Rhinelander history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Rhinelander is inextricably linked to the era of large-scale development of forest resources in the northern United States. Initially, this area was known as "Pelican Rapids" due to its location by the river rapids. The first steps towards creating the city were taken in the early 1880s by the Brown family, who saw immense industrial potential here.

The official date of foundation is considered to be 1882, when the settlement was renamed in honour of Frederick W. Rhinelander, the president of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railroad. This gesture was intended to ensure the loyalty of railway tycoons, which was critical for the city's survival.

Key Formation Factors

The transformation of a small camp into the thriving centre of Oneida County was driven by a combination of several circumstances:

• Water Resource Geography: The city emerged at the strategically important confluence of the Wisconsin and Pelican rivers. This provided not only routes for timber rafting but also the necessary hydropower for the operation of sawmills.
• Railway Artery: The arrival of the railway became a turning point, opening access to national timber markets and ensuring an influx of new settlers.
• Natural Wealth: The dense forests surrounding the territory, particularly the valuable white pine, became the foundation of the economy, attracting capital and workforce.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the late 19th century, Rhinelander represented a classic "lumberjack town" with a rugged lifestyle and a booming industry. The economy relied on logging and wood processing, and later on paper production.

A unique feature of the city's cultural code was the birth of the legend of the Hodag. In the 1890s, local resident Eugene Shepard invented a mythical creature allegedly inhabiting the local forests. Initially created as a hoax, the legend of the Hodag quickly became a symbol of the resilience and humour of the local residents, evolving into the city's main tourism brand, which remains alive to this day.

Chronology of Rhinelander's Development

• 1880 — John Curran and the Brown family establish a trading post and sawmill at the strategically important confluence of the Wisconsin and Pelican rivers.
• 1882 — The settlement receives the name Rhinelander following successful negotiations to lay a railway line to the city.
• 1887 — Rhinelander officially becomes the administrative centre of the newly formed Oneida County.
• 1894 — Rhinelander receives city status, cementing its title as the industrial heart of the Northwoods region.
• 1896 — Eugene Shepard stages the famous demonstration of a "captured" Hodag at the county fair, firmly rooting the legend in the city's culture.
• 1903 — The Rhinelander Paper Company is founded, allowing the city's economy to survive the decline in logging and preserve jobs.
• 1908 — The public library opens its doors, built with funds from the foundation of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
• 1910 — Construction is completed on the historic Oneida County Courthouse with its distinctive Beaux-Arts dome, becoming the architectural landmark of the city.
• 1932 — The Rhinelander Logging Museum is created, becoming a tribute to the era of pioneers and lumberjacks.
• 1978 — The first Hodag Country Festival takes place, which subsequently became one of the largest events in the state of Wisconsin.
• 2016 — Completion of the large-scale Streetscape Project in the city centre, aimed at improving infrastructure and tourism appeal.

Path to Success: From Sawmills to Resort

The success story of Rhinelander goes beyond simple dates on a calendar. It is a narrative of how the city managed to reinvent itself while preserving a unique identity. A crucial milestone in its development was the transformation into a tourism centre for the Northwoods region. While the economy initially relied exclusively on resource extraction, over time, the emphasis shifted to the preservation and utilisation of natural potential. The lakes, which previously served only for timber rafting, are today recognised as some of the best locations for fishing and water sports in the Midwest.

Strengthening the "Home of the Hodag" Brand

Another significant achievement was the successful integration of folklore into modern destination marketing. The legend of the Hodag outgrew the status of a local tall tale and became a powerful cultural phenomenon. The city became filled with themed art objects, sculptures, and murals, allowing Rhinelander to stand out among hundreds of other small US cities. This unique branding attracts travellers seeking unusual experiences and local colour, making the city recognisable far beyond the borders of Wisconsin.

Development of Active Leisure Infrastructure

The modern stage of the city's development is characterised by the creation of an extensive network for active tourism. Rhinelander has secured its status as an important hub for winter sports enthusiasts, particularly the snowmobiling movement. The development of high-quality trails connecting the city with neighbouring counties, along with the growth of services for travellers, has allowed the city to become a magnet for thousands of outdoor activity enthusiasts, ensuring a stable flow of tourists year-round.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban development of Rhinelander is inextricably linked to its industrial past. The initial layout of the city formed spontaneously around the sawmills and the Wisconsin River channel, but after receiving the status of the county administrative centre, the street structure became more orderly. The transition from temporary wooden structures to permanent brick and stone construction marked the era of the "timber boom" at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the city sought to demonstrate its prosperity.

Main Styles and Eras

The city's architecture reflects an evolution from purely utilitarian structures to buildings embodying civic pride and the wealth of the region:

• Beaux-Arts: The most striking and ceremonial style in the city, represented by monumental public buildings of the early 20th century. It is characterised by strict symmetry, grandeur of forms, and rich decoration.
• Classical Revival (Neoclassicism): A strict and elegant style used for educational and cultural institutions. It is distinguished by the presence of columns, pilasters, and antique proportions.
• Victorian Commercial Style: Characteristic of the historic city centre. These are predominantly brick two- and three-storey buildings with decorative cornices and large display windows, built for merchants and bankers.
• Rustic/Northwoods Style: Reflects the unique identity of the forest region. It involves the use of rough logs and natural stone, characteristic of park structures and tourism facilities.

Iconic Structures

Several architectural landmarks form the recognisable historic appearance of Rhinelander:

• Oneida County Courthouse: The undisputed architectural gem of the city, built in 1908–1910. The building is known for its magnificent coloured glass dome in the Tiffany style and massive portico, symbolising the stability of authority during the peak of logging.
• Rhinelander Public Library: A classic building erected with a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It serves as an example of how industrial capital was transformed into cultural heritage.
• Brown Street: The main artery of the historic centre, where a cohesive ensemble of brick buildings from the beginning of the last century has been preserved, creating the atmosphere of a cosy and traditional American town.

Notable People of Rhinelander

• Eugene Shepard
  Lumberjack, showman, and folklorist
  The region's chief myth-maker, who invented the legend of the Hodag in 1893. His pranks and stories not only made the city famous across the country but also gifted Rhinelander its unique cultural symbol and mascot.
• Frederick W. Rhinelander
  Railway company president
  Although he did not reside in the city permanently, his influence was decisive. As the head of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railroad, he agreed to extend a line to the settlement in exchange for renaming the city in his honour, which ensured the region's economic takeoff.
• John Heisman
  Legendary coach and American football theorist
  The man after whom the most prestigious trophy in US college sports (the Heisman Trophy) is named. Heisman often spent his summers in Rhinelander and is buried in the local Forest Home Cemetery.
• Mike Webster
  NFL star, Hall of Fame member
  Known as "Iron Mike", he was a graduate of Rhinelander High School. Webster became a legend of the Pittsburgh Steelers and is considered one of the greatest centres in the history of professional American football.
• Anderson Brown
  Entrepreneur and founding father
  Together with his brother Webster Brown, he played a key role in the creation of the city. It was he who saw the potential of the Wisconsin River's hydropower for building sawmills and actively lobbied for infrastructure development.
• John Curran
  Early settler and public figure
  Founder of the first trading post at the confluence of the Pelican and Wisconsin rivers. Curran was the city's first postmaster and treasurer, laying the administrative foundation for the future county centre.