Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse

Many of us can easily picture a lighthouse in our minds. You may think of a tall structure that’s right along a lake or ocean, illuminating the water and land it protects. Whatever comes to mind, lighthouses have an everlasting cultural presence…

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May 29, 2023

Rhinelander / Hodag Decanter / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Lumber Industry / Related Stories / 1877-1900 / 1900-1918 / Nature & Environment / 1918-1945 / Region 2 - North East / Oneida County

Paul Bunyan and the Hodag

The Hodag and Paul Bunyan folklore are two of the most iconic stories of the American frontier. The Hodag is a mythical creature from the Northwoods that is described as a dragon-like creature with horns, sharp claws, and a spiked tail. Paul…

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May 23, 2023

Rhinelander / Hodag Decanter / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Lumber Industry / Related Stories / 1877-1900 / 1900-1918 / Nature & Environment / 1918-1945 / Region 2 - North East / Oneida County

The Myth of the Hodag in Rhinelander

Rumored to stalk the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the monstrous Hodag is a legendary creature that has captivated the imaginations of locals and visitors alike. With its fearsome appearance and mysterious origins, the Hodag has become a symbol of folklore and intrigue in…

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May 23, 2023

Rhinelander / Hodag Decanter / Art & Design / Food & Cooking / Object Histories / Lumber Industry / Wisconsin Made / Oneida County / Region 2 - North East / 1965-1987

OBJECT HISTORY: Hodag Decanter

A fearsome sight to behold, the horrible Hodag is rumored to stalk the Northwoods of Wisconsin. First “spotted” in the lumber town of Rhinelander in the late 1800s, the hoax of the Hodag took on a life of its own and made…

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May 15, 2023

Maritime Industry / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Politics & Government / Transportation & Tourism / Wind Point Lighthouse

Orlando Metcalfe Poe and Wisconsin’s Waterways

Orlando Metcalfe Poe (1832-1895) was an engineer who shaped the landscape of Wisconsin’s harbors and waterways, playing a crucial role in the development of Wisconsin’s commerce. Through his lighthouse designs and his design of major systems of ship locks and canals on…

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May 10, 2023

Racine / Maritime Industry / Industry / Object Histories / Racine County / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Wind Point Lighthouse

OBJECT HISTORY: Wind Point Lighthouse

Wind Point Lighthouse is located in the Village of Wind Point, which sits just north of the Racine harbor on Lake Michigan. The lighthouse was constructed in 1880 and stands 108 feet high. In 1870 the U.S. Lighthouse Board, a federal agency…

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May 10, 2023