Wisconsin Rapids in Wood County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Corenso North America
Recycling Everyone's Future
| | Historic Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | |
Photographed by Keith L, January 17, 2015
1. Corenso North America Marker
In 1891, Oberbeck Bros. Mfg. Co. created fine furniture. After 30 years, the company was shut down in 1918 when the U.S. government declared furniture mfg. non-essential during W.W.I. As a result, Ahdawagam Paper Prod. Co. was formed to manufacture solid fiber boxes.
Meanwhile, in 1917, Consolidated Water Power & Paper Co. began operations of No. 13 board machine to manufacture paperboard grades from reclaimed fiber. In 1926, the Jackson Flour Mill was purchased and converted to recycle old papers and recycled fiber into stock for use by this machine.
In 1920, product lines were added to manufacture spiral-wound paper cores and corrugated boxes.
During W.W.II, space was made available for the production of laminated plastics used for aircraft material and weatherproof boxes. Millions of these boxes were used to carry critical items for the war. Paper cores were used to protect the noses of large shells.
In 1948, Consolidated Water & Power Co. purchased the facility and later it was renamed Paperboard Products, a division of Consolidated Papers, Inc.
Throughout the years, the paperboard produced
this page online
Today, Corenso North America, a subsidiary of Stora Enso Oyj. concentrates solely on the manufacture of high-quality coreboard and cores, and is viewed as a leader in its industry.
[Caption:]
In 1965, Stanton W. Mead, president of Consolidated Papers Inc. broke ground at Paperboard Products Division for construction of a new one-story building, looking on (from left) are Henry Klevene, Clarence Lukaszewski, John Segal, and Groff Collett.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 44° 23.582′ N, 89° 49.708′ W. Marker was in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in Wood County. It was on West Grand Avenue west of 2nd Avenue South, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 253 West Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495, United States
Photographed by Keith L, January 17, 2015
2. Corenso North America Marker
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Northern Wisconsin. It was also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: The Iron Horse in Grand Rapids (within shouting distance of this marker); Ho-Chunk 32nd "Red Arrow" Division Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winnebago Indians (about 400 feet away); Grand Rapids of the Wisconsin River (approx. Ό mile away); Our Medical History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wood County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Myron "Grim" Natwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Municipal Swimming Pool (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wisconsin Rapids.
More about this marker. captions, clockwise:
Oberbeck Bros. Mfg. Co. The three-story wood building was located at 800 Fremont St. to manufacture fine furniture.
Corenso North America's core converting plant and community waste recycling center at 800 Freemont Street
Beginning in 1955, roll storage used a crane on a track from the ceiling to retrieve rolls of paper. The crane was a popular attraction for visitors and customers. Its use was discontinued in 2000.
No. 13 board machine on the Wisconsin River
The newspaper & corrugated boxes brought to our recycling center are used to manufacture high-quality coreboard & paper cores.
N.141 Sideboard
The mural not painted directly on the wall, but painted on wood panels was part of a "Murals Walk," established by the Public Art Group of the Downtown Revitalization Cluster. It was painted in 2006 by Susan Sampson of Black River Falls.
Also see . . .
1. Oberbeck Bros. Manufacturing Co. 1895 photograph and description. (Submitted on January 20, 2015.)
2. Ahdawagam Paper Products Company. 1934 photograph. (Submitted on January 20, 2015.)
3. Ahdawagam Paper Products Company. 1943 newspaper advertisement. (Submitted on January 20, 2015.)
4. Consolidated Papers, Inc. History. (Submitted on January 20, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2015, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 997 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2015, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
