Approximate Drive Time: 2.5 Hours
For Maximum Enjoyment Allow: 5 Hours
Approximate Miles: 55 mile loop
Historic & Heritage Stops
1. Historic Downtown Shawano
Main Street
Shawano WI 54166
Many quaint shops, cafes, and coffee shops located in historic buildings. Many features have recently been installed including reproduction historic clock, light posts, benches, decorative crosswalks, and bubbler (drinking fountain). The Spirit of Shawano statues are located at the intersection of Main and Green Bay Streets and depict the history and importance of the logging and dairy industries to are area. The statues were created by sculptor Lundon Pomeroy of Billings, Montana.
Military Road
Highway 55 was known at one time as the Military Road. This road started out as a "tote road" for lumberjacks carrying supplies from Shawano north to the camps. In the early days of the Civil War, the North had no way of transporting troops from Fort Howard at Green Bay to Fort Wilkins in Keweenaw County, Michigan. On March 3, 1863 Congress passed an Act approving the road's construction. The construction was paid for with land grants, three sections for each mile of completed road. This road opened up the northern pineries for the early lumbermen and the economy of Shawano.
2. Menominee Reservation Historical Marker
Keshena Hwy 47-55 at south entrance to Menominee Indian Reservation on the right.
7. Menominee Logging Camp Museum
(715) 799-3757
Located on Cty Hwy VV just off Hwy 47 about one mile north of Keshena. Open May 15-October 15, Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission charged. This museum is home to the largest collection of logging artifacts in the world. Tour a bunkhouse, cook shanty, old-time camp office, wood butchers shop, saw filers shack, blacksmith's shop, and a scoop cedar roof shed. All the buildings are fully furnished with the tools and equipment used in the lumber camps of Northern Wisconsin.
Attractions
3. College of the Menominee Nation
State Hwy 47-55
Keshena WI 54135
(715) 799-5600
www.menominee.edu
4. Menominee Casino-Bingo-Hotel
Hwy 47-55
Keshena WI 54135
(800) 343-7778
www.menomineecasinoresort.com
Open 24 hours a day, this facility offers more than 840 slots, video poker, 12 blackjack table games, poker, roulette, and craps. Also gift/smoke shop and 100-room hotel with pool, conference center, and Forest Island Restaurant. A 30-site RV campground is open seasonally and is free to all Menominee Casino-Bingo-Hotel guests. A variety of national acts perform in the newly renovated show lounge.
5. Veterans Park
Located along the Wolf River - this is a very scenic spot. The Woodland Bowl area to the south is used as a fairgrounds and powwow site.
6. Veterans War Memorial
Keshena, WI 54135
Located in front of the Tribal Law Enforcement Center. Pays tribute to all Menominee who served their country during all wars.
8. Keshena Falls
In the past sturgeon came up the Wolf River this far each spring to spawn, and many years ago Menominees would ride the falls in a canoe for a few coins from tourists. This was the area where the treaty of 1854 was signed by the U.S. government and Menominee Chiefs Osh-kosh and Ke-she-nah, establishing the Menominee Reservation. In 1991, at this location, Wisconsin Governor Thompson and Menominee Tribal Chairman Glen Miller signed the gaming pact to establish the gambling rights for a bingo hall and casino.
9. Spirit Rock
A historical marker explains the legend of this rock.
10. Wolf River Dells and Smokey Falls
This is a very scenic area of the Wolf River and is a must-see for anyone interested in beauty in its natural state. There is a small picnic area available with concession stands and rafting available seasonally.
11. Menominee Tribal Enterprises sawmill
Neopit, WI
In order to keep the large forests intact for the Menominees, the U.S. government agreed to have them mill their own lumber. Since a large area had blown down during a storm, it was decided by an Act of Congress in 1908 to authorize a mill at the Norway dam on the western part of the Wolf River where the new Wisconsin Northern Railroad spanned the river. The town that was erected around the mill was named for Ni''opet, a son of Chief Osh-kosh. By January 1909 the mill began operation and has proved to be a tremendous asset to the Menominee people. The mill has been kept up to modern methods and visitors have come from all over the world to view its operation. Lumber is shipped globally while maintaining the forests. This is done by using a selective logging system on a sustained yield. This method was inaugurated by foresters to Senator Robert LaFollette who got an Act of Congress passed in 1908 establishing the system and providing funds for the mill. Notice a street leading south up a small hill containing a series of small houses built for white people working for the mill at its beginning; this area is known as "White City." The large houses across from the mill were once occupied by the government managers and mill superintendents. Advance reservations required for tours at the mill.
Rafting
Open dates and hours of operation vary by season and water levels. Please call for more information.
10. Big Smokey Falls
20 miles north of Shawano on Hwy 55
(715) 799-3359
12. Shot Gun Eddy's
25 miles north of Shawano on Hwy 55
(715) 882-4461, (920) 494-3782
