Medford in Taylor County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
United States Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
Photographed by Keith L, October 5, 2021
1. United States Forest Service Marker
"Without natural resources life itself is impossible. From birth to death, natural resources, transformed for human use, feed, clothe, shelter, and transport us." ~Gifford Pinchot
The United States Forest Service came to northern Wisconsin to address forest protection, restoration and utilization. Between 1934 and 1936, the Medford Administrative Site was created to service the forest and today serves the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. A cozy home once stood in front of you, facing the river. It was home to the Forest Service Ranger and his family. Across the tree line and still in use today, are the administration buildings. The work conducted from this site has assisted in timber management, fire protection, control of invasive species, and recreation for the greater half of a century. The Medford Administrative Site helped the Forest Service continue to meet their mission of "Caring for the Land and Serving People" right here in Medford.
Chief, U.S. Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, pioneered the forestry practices we see in use today. Pinchot's motto for the administration
this page online
Wisconsin's Lumber Trade
The booming timber industry in Wisconsin brought immigrants from all over Europe. Between 1870 and 1920, the hard working lumbermen had cleared about one million acres of forest land and floated the logs down rivers such as the Black River. This industry helped create what is now the city of Medford.
Two Forests in One
In 1993, two separate forests combined to create the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Initially, the Medford Administrative Site was part of the Nicolet, but passed to the Chequamegon side in 1934.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 45° 8.376′ N, 90° 20.958′ W. Marker is in Medford, Wisconsin, in Taylor County. It is on Luepke Way south of Maple Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Medford WI 54451, United
Photographed by Keith L, October 5, 2021
2. United States Forest Service Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Civilian Conservation Corps (here, next to this marker); Dorchester Veterans Memorial (approx. 9½ miles away); S.S. Dorchester Memorial (approx. 9.8 miles away); The Yellowstone Trail (approx. 13.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 13½ miles away); History of The Big White Pine (approx. 13½ miles away); Rib Lake Lumber Company (approx. 14.3 miles away).
More about this marker. Attributions, clockwise from lower left corner:
· Written and designed by UW-Stevens Point students in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service
· Photo courtesy of the Forest History Society
· Photo courtesy of the University
Photographed by Keith L, October 5, 2021
3. United States Forest Service Marker
· Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service
· USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
Also see . . .
1. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. United States Forest Service.
About the Chequamegon-Nicolet: "The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin's northwoods... The Chequamegon side of the forest covers about 858,400 acres in Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor and Vilas counties, while the Nicolet side of the forest covers nearly 661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida and Vilas counties."(Submitted on March 25, 2022.)
2. Gifford Pinchot: The Father of Forestry. National Park Service.
"When Teddy Roosevelt created the position of chief of the US Forest Service in 1905, Pinchot was the obvious choice."(Submitted on March 25, 2022.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2022, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2022, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
