Near Menomonie in Dunn County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chippewa Valley White Pine

Photographed By Donna Johnson, June 25, 2007

1. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker

Inscription. Here and northeast of here lies the vast Chippewa Valley. At the start of lumbering in Wisconsin it held one-sixth of the nation’s white pine. Surveyors estimated the total pine stand in the state at 136 billion board feet of prime lumber. Lumbermen considered the supply inexhaustible.

Chippewa Valley white pine helped build the homes and cities of the corn belt, the great plains, Chicago after its fire. This valley made strong men, record log jams, tall tales, and prosperous cities, all while wasting 60 per cent of its pine in stumps, slashing, culls, sawdust, slabs, and fires. The harvest here that began in 1838 with 5-foot diameter trunks 160 feet high ended 80 years later taking 5-inch logs.
Today the Chippewa Valley is green again with farms and pine. Reforestation began before 1920. Early plantings are now merchantable timber. In time the Chippewa Valley will again stand with mature pine.

Erected 1973 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 199.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 44° 54.403′ N, 91° 54.435′ W.

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Marker is near Menomonie, Wisconsin, in Dunn County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 94 at milepost 43, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at Rest Area 61. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Menomonie WI 54751, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fine Meadows (within shouting distance of this marker); Wisconsin's Oak Savanna (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunn County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fine Meadows (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I (about 800 feet away); Evergreen Cemetery / Earliest Evergreen Burials (approx. 1.2 miles away); Dr. Stephen Tainter (approx. 1.2 miles away); Stori House (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Menomonie.

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

2. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker

Photographed By Donna Johnson, June 25, 2007

3. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,595 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 13, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on April 22, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on August 13, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.