first snowmobile on display.
Also see . . .
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 18, 2010
2. Snowmobile Marker
The Vilas County Historical Museum is in the background.
1. As the Snow Flies. Site for a book on the history of snowmobile development in North America (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
2. The History of Snowmobiling. from the Northern Timber Cruisers Antique Snowmobile Museum in Millinocket, Maine (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Photographed By Keith L, September 13, 2010
3. Snowmobile Marker and Vilas Historical Museum
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 18, 2010
4. Nearby Statues
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,129 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on June 22, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
