Tomahawk, Wisconsin - AMERICAN LOCAL HISTORY NETWORK

Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Population 3,457- in 1999

Historic Dates, Places, & People of Tomahawk

Donated by Don Paulson, member of

the Tomahawk Historical Society

Tomahawk's first building, (logs) was put up by Augus Buie Oct. of 1887.
First home or residence was at 115 West Rice Ave. 1887.
Tomahawk's first General Store was built by John Oelhafen Sr. at 117 West, Wisconsin Ave.1887.. From the roof, as it was being built, four deer were seen running down Wisconsin Ave. It was destroyed by the fire of 1929.
Our first Hotel was the Somo House, April, 1887, next was the Winsor House, built by Pat & Mike Day Sept. 1887.
"The Tomahawk", Owner & Editor John Shirk, was the first Newspaper. 1887
"The Blade" owned by Jed W..Coon, 1887. The second newspaper.
The first boy born in Tomahawk was named "Tomahawk Buie," by Mr. & Mrs. Augus Buie. They were presented a city lot on Sixth and Washington. 1887.
Our first Doctor was J.D.Cutter. 1887
Our first Lawyer was A.H. Woodworth 1887
Our first Church (Congregational) was built Nov. 22nd, 1887
Our first School was the Kindergarten, 1888, Miss Maude Tyner was the first teacher.
Saw Mills were built and burned as fast as they put them up.....
Here is the list:
Andrew & John Oelhafen's Saw & Planning mill. 1889, The Raymond Lumber Company was the last to own it, Allen Bell worked there. Owned by William F. Piehl, lasted the longest..
William H. Bradley's Tomahawk Lumber and Saw Mill, 1889 (known as Mill No.1)
The Rice River Lumber Co.(Bradley owned), 1889
The Somo Lumber Co.(Bradley owned), 1889
Mohr Lumber Co. bought Tomahawk Lumber Company, 1890 (known as Mill No.2)
The Crane Mill, built by The Farmers Lumber Co., 1890 (was Mill No.3)
(Mill No.4) 1890 was located on Rogers Island, it burned down in 1904.
A Shingle Mill was built North of No. 2 Mill. 1890 Burned down in 1893
A large Box Factory was built West and North of the street going to Rodgers Island, 1890, burned in 1893.
William H. Foss had a Box Factory on the East end of Rodgers Island, 1908, destroyed by fire in 1913.
The Bay Mills Lumber Co.(Bradley owned), burned down 1903. Bay Mills, this small settlement, had a Post Office and School, "I attended Bay Mills School in 1939 and 40" (Don Paulson) - 6 years old. Walked a mile, through the woods, to school.
In 1889, our first City Baseball Team was organized, (called The Tigers).
Our city was incorporated on March twenty-fifth, 1891
One of the first Saloon's was Fred Majors 1891, one of many on Main Street.
Our first Meat Market was Robert C. Thielman's 1891, was lost in the 1929 fire.
The first Jewelry store was the Wallis's 1891, son was Richard Wallis.
Our first Fire Chief was Robert McGreger. 1891
Tomahawk's first Mayor was Augus Buie 1891-1892
The Railroad Bridges were built in 1891-92.
Post Office built in 1892.
The Order of Catholic Nuns started a small hospital in Tomahawk, 1893, A new structure was built in 1962.
Our first High School, was the Whittier, opened in the fall of 1894 on the east end of Wisconsin Ave.
The Longfellow or "Swamp School" as it was referred to, was next. 1895? Later this school was used as Industrial Arts, Machine, Metals, Cooking & Woodworking classes. "I attended all classes but cooking." (Donald Paulson) 1950-1953 Washington High School.
The Tomahawk City Hall was built in 1900, along with a Fire Barn and Library (upstairs).
Our first Police Chief was James O'Connell. 1900.
The Tomahawk Tannery (Jersey City) was constructed, a 64' x 560' building, in 1903, for tanning hides. Gloves, Harnesses, etc. Located Northwest of the city.
Mr. Robert Tweety started agriculture in this area. Brought Jersey cows to the area----thus the town of Jersey City was formed and named after them (the cows I mean).
A second bank was constructed in 1904 (still standing) at 1st and Wisconsin Ave. although it is not a bank any more.
1906 The first Automobile was brought into the city by William T. Bradley ,son of Wm, H.Bradley.
The Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company was formed to regulate the flow of the Wisconsin River 1907. Bradley's dream was finally realized.
Alexander H. Reid represented Lincoln Co.
The Washington High School, was built in 1907. Grades 5-6, 1st floor; 7-8, 2nd floor; High School, 3rd floor. Burned down in 1978. A new school had been built prior to that. 1972 ?.
The Osborne brothers, (Willis & Wilbur) buy the newspaper and call it 'The Tomahawk Leader" 1913
Kings Dam was started in 1910 and finished in 1914. A man by the name of King had a station or tavern at King's Rapids. Old Military Road running to Eagle River and Marquette crossed the river at this point. The dam also housed the Tomahawk Pulp & Paper Co. Bleached Pulp for the Montgomery Ward catalog was made here.
Population of Tomahawk is 2,801 in 1920
Fourth Street Bridge (steel structure) was built in 1922, for $60,000.00 dollars. A wood bridge, called the wagon bridge was built before that. 1892?
Bradley Park was purchased by the city for $10,000.00 dollars in 1922.
A.M. Pride builds Pride Park and Baseball Grandstand in 1923, seats 2,000.
The new Bradley bank was built in 1923, Southwest corner of Tomahawk and Wisconsin Ave.
The first Professional Baseball Team (The Legionaries) was formed in Tomahawk, 1924. Lasted only one year. $16,000.00, To big a budget for such a small town.
First Semi-Pro Baseball Team (named the Tomahawk Cubs) is formed, joining the Wisconsin Valley League, 1925.
Tomahawk High School wins the Wisconsin Valley Basketball Championship 1928
Fire starts in The Mitchell Hotel takes 19 buildings with it in 1929. $250,000.00 in damage was caused.
Tomahawk Cubs (semi-pro) win The Wisconsin Valley Baseball Championship in 1936.
Would this be a Miracle City!!! Built by a man who looked like Santa Claus. MR. WILLIAM H. BRADLEY.