Category: News and Events

Eagle Scout project honors veterans buried in Crandon Lakeside Cemetery

An Eagle Service Project, the culmination of a Scout’s commitment to an intensive advancement program, must demonstrate leadership of others while benefitting the scout’s community, school or another non-profit organization.  It is estimated that Eagle Projects contribute approximately 3 million hours of community service every year.

Local veteran’s-service organizations have loyally marked the graves of servicemen at Lakeside for many years but the lists they use to locate the graves are incomplete, inaccurate and confusing.  With the guidance of local UW-Madison Division of Extension Positive Youth Development Educator and Historical Society president, Michelle Gobert, Bradley reviewed those outdated materials and lead family members and his fellow Scouts from Crandon Troop 649 in confirming and correcting information on-site.  He then developed an online database that includes the block and lot location of each veteran.

The main point of Bradley’s presentation was that his project is not a finished product, rather it provides a base for more information and corrections to the existing list.  “There are actually people that are on the list who don’t belong there and a LOT who should be on the list but are not”, he said.  The Society is hoping to schedule some organized efforts to continue Bradley’s work.  In the meantime, we encourage the public to visit the site.  Visitors can search for friends and family members and will find a form on which they can provide additions and corrections.

Searching the database is easy. The database is online and veterans are listed by lot number but can be easily searched by last name.  While the primary goal of the list is to provide a more accurate and complete tool for locating graves, the database has future potential to store biographies, obituaries and other documents pertaining these brave men and women.  The database also includes a suggestion form for capturing information that may be missing from the database. Please direct any questions about the project and/or the database to Michelle at 715-478-7797 or forestctyhistory@gmail.com

History on Tap : Our Living Ancestors

The Crandon Area Historical Society is pleased to announce its Monday, December 3rd “History on Tap” program will feature Wisconsin author and naturalist John Bates beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the historic Hotel Crandon restaurant and bar. The program will feature John’s newest book titled Our Living Ancestors: the History and Ecology of Old-growth Forests in Wisconsin and Where to Find Them.

Old-growth forests touch the soul of many people. Some hear the echoes of Native Americans or the first settlers. Some feel the great age of the trees and revere them, while others feel they are in the presence of an overwhelmingly rare beauty. Still others understand the profound scientific value of old-growth forests as reference systems for what forests can be.

Despite the remarkable emotional appeal and scientific value of old-growth forests, they are rare in Wisconsin. Only 0.3% of Wisconsin’s old-growth forests remain, but these scattered, small parcels still retain their ability to amaze hikers with their size, beauty, and elegance.

Bates, the author of nine books and a contributor to seven others, has worked as a naturalist in Wisconsin’s Northwoods for 29 years. Copies of his book will be on sale after the program and will make the perfect Christmas for many people on your list!

History on Tap is free of charge and is open to all ages. Complimentary snacks will be provided. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for sale. History on Tap is sponsored by the Crandon Area Historical Society and the Hotel Crandon. For more information, please contact Michelle at 715-478-7797.

Historic Walk and Talk a Success!

On Friday, October 26th approximately 120 peopleattended the Crandon Area Historical Society Walk and Talk featuring members of the Crandon School District’s drama team and Crandon High School band. The weather was perfect for a night on the town, and attendees heard stories researched and written by historical society members and student researchers.  A few of the stories got a few laughs, but mostly participants enjoyed listening to the history of our city’s main street including the 1903, 1905 and 1912 fires that destroyed portions of Lake avenue.  A good reminder as to why we support our city fire department! 

Mrs. Alicia Bradley, Drama club adviser, and Mrs. Amy Buckovic, assistant, also dressed the part and encouraged the actors and actresses to speak up as main street traffic was a little nosier than expected.  It is anticipated that the funds raised at the event will be used to purchase portable microphones for future tours. 


Our tour guides for the evening were community members Jill Krueger and Tammy Stroik, dressed as classical 1940’s Crandon Women’s Club members. 

For those of you who may have had a difficult time hearing the stories, or missed the event altogether, will be excited to know that the scripts for the event will be available online soon and printed copies of the scripts will be available at the Crandon Public Library.  Photos of downtown Crandon, including the Opera House fire, can be seen in the windows of the Pioneer Express.  Thanks Mike for sharing these! 

Overall, the event was a great success with our youth and community members actively learning about what makes Crandon a unique hometown.  For more information about the Crandon Area Historical Society, please contact Michelle Gobert at 715-478-7797.