On the west side of Neillsville, a beautiful expanse of trees, flowers, and trails at the Listeman Arboretum provides a peaceful escape into nature for residents and visitors to Central Wisconsin. A new historical marker recently placed at the entrance tells the early beginnings of the community of Neillsville. Also being installed is an information kiosk to further educate visitors about the community’s historic buildings.
“It tells of the early beginnings of the community, beginning with the first white men who came to be known as the ‘Mormon Loggers’,” said Mary Jurgaitis, Spokesperson of Remembering the Mormon Loggers of the Wisconsin Pineries Mission.
She explained how the majestic white pine attracted these settlers, who needed lumber to build their temple and most of their town more than 400 miles away in Nauvoo, IL.
“No one was living or logging in this area, so all the trees where basically virgin and accessible because they were right along the streams in the area,” she said. “The majestic white pine is very important to the history of Neillsville. We are very fortunate to live in this beautiful spot in Clark County Wisconsin!”
The marker also tells that in 1845, those same water highways, great trees and clearings attracted James O’Neill to what is now O’Neill Creek. By 1855, O’Neill had cleared 50 acres and platted four acres for a village. Logging pushed Neillsville’s population from 250 people in 1860 to 2,104 by 1900. As the nation’s expanding need for lumber brought the railroad into Neillsville in 1887, it also brought new industries. Factories and businesses were created, as were downtown businesses and grand residences.
“Many of these buildings and homes can still be seen in Neillsville today, all because of the majestic white pine,” said Jurgaitis.
Working with the Wisconsin Historical Society to bring the marker to Neillsville, Jurgaitis is excited to encourage visitors to explore the history of her community, including the 30+ designated historic buildings in the small town alone.
“Many people actively seek out historic markers as part of a vacation,” she said. “One of my hopes is that the marker will help create Neillsville as a tourist destination which can add to the economy of our community.”
To commemorate the addition, a ceremony of dedication/celebration will take place on Saturday, September 10 at 1:00pm at the marker.
“The event can help our community learn more about the community that they may not have known before, bring our community together to foster a feeling of pride in this little space of earth that we live on, and promote the community so that others would be invited to come and enjoy it,” she said, adding that more features are being planned, including a canoe landing and a walking/biking trail.
Parking for part of the event will be available at Strike Time Lanes, on Hwy 73 south just off of Hwy 10 (Division Street). Shuttle service will be available.
After the ceremony, all are invited to the CART center at 201 E 4th Street in Neillsville for Appetizers and entertainment until 3:00 pm. The appetizers will be prepared by the culinary arts department of CART. The entertainment will reflect the historical nature of the city of Neillsville.
