A 130-year-old log rescued from Reservoir Pond in Townsend is now safely ensconced in its new home at the Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum in Lakewood.
Donated by Debbie and Kyle Roeser, of Green Bay, the log has a U and a D clearly marked in two places, identifying it as an original log from the (Uri) Balcom and (Devillo) Holt Lumber Company. The log was taken down with a two-man crosscut saw, indicating it was cut after 1880 when that tool was introduced to the logging industry. It was most likely cut prior to 1887 when Holt bought out Balcom and use of the U and D blaze (stamp) was discontinued.
Jeff Radish, owner of Radish Crane Company, Townsend, transported and positioned the log.
“We are so grateful to Jeff for donating his services. He expertly loaded the log, hauled it out to the museum, and carefully inched it into place,” camp curator Kathleen Marsh said.
The artifact sits on a stand built by volunteers Bruce Beno. Beno, Jon Marsh and camp manager Bob Brown helped position the log. Brown is in charge of the preservation process.
Former camp manager Norb Langer is doing research on the log. He has asked Forest Service personnel in the Lakewood office to verify the species and determine the age of the tree when it was cut.
“We know it will be of great interest to future visitors, especially the hundreds of area fourth-graders who tour the museum each spring as part of their study of Wisconsin history,” Langer said. “This is truly a precious and rare relic of 19th century northwoods history, and it is exciting for us to be able to add it to our collection.”
The first large group to view the log will be members of the Wisconsin Woodlands Association. Their visit on Sept. 19 is part of an optional tour offered to those attending the WWA convention at the Potawatomi Casino and Hotel in Carter.
Later that evening, the museum will provide the after-dinner entertainment, “Letters from the Logging Camp,” a play written by Kathleen Marsh.
The final Holt & Balcom Logging Camp Museum event of 2014 is the third annual Red Light Saloon to be held at 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Townsend Town Hall. This year’s show, “The Homesteader’s Fraulein,” pays tribute to the hardy immigrants who settled in northern Oconto County during the final decade of the 19th century.
Tours of the camp, located one mile east of Lakewood on County Road F, are offered Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The museum is closed for the season, but private tours can be arranged by calling Brown, 715-276-3505, or Marsh, 715-276-6515.
Categories
