Beecher in Marinette County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Cool North Woods
Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
1. The Cool North Woods Marker
Inscription.
The Cool North Woods. . Before air conditioning, interstate highways, and automobiles, a privileged few escaped the hot summers of the lower Midwest by taking trains to resorts built by the railroads in the north woods. Besides bringing settlers north and moving lumber south, railroads built resort hotels hoping to attract patrons during the summer months. Faced with a dwindling number of settlers and fewer logs to carry, the seasonal nature and small number of vacationers taking trains to the north woods, the resorts did not save the railroads from going bankrupt. In 1905, the Wisconsin and Michigan Railroad built a resort hotel on 82-acre Miscauno Island in the Menominee River. The island resort had a nine hole golf course and tennis courts as well. The railroad line to the island was abandoned in 1917, but the resort, rebuilt after the fire in 1923, continues to provide a refuge for those who prefer outdoor air conditioning during the summer months. The former railroad bridge now carries automobiles instead of railroad cars across the river to the island.
Before air conditioning, interstate highways, and automobiles, a privileged few escaped the hot summers of the lower Midwest by taking trains to resorts built by the railroads in the north woods. Besides bringing settlers north and moving lumber south, railroads built resort hotels hoping to attract patrons during the summer months. Faced with a dwindling number of settlers and fewer logs to carry, the seasonal nature and small number of vacationers taking trains to the north woods, the resorts did not save the railroads from going bankrupt. In 1905, the Wisconsin and Michigan Railroad built a resort hotel on 82-acre Miscauno Island in the Menominee River. The island resort had a nine hole golf course and tennis courts as well. The railroad line to the island was abandoned in 1917, but the resort, rebuilt after the fire in 1923, continues to provide a refuge for those who prefer outdoor air conditioning during the summer months. The former railroad bridge now carries automobiles instead of railroad cars across the river to the island.
Erected by Marinette County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 45° 35.411′ N, 87° 59.65′
Click or scan to see this page online
W. Marker is in Beecher, Wisconsin, in Marinette County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 141 and County Route Z, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 141. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pembine WI 54156, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Jenn Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
2. The Cool North Woods Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
