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
Here and northeast of here lies the vast Chippewa Valley. At the start of lumbering in Wisconsin it held one-sixth of the nations 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° 54.424′ N, 91° 54.438′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, 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 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dunn County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fine Meadows (about 600 feet away); Evergreen Cemetery / Earliest Evergreen Burials (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dr. Stephen Tainter (approx. 1.3 miles away); Stori House (approx. 2.3 miles away); In Honor of Company H (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mabel Tainter Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Menomonie.
Other markers no longer nearby. Wisconsin's Oak Savanna (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); "Fine Meadows Where Droves of Buffaloes and Elks were Feeding" (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Keith L, October 28, 2010
2. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker
Photographed by Greta Schassler, December 27, 2024
3. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker
The marker is seen in this view with a young white pine planted next to it.
Photographed by Donna Johnson, June 25, 2007
4. Chippewa Valley White Pine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,155 times since then and 34 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 December 27, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on August 13, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
