Rib Lake in Taylor County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rib Lake Lumber Company
Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009
1. Rib Lake Lumber Company Marker
In 1882, speculator J.J. Kennedy constructed a small mill along the shores of Rib Lake, founding the Rib Lake Lumber Company. In spite of several mill fires, the company grew to produce over a billion board feet of lumber. At first dependent upon horse-drawn sleighs for hauling logs, the company developed into a large industrial complex when a railroad spur was constructed to connect Rib Lake to the Wisconsin Central Rail Road line. By the 1920s, the Rib Lake Lumbering Company included many specialized buildings and machinery, several lumber yards and an intricate tramway system and railroad servicing area. This area of Rib Lake was once known as the hot pond, where mill steam thawed frozen logs before the bull chain pulled them into the mill. Two buildings remain from the original complex: a machine shed and lumber drying kiln. After the areas available timber was depleted, the mill closed in 1948, ending the era of huge logging operations in Wisconsin.
Erected 1997. (Marker Number 346.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce.
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Location. 45° 19.098′ N, 90° 12.096′ W. Marker is in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, in Taylor County. It is on State Highway 102, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in a small park and boat landing on the south (right) side of the road as you travel east through Rib Lake. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rib Lake WI 54470, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 5 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rustic Road (approx. 4½ miles away); First Settlers of Ogema, Spirit and Hill (approx. 9.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.8
Photographed by Greta Schassler, July 27, 2025
2. Rib Lake Lumber Company Marker
Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009
3. Rib Lake Lumber Company Marker
Park and Rib Lake
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
4. Rib Lake and Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
5. Rib Lake
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,523 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on July 27, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
