7,000 BC to 1950
This area's habitation began arround 7,000 BC, as Indian hunting parties followed the withdrawals of the Valders glacier. Six major cultural changes followed before contact by early explorers, fur-traders and missionaries. The first inhabitants were Chippewa Indians dating back to 1745 and in 1868 French-Canadians settled here trading furs and logging off the land. The French Canadians could homestead 160 acres. The settlers were to build a cabin and to clear the land to prove up while they lived the required 5 years. The cabins built by those settlers are the earliest settlements of this era. In 1885, the government decided to log the reservation and northern area, as apart in the Treaty of 1842.
In 1904 a great tornado hit this area and made way for the salvage of this timber by the Emerson Brothers. Mill machinery was brought in, workers and their families were hired, and log houses and camp buildings were erected and became the town of Emerson located between Powell (Hwy 47/182) and Park Falls. Situated in the extreme southern part of Iron County, this area was near the storied Flambeau River, one of the great logging streams of all time. This area was extremely wild with black bears, timber wolfs, wild cats and the only transportation were horses, wagon, sleigh and a railroad. Once the Town of Emerson was established; the Sherman's from Powell were some of the first town officials. The town of Emerson extended from beyond Springstead Lake to Powell and South to Price County Line.
Several resorts and summer homes followed in 1924 marking the real beginning of this area as a popular tourist destination. By 1945 there were over 100 resorts and 1,000 summer homes around the area.
History
