Did you know that back when Wisconsin was just a few years old we set aside the very first state-owned land to create a state park?
In the late 1800s, Wisconsin was mostly a vast swath of forest. Most of the population lived in the southern part of the state and many viewed the northern part of the state as useless wilderness - not good for cities, farming or luring people to come here.
Flickr/NormanBLevinthalMapCenter
But others understood that the country’s lust for industry - and particularly logging - put much of Wisconsin’s land in jeopardy.
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
So in 1878 the state legislature established the first ever US state park and they creatively called it “The State Park.” It was 58,000 acres in what is now Iron and Vilas counties.
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
There was just one small problem - despite naming the area a state park, it turns out the state only owned about 10% of that land.
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
Not only that, but it was protected land far from where most of the state’s residents lived and difficult for them to access.
Flickr/Aaron Carlson
Lumber barons came calling and started buying up the land that wasn’t state-owned.
Flickr/Erin DeYoung
The lure of the logging industry was too strong to keep the park.
Flickr/WIDNR
Just 19 years after the country’s first state park was established, legislature dissolved it and sold the land to the lumber companies, defeating the purpose of protecting those lands in the first place.
Flickr/Keith Ewing
It would be another two decades before Wisconsin would designate more parkland - this time along its western border.
Flickr/Trebz
The logging industry took its toll in Northern Wisconsin, but lucky for us, much of the land of Vilas county is once again set aside for public use.
Flickr/Greg Blick
Gorgeous parks, trails, forests and lakes populate the area that was once the first state park.
Flickr/Alan Wolf
The area is home to eaglets, deer, and a plethora of native flora and fauna.
Flickr/Kerry Lenert
So though it no longer exists, Wisconsin can lay claim to America’s very first state park. Despite the unfortunate loss to logging, the state has spent the past century protecting our natural resources and providing land for public use.
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
Looking for more places around the state to get out and enjoy our public lands? Check out 15 Picturesque Trails In Wisconsin That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking.
Flickr/NormanBLevinthalMapCenter
Flickr/Joshua Mayer
Flickr/Aaron Carlson
Flickr/Erin DeYoung
Flickr/WIDNR
Flickr/Keith Ewing
Flickr/Trebz
Flickr/Greg Blick
Flickr/Alan Wolf
Flickr/Kerry Lenert
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