Wisconsin 101

The Vulcan Corporation

The Vulcan Corporation was founded in 1909 in Ohio as a manufacturer of wooden shoe lasts. The business really took off once they developed a new shoe last turning lathe. In 1919, Vulcan started a plant in Crandon, Wisconsin, which made “rough-turned”—or unfinished—lasts.…

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February 1, 2016

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Antigo / Industry / Langlade County / Related Stories / Sports & Games / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Region 2 - North East / 1945-1965 / 1965-1987 / Mepps Fishing Lure

Mepps Lures: The Antigo Connection

A chance encounter of an American G.I. in France after World War II with a local fisherman led to the development of a major industry in Antigo, Wisconsin and put Antigo on the sports fishing map.Frank Velek discovered a fishing lure while…

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October 30, 2015

Broad History / Industry / Langlade County / Wolf River / Related Stories / Lumber Industry / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Politics & Government / Region 2 - North East / Transportation & Tourism / Mepps Fishing Lure

The Wolf River

Todd Sheldon first discovered the virtues of the Mepps Aglia spinner and later realized improvements afforded by a tuft of squirrel tail while fishing at one of his favorite spots: the Wolf River. Today the Wolf continues to be a destination for sports…

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October 30, 2015

Manitowoc / Racine / Kenosha / Kenosha County / Milwaukee County / Port Washington / Milwaukee / Two Rivers / Sheboygan / Maritime Industry / Ozaukee County / Door County / Related Stories / Racine County / 1848-1877 / Manitowoc County / Nature & Environment / Sheboygan County / Politics & Government / Region 5 - Center East / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Lifesaving Medal

Early Lifesaving Stations in Wisconsin

A Slow Beginning As maritime commerce grew in the early 19th century, the loss of vessels and crews to shipwreck increased. In 1848, the federal government, through the United States Revenue Marine, established its first lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coast. The…

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April 21, 2015

Industry / Maritime Industry / Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Lifesaving Medal

The Wreck of the Tanner

The Wrecked Vessel The Tanner was a barque, or three-masted ship, whose foremast was square-rigged and whose main-and mizzenmasts were fore-and-aft rigged. It measured 156.38 feet long by 31.75 feet in breadth. The ship was built in 1863 by the Milwaukee shipbuilding firm Ellsworth & Davidson…

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April 21, 2015

Milwaukee County / Milwaukee / Maritime Industry / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Lifesaving Medal

The Rescuers of the Tanner

On September 10, 1875, six rescue boat volunteers were dispatched to aid the crew of the Tanner, a cargo ship foundering in Milwaukee Harbor after being struck by a powerful storm. All six of the rescue boat volunteers – but not the captain…

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April 21, 2015