In the late 1700’s and the early 1800’s…..

The land comprising the areas on both sides of the Menominee river. Including Menominee on the north side, Marinette on the southern side and Menekaunee also on the south side, at the river’s mouth. Was known as the Menominee River District and was located in what was then known as the Michigan Territory. It remained as such until 1836. In 1836 the Menominee River became the boundary line between Michigan territory that would become the state of Michigan 1n 1837 and the Wisconsin territory that became a state in 1848.

First Recorded Inhabitants….1700’s

Were a small Algonquin tribe known as “the wild rice People” or Menominee’s. The journals of seventeenth and eighteenth explorers describe a tribe of 40 to 80 men living in a single village at the mouth of the Menominee River.

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First White Settler…. 1794

In the Menominee river basin was Stanislaus Chappu, or Chappee, a French-Canadian fur trader. Chappee operated a log trading post at the site of Marinette between 1794 and 1824. In 1822 another fur trader by the name of William Farnsworth arrived in the river basin. 2 years later he usurped Chappee’s position as the areas fur trader when he forcibly ejected Chappee from his trading post with the help of nearby Chippewa Indians.

Marinette Jacobson arrives….1823

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In 1823 John B. Jacobs and wife Marinette partnered with a Mr. William Farnsworth and the three took over the Trading Post located near the mouth of the Menominee River.

Soon after arriving Jacobs, her husband, would return to Canada his original home and never returned. Marinette and Farnsworth’s then joined in a common law marriage. From the onset of her arrival in the district, it became apparent that the native Americans who traded furs for food and supplies preferred dealing with Marinette. Marinette was considered by most that knew her as a very capable businesswomen, shrewd but honest trader.

First Sawmill…. 1831

The first sawmill on the Menominee River was built in 1831 by William Farnsworth and Charles Brush. Farnsworth and Brush were granted permission to build a Mill and Dam by the Menominee Indians and also the War Department on un-surveyed Indian lands. Intern they were required to saw lumber and grind grain for the Menominee Tribe and the U.S. Government at a reasonable price. The location of the Mill was on the corner N. Raymond and Riverside Av. approximately 1/8 mile upriver of the Hattie Bridge.

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Freight and Passenger Service begins…1836

The first steamship the “New York” entered the harbor in 1836 to take on a load of wood. She was the first steamship in the harbor. Regular freight and passenger service were established that year.

http://www.rootsweb.com/wimarine

First Registered Real Estate Transfer….1838

The first Real Estate transfer in the Menominee River District is dated May 22nd, 1838, and was from Alex McLeod to William Farnsworth & Charles Brush. The transfer conveyed a mill privilege and a tract of land that embraced an area one mile wide on both sides of the river and extended four miles upriver from its mouth. Farnsworth pictured on right.

The area encompassed virtually all present land in the cities of Marinette and Menominee. The two obtained the large tract for a consideration of $1000. Farnsworth left Marinette his common law wife a few years later and moved to the Sheboygan river region. Although here just 20 years he was very instrumental in our areas early development.

“Way Back When” Serial History of the Twin Cities in the Menominee Herald Leader.

First Steam Sawmill….1856

The Steam Sawmill was more efficient than the earlier water powered sawmills. It was built by the New York Lumber Company in the Village of Menekaunee. 5 years later it was sold to 3 businessmen from Chicago by the names of Spalding, Sawyer and Brown. The Mill burned to the ground in 1869 and then again in 1871. Menekaunee was the only part of the Marinette that was affected by the Peshtigo Fire. But like the Phoenix, rose from the flames and was re-opened in 1872 under the name of the Menominee River Lumber Company.

Menominee River Lumber Company pictured in early 1890’s

Source: Marinette County Centennial Booklet

Menominee River Boom Co…. 1866

Once the river thawed and prior to the beginning of the log drive each Log was branded with the owner’s mark.

The roll or job of the Boom Company was the driving, booming (sorting out of the logs and measuring them), and floating, them down to the appropriate sawmill owner. This was done in the river on floating log booms chained to rock cribs.

The Boom Company, located on the site of the old trading post in Marinette, reported that during the years 1867 – 1917 they put 10 billion 608 million board feet of lumber through its sorting gaps on the Menominee River. Its biggest year was 1888 when 650 million feet were cut.

Source: Herald-Leaders “Way Back When” serial History” 6th Installment. Fred C. Burke’s book Logs on the Menominee.

Marinette Iron Works….1867

The Iron Works machine shop, originally known as Prescott’s, was built to repair and manufacture sawmill and mining machinery and was located on Joe Bart (now Stephenson) Island. Owners were Clint Prescott, Trumble and Curver. After being destroyed by fire twice they moved to Main Street and changed their name Marinette Iron Works.

The Prescott’s developed the steam-feed and set works, which revolutionized the sawing of lumber.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.com,/wimarine

First Newspaper….1871

The Marinette and Peshtigo Eagle was first published in 1871 by Hon. Luther B. Noyes, Editor and proprietor. The paper was Republican in sentiments, but has discussed political, and other questions, with a good degree of fairness and honesty.

Railroad Service starts…..1871

The Menominee River Hospital was opened in 1884 with a branch opened in Menominee 3 years later. It was incorporated as the M & M Hospital in 1899. Lumberjacks as well as anyone involved in that industry were very susceptible to injury.

Prior to this time the quickest way to travel, deliver and receive freight as well mail was via sailboat or steamship.

A committee of Twin City leaders waiting at Menekaunee dock for William B. Ogden, committee President, with several directors of the Chicago Northwestern railroad to arrive by boat in 1869. The purpose was to try to get the Chicago Northwestern Railroad extend service North of Green Bay. Sitting left to right Master Charles Spalding, Judge E.S. Ingalls, Jessie Spalding, Nelson Ludington, Daniel Wells, Jr., Dr. J.C. Hall, Abner Kirby, Isaac Stephenson and Chauncey Simond.

Source: Photos courtesy of the Burke Family Collection

Marinette County Created….1879

On March 3rd. of 1879 Oconto, the largest County in Wisconsin, was divide in half with the Northern most half forming Marinette County. The first County Board of Supervisors met on March 11th with J.A. VanCleve serving as County Clerk. Representing the Township of Marinette was A.C. Merryman. Peshtigo Township was represented by William J. Shephard.

Source: Marinette County Centennial Booklet

Marinette County Courthouse….1881

The First Courthouse and Jail was completed in 1881. On land donated by the Honorable Isaac Stephenson. It was designed by George Clark an engineer from London, England who worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and had settled in Marinette County. Calix Merchant furnished the materials and erected the structure for $9,400.

Source: Marinette County Centennial Booklet

Menominee River Hospital – In Marinette -1884

The Menominee River Hospital was opened in 1884 with a branch opened in Menominee 3 years later. It was incorporated as the M & M Hospital in 1899. Lumberjacks as well as anyone involved in that industry were very susceptible to injury.

No Fewer then 31 Hotels….1889

In 1889 the City Directory listed no fewer than 31 Hotels. Most were clustered in the downtown district along Hall Av. and Main St. and in the Menekaunee Area on Hosmer and Water Streets. Pictured on left Marinette Hotel in 1857.

Source: Photos courtesy of the Burke Family Collection

During the Lumber Boom there were over 4,000 men working in the Marinette and Menominee sawmills and about 5,000 in and out of the logging camps. Many, were single and in need of temporary residency.

The original Marinette Hotel was built in 1896 and was unquestionably one of the leading Hotels in the state at that time. It was considered the Gateway to Northeastern Wisconsin and to the Northern Peninsula of Michigan.

The Hotel was rebuilt in 1912 enlarging it to 90 rooms. The first floor comprised of a luxurious lobby, coffee shop, an elegantly furnished banquet room and several stores. The basement contained a Barber Shop, Bowling Allies, etc.

Source: Sheboygan Press 8/27/1929

Firehouse Marinette 1893

1893 firehouse, council chambers, and library. City clerk and treasure office to right. These buildings exist where the current Fire station is today.

Picture from Burke Family Collection