Flambeau Trail – The Mercer Depot
Iron County Heritage Area
The arrival of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railroad in 1889 was a major factor in the economic development of Mercer’s isolated logging settlement. Timber and other natural resources could now be shipped year ‘round to markets. Much needed equipment and supplies could reach the area quickly and cheaply via rail. Mercer’s early pioneers, with all their worldly goods, soon arrived here by boxcar. They built sawmills, blacksmith shops, and homes. They changed the logging settlement into a community.
The Mercer depot, built in 1905, is the only remaining railroad depot in Iron County. This unique wooden structure speaks of a simpler time when the sound of the steam engine whistles summoned the town to action.
A train brought family, friends, and supplies. Tourists, eager to experience a northwoods getaway, arrived from the cities. Together with freight bound for logging camps, they were loaded into horse drawn carts called “drays” and taxied to outlying resorts. Townsfolk hurried to board the morning train bound for Hurley and Ironwood for a day of shopping, to return on the afternoon southbound. The postmaster
this page online
For many years this little depot was the heart of the community. In 1982, the last train came through Mercer. Highway transportation had replaced travel by rail. The rails were removed, ending an era.
The Mercer Depot has been restored to turn-of-the century quaintness. It houses a delightful collection of railroad and northwoods memorabilia and the Mercer Historic Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 46° 9.991′ N, 90° 3.759′ W. Marker is in Mercer, Wisconsin, in Iron County. Marker is at the intersection of Railroad Street and Lakeview Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Railroad Street. Located at the Mercer Depot Historical Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mercer WI 54547, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Flambeau Trail – Turtle Portage (approx. ¾ mile away); Flambeau Trail – Manitowish (approx. 3.4 miles away); Flambeau Trail – Two Ways to Go (approx. 4.8 miles away); Roddis Line – Lake of the Falls (approx. 4.8 miles away); Flambeau Trail – Continental Divide (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Rest Lake Dam Story
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
