Northern Waters Museum - Land O’Lakes Wisconsin

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Land O’ Lakes isn’t a bustling city, but a more laid-back town. Considered to be somewhat of a resort town, it is located in the northeastern part of the state, situated on the boarder of Wisconsin and Michigan. Referred to as the Northwoods, this area is not only rich in natural beauty, but history as well.

While there are a number of historic buildings in town, two best represent the town’s history, and the buildings happen to be inter-related.

Your first stop in Land ‘O Lakes would more than likely be at the Northern Waters Museum. Now this unpretentious building has a very interesting beginning. The log building, which houses the museum, was built in 1938 as a ski chalet for the Gateway Lodge. The Lodge is still open today, but the log cabin was moved in 2000 to its current location in the town park, easily accessible from downtown.

The museum is filled with exhibits and collections detailing the history of Vilas County. Typically opening in the late summer, around July and closing after Labor Day, the museum features different exhibits each year; additional information can be found on their website, www.landolakeshistory.org. The exhibits focus on the lifestyle of the past residents in the area, or the rich logging history, detailed by local historians and the local archaeology class.

Opened only three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., the museum is also open during Colorama, a fall festival, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is free, and group tours can be arranged by contacting the museum.

In its heyday, The Gateway Lodge was a popular retreat for famous people. Built in 1938 by a media and arts magnate from Detroit, Michigan., eight buildings made up the property, similar in fashion to today’s all-inclusive resorts.

Today, the Lodge remains at 4103 Highway B. Renovated to bring back the original look, it has 72 rooms. Information about the inn and their rates can be found on their website, www.gateway-lodge.com , or by calling 715-547-3321/800-848-8058. The Gateway Gun Club is still in existence since its beginning back in the late 1930’s. The site hosts annual spring and fall shoots, along with other events. Additional information is available on the Lodge’s website.

As for the other buildings that once made up the rather large Gateway complex, some are still functioning, and parts of some can be found in the town. Aside from the ski chalet-turned-museum, the wood from the ski jump is now on the main building of a supper club. The Gateway Golf Club (2146 Highway B; 715-547-3929) once held the distinctive of being the only course in the U.S. where you could play a round of nine holes in two different states, and is still attracting golfers of all skills. Private planes can land at the Gateway Airport, which back in the 1940’s was only a grass landing strip.