Wisconsin Dells in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lumber Raftsmen

Making a Living on the River

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2020

1. Lumber Raftsmen Marker

Inscription. Abundant stands of white pines throughout Northern Wisconsin spurred the first era of big business to the Dells beginning in 1833. Timber logs 70-feet long were floated down to sawmills, where they were cut into rough planks. Lumbermen made their living as pilots, floating the large rafts of bundled wood to markets south. This was before the dam was built and the river was shallower, with swift rapids through a section of the river called "the Narrows" and a near 90-degree turn aptly named "Devil's Elbow," was a dangerous task. Many lumber raftsmen lost their lives in the treacherous water. The last of the unique rafts came through in 1890 as the railroads took over transporting the lumber.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 43° 37.989′ N, 89° 46.453′ W. Marker is in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. Marker is on Illinois Avenue near River Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 98 Illinois Avenue, Wisconsin Dells WI 53965, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Natural Ingenuity (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Hamilton Bennett (approx. ¼ mile away); Kilbourn City (approx. ¼ mile away); George H. Crandall

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(approx. ¼ mile away); The Ho-Chunk People (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Kilbourn Dam (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Wisconsin River (approx. 0.3 miles away); River Excursions (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wisconsin Dells.

Also see . . .
1. H.H. Bennett -- Wikipedia. From 1832 until 1890, every spring saw raftsmen riding their lumber to market down the Wisconsin River. Bennett had always been interested in taking a series of pictures of their activities. In 1886 dry plates had finally become reliable enough that he did not need his portable darkroom. Henry and his son Ashley made a 100-mile, week-long trip on a lumber raft. Between Kilbourn and Boscobel, Wisconsin, he took 30 pictures of the raftsmen's different activities. He then combined these with other pictures taken near Kilbourn and called the series, The Story of Raftsmen's Life on the Wisconsin. This was the first time a photographer wrote a "story" with pictures. Photo journalism was born. (Submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. The Story of Raftsmen's Life on the Wisconsin.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2020

2. Lumber Raftsmen Marker

The marker is at the left end of the bridge.

To view several of the H.H. Bennett's views from this series, click on this website. (Submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Lumber Raftsmen's Life on the Wisconsin</i> by H.H. Bennett image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Getty.edu

3. Lumber Raftsmen's Life on the Wisconsin by H.H. Bennett

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.