The historical connection between logging and the railroad industry is the subject of a presentation at the newly restored Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum. Brad Pagels, a logging railroad expert, will present Tracks in the Timber at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the museum, located off County Road F, just east of Lakewood.
Pagels will tell how railroads, introduced to the Northwoods by W.A. Holt in 1903, changed the way logging was done. Pagels documented his research in a short book and developed an educational program that includes rare photos of the period. Pagels, of Eagle River, is employed by Pukall Lumber in Woodruff.
“For several years I have found old rail beds throughout Oconto County, and in 2003 I began my personal quest in finding out what these railroads were all about,” Pagels said. “With information from historical resources and fellow historians, I have explored and evaluated the conditions of what were once logging railroads.”
“We believe our museum provides the perfect setting to introduce Brad and his amazing work,” camp curator Kathleen Marsh said.
The oldest of its kind still sitting where it was built, the Holt & Balcom Camp opened in 1881 and operated until 1927. It was restored by the McCaslin Lions from 1975-83 and by the Friends of the Logging Camp, a subgroup of the Oconto County Historical Society, from 2007-2013.
Camp tours will begin at noon.
A donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12 is requested. Donations are used for museum maintenance.
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