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Vilas County, Wisconsin

88 topographic sheets cover 15 settlements here, and 15 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

15 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Wisconsin within the United States
Vilas County within Wisconsin

What the record shows

  • 216 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 15 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 12 buildings and 3 districts.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 15 populated places in this county; 15 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

15

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Anvil Lake Campground Shelterbuilding199696000542
Big Sand Lake Clubbuilding200504001487
Eagle River Downtown Historic Districtdistrict2025100011229
Eagle River Stadiumbuilding199494000650
Everett Resort, Thebuilding200808000982
Fort Eaglebuilding199898001090
Nicolaus H. Hultin Housebuilding199796001582
Jabodonbuilding200909000164
Mayo Schoolbuilding199494000135
Peacock Innbuilding2017100000519
Region Nine Training Schooldistrict199696000890
St. Peter's Catholic Schoolbuilding2018100003008
Ben and Margaret Stone Boathousebuilding200808000017
Sunset Pointbuilding199393001169
Voss' Birchwood Lodgedistrict2018100002554

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

1,757 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 1,757 of them, burning about 1,052 acres. 30 started naturally and 587 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Arson/incendiarism587
Misuse of fire by a minor339
Missing data/not specified/undetermined255
Debris and open burning238
Power generation/transmission/distribution91
Recreation and ceremony81
Equipment and vehicle use59
Natural30
Fireworks28
Smoking25
Other causes20
Railroad operations and maintenance3
Firearms and explosives use1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
28 May 2006Natural80 acresChequamegon-Nicolet National ForestEMILY LAKE
19 May 2012Power generation/transmission/distribution72 acresOttawa National ForestLAND O LAKES FIRE
12 May 2009Debris and open burning46 acresWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesDEERPATH
23 April 1994Arson/incendiarism43 acresChequamegon-Nicolet National Forestnot named
5 May 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined24 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
22 March 2010Arson/incendiarism21 acresGreat Lakes AgencySUNKEN MUSKEG
20 May 2009Power generation/transmission/distribution18 acresWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesBIG ARB FIRE
29 April 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined16 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1958 to 2026

60 of 316 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 316 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 6 injuries and about $29,455,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind169
Hail116
Tornado15
Lightning5
Flood4
Funnel Cloud3
Flash Flood2
Dust Devil1
Heavy Rain1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 1999Thunderstorm WindCountywide2 killed, $1,000,000no account filed
April 1984Tornado (F3)not stated3 hurt, $25,000,000no account filed
June 1969Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
June 1999LightningEagle River1 hurtno account filed
July 1988Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm WindLac du Flambeau$500,000A man was injured when struck by lightning while working on a house roof near Danbury (Burnett county). A severe thunderstorm downed numerous pine trees, some over 100 years old, in Lac du Flambeau (Vilas county). Three trees crushed a home and destroyed it.
June 1999HailEagle River$500,000no account filed
May 2008HailSt Germain$250,000Large hail damaged vehicles and structures near St. Germain. A vehicle dealership on the east side of the city suffered the most extensive damage. Every car on the lot sustained damaged. Every vehicle at a repair shop in town was damaged except for a 1972 Pontiac Lemans. This was likely due to the thicker steel used in the body of the Lemans. One man was unable to get his hand around a hailstone that crashed through the kitchen skylight of his home.
July 1988Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
July 1986Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
July 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1969Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 2004Thunderstorm WindEagle River$200,000no account filed
July 2016Thunderstorm WindPresque Isle$150,000Thunderstorm winds downed hundreds of trees just southeast of Presque Isle, from Crab Lake to Lynx Lake. Five homes sustained damage from fallen trees.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindStarlake$100,000A severe thunderstorm, within a line of storms, produced downburst winds southwest of Conover. Winds of 80 to 90 mph, with higher gusts, snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees, some as large as three feet in diameter, along a 5 mile long path. Several homes and cabins were damaged by the fallen trees. The storm moved over a camp where 650 people were located. The camp staff heard the warning and was able to get everyone to safety before the storm hit. There were no injuries from the storm.
April 1999LightningBoulder Jct$75,000no account filed
July 2016Thunderstorm WindPhelps$50,000Thunderstorm winds downed trees in the Phelps area. One building sustained damage from a fallen tree.
August 1996Thunderstorm WindEagle River$50,000no account filed
July 1995Tornado (F1)Phelps$50,000no account filed
April 1994Tornado (F1)not stated$50,000no account filed
July 2012Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau$40,000A thunderstorm downburst downed at least a dozen large trees on the south shore of White Sand Lake. One of the trees heavily damaged a car; another fell on a cabin and damaged its roof.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindSt Germain$40,000A thunderstorm wind gust downed hundreds of trees and knocked down power lines in St. Germain. At least six homes were damaged by the fallen trees.
August 1988Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1981Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1964Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 2004Thunderstorm WindConover$10,000no account filed
July 2011Flash FloodEagle River$5,000A small section of Highway 70 was flooded in a low-lying area. In addition, a house had one basement wall caved in by high water.
August 1996Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau$5,000no account filed
September 1993Thunderstorm WindArbor Vitae$5,000no account filed
July 1998Thunderstorm WindEagle River$3,000no account filed
July 1997Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau$3,000no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindBoulder Jct$3,000no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindConover$3,000no account filed
August 2013LightningManitowish Waters$2,000Lightning struck an electrical regulator on a house, causing a fire.
August 1996Thunderstorm WindPhelps$2,000no account filed
June 2017FloodLac Du Flambeau$1,000Heavy rainfall caused street flooding in Lac du Flambeau. A spotter in the area measured 6.5 inches of rain for the day.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau$1,000no account filed
August 1997Thunderstorm WindBoulder Jct$1,000no account filed
August 1997Thunderstorm WindStarlake$1,000no account filed
July 1997Thunderstorm WindSt Germain$1,000no account filed
June 1997Thunderstorm WindSayner$1,000no account filed
September 1997Thunderstorm WindLand O Lakes$1,000no account filed
September 1997Thunderstorm WindPhelps$1,000no account filed
September 2019Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau$500Thunderstorm winds broke 1 inch tree limbs and blew shingles off a roof.
May 1994Thunderstorm WindWoodruff$500no account filed
April 2026Thunderstorm WindConover-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines southwest of Phelps. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Winchester. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindPresque Isle-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Presque Isle. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindManitowish Waters-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Manitowish Waters. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindBoulder Jct Arpt-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Boulder Junction. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindSt Germain-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Saint Germain. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindLac Du Flambeau-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Lac Du Flambeau. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindPresque Isle-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines near Presque Isle. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Winchester. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindSt Germain-Thunderstorm winds downed trees in St. Germain. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindConover-Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Conover. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindArbor Vitae Arpt-Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Arbor Vitae. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
June 2024HailLac Du Flambeau-Penny size hail fell in Lac Du Flambeau. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
May 2024HailArbor Vitae Arpt-Half dollar size hail fell in Woodruff.

Mines and quarries

129 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 129 workings inside this county. 9 still produce and 120 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction128
Iron1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Conover DistrictIronUnknown
Anvil Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Arnett Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Big Arbor Vitae Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Big Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Big Portage Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Bittersweet Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Blatkowski PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Boot Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Broken Bow Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Broken Bow Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Broken Bow Lake Pit #3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Carlin Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Carpenter Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Chamberlain Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
County PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Croker Road Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Dakota Rd Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Day Lake Rd Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Decker Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Deer Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Devils Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Duffek Sand & Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Eagle Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Eagle Lake Rd Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Eagle River Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
East Buckatabon Rd Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Edward Thompson Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Eleanore Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Ewald Anderson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Fence Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Flambeau Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Forest Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Forest Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Frank Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Frank Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Gene Lake Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gene Lake Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Hungry Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Ike Walton Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Island Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Jerms Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Johnson Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Jute Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Klondike Lake Gravel DepositSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Kollman Rd Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Lac Des Fleurs Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Lac Des Fleurs Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Lac Du Flambeau Station Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Lac Vieux Desert Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Lac Vieux Desert Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Little Arbor Vitae Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Little Arbor Vitae Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Little Arbor Vitae Lake Pit #3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Little Bateau Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Little Bateau Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Little Bateau Lake Pit #3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Little Bateau Lake Pit #4Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Little John Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Little Papoose Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Little Papoose Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Little Spider Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Long Lake Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Long Lake Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Lost Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Lower Sugarbush Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Manitowish River Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Mann Creek Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Maple Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
McKinney Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Middle Sugarbush Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Military Creek Gravel PittSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Monheim Road Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Mud Creek Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Mud Creek Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Mud Creek Gravel Pit #3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Mud Creek Gravel Pit #4Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Mud Creek Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Muskeg Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Muskrat Creek Road Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Nelson Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
North Twin Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Noseeum Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Nudist Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Ontonagon River Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Palmer Rd Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Palmer Rd Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Phelps Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Phelps Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Phelps Gravel Pit #3Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Phelps Gravel Pit #4Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Pinkeye Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Pioneer Creek Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Pioneer Creek Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Pioneer Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Pioneer Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Pitlick & Wick Inc PitsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Plum Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rade Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Rainbow Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rhinehart Constr., Inc. PitsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Rice Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Richter PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Roach Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Ross Allen Lake PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Shangri La Lane Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Ski Hill Road Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Small Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Spirit Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Star Creek Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Sundstein Road Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Trapp Brothers PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Trapp and Sons PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Trilby Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Trilby Lake Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Trout Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Van Vliet Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Vance Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Vandercook Lake Gravel DepositsSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Vilas County PitsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Vilas County PitsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
West Plum Lake Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wilbert PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Wildcat Lake Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wildcat Lake Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence
Winchester Gravel Pit #1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Winchester Gravel Pit #2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProspect
Wisconsin River Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wishow Lake Rd Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionOccurrence

Every populated place in the county

15

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.