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| World's Largest Pulp Wood Stacker |
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location: Cornell
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| record holder / roadside oddity |
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"It is believed to be the last known stacker of its kind in the world. The stacker was used from 1913 until 1972. It was simply a device that was used to stack the pulp wood after being sawed into the desired lengths for processing. The smaller pulp wood sticks were then floated under ground through a system of sluices to the grinder room of the paper mill. It is being preserved by the community as a monument of the area's logging era. The structure stands 175 ft. tall."
– section from Cornell Area Tourism website
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 on north side of Highway 64 in Cornell at stacker site in Mill Yard Park
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| Mona Lisa Barn Mural |
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location: Cornell
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| lost landmark / barn art |
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| photo courtesy of Getty Images |
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| Once a landmark that graced the cover of books with its depiction of DaVinci's masterwork sporting a Wisconsin Badgers t-shirt, the barn has now apparently been painted over. As you can see from the photos above, the original image had faded over the years, despite changing Mona's t-shirt to reflect the current Wisconsin football craze. |
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| photo courtesy of Ohio Barns |
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| photo courtesy of Thom.org |
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(painted-over barn is 9 miles east of town on north side of Highway 64)
was at: 5140 Highway 64
Cornell, WI 54433
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| In this enhanced photo, the faint image of the Mona Lisa is visible through the white paint. Perhaps in the future a restoration project will occur to bring her back to her former glory. |
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| Halfway Between Equator and North Pole |
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location: Cadott
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| self-designation / geographical marker |
| This sign commemorates the town's existence near the 45th parallel, which is exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole. Hoist a few in celebration. (Better than being in Butternut at the 46th parallel, right?)
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in Riverview park on the west side of Highway 27
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"This 10 1/2 foot eagle was erected in remembrance of "OLD ABE"...The story of Old Abe began in 1861 when the Chippewa Indians traded and eaglet to Dan McCann of Jim Falls. Mr. McCann raised the eagle as a pet and then provided the young eagle to the Eau Claire Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, being formed for duty in the Civil War. The regiment changed its name from Badger to Eagle and the bird was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. Old Abe accompanied the 8th Infantry in 37 battles and engagements and then was returned to Madison, Wisconsin where he died during an 1881 fire. His likeness is still displayed in the Wisconsin State Capitol building."
– section from Cornell Area Tourism website
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The statue is near the NSP power station on the banks of the Chippewa River in Jim Falls. The trail runs between Chippewa Falls and Cornell.
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"The Holcombe Indian was known to river men along the Chippewa since 1876. Called the King of the Chippewa River, he stood guard on the old Holcombe (Little Falls) Dam and was a most welcome site to lumberjacks driving their logs down the river...The Indian brave was created by Luke Lyons using an axe, drawshave and a pocket knife....During a flood in 1881, the Holcombe Indian was dislodged from his place on the dam and over the falls and rapids he went, down the river all the way to Jim Falls where he was rescued. He was repaired and returned to the Holcombe Dam site where he remained until the dam was abandoned and a new modern hydroelectric power plant was built. As a symbol through the years, the brave has been the guardian spirit of loggers and of the mighty Chippewa River."
– section from Chippewa County Tourism website
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Holcombe Town Hall Park
Holcombe, WI 54745
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| Wisconsin Veterans Tribute |
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location: Cadott
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| memorial |
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| A Cobra chopper, cannon, tank and naval gun are on display along with many military flags (dating back to the Civil War) and monuments in an outdoor memorial. |
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(alongside parking lot of River Country Plaza at southwest corner of Highway 29 & Highway 27 just off the SR29 exit)
647 Highway 27
Cadott, WI 54727
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War Memorials of Wisconsin
warmemorials.us
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State Trunk Tour
www.statetrunktour.com
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River Country Co-op
www.rivercountrycoop.com
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Wisconsin Historical Markers
wisconsinhistoricalmarkers.
blogspot.com
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The Historical Marker Database
www.hmdb.org
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The Chippewa Herald
article "The story behind the poem on Cadott monument"
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“More Than A Name On A Wall”
video by hrvbcoach
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| Cadotte Trading Post Site |
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| Fur Traders Statue |
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location: Cadott
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| historical site / roadside oddity |
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"CADOTTE TRADING POST SITE -- In 1787, Michel Cadotte, famous Madeline Island fur trader, had a trading post nearby on the Yellow River. Here Michel Jr. was born, and another son, Jean Baptiste, is said to be buried on the river's bank. Robert Marriner built a dam at "Cadotte Falls" in 1885 and later named the village Cadott to honor the French-Indian fur traders."
– section from inscription on sign next to statue
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sign & statue in Riverview park on west side of Highway 27 near the "Halfway Between Equator & North Pole" sign
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One-Lane Cobban Bridge
old "wagon bridge" with wood plank floor
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location: Jim Falls
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| unique infrastructure |
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"The Cobban Bridge, constructed in 1908 by the Modern Steel Structural Company of Waukesha, is a two-span Pennsylvania overhead truss type bridge and is the oldest of its kind in Wisconsin."
– section from Chippewa County Tourism website
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5 miles north of Jim Falls on Highway 78 at intersection with County Road TT
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| Halfway Between Equator and North Pole...again |
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location: Tilden
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| self-designation / geographical marker |
Much like the nearby town of Cadott, the township of Tilden proudly displays its own roadside proclamation of geographical superiority.
"No, We're halfer!"
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on Highway 53 in Tilden, 6 miles north of intersection with Highway 29
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Rusty Rooster Statue
at the River Inn Bar
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location: Chippewa Falls
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| roadside oddity |
The metal fowl proudly symbolizes the fine chicken wing meals for which the bar is known.
I guess that the bar's Facebook page has another name for the statue. |
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10418 State Highway 29
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
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Big Steer Statues
at Heckel's Family Restaurant
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location: Chippewa Falls
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| roadside oddity |
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| The Big Steer has moved from Hastings Way in Eau Claire to its new digs south of Chippewa Falls. Apparently it did not lose its large cheese hat en route. The other bovine is still on a trailer. Is it here to stay permanently to keep the Cheesehead Cow company? I would have found out but I had to get home to watch "24". Jack Bauer doesn't wait for petty inquiries. |
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2621 S Prairie View Rd.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
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Murray, the Big Mouse Statue
at the Red Zone Sports Bar
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location: Chippewa Falls
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| roadside oddity |
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| Igor? Is that you? The famous Fennimore (Grant County) cheese store rodent has a twin here in Chippewa County. His relatively tiny paws reach out for the cheese wedge that was meant to accompany this statue, but all it can grasp for today is this Mustang. |
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2071 S Prairie View Rd.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
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Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
article "Off Beat: Big mouse finds its way around Chippewa Valley" or archived (here)
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Dave Metza's Postmen
PRIVATE PROPERTY
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location: Chippewa Falls
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| roadside oddity / yard art / outsider artist |
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| A tribe of primitive postmen are scattered about the hills and paths near the Chippewa River. Several sculptures cobbled together from discarded items adorning wooden posts can be seen in the area, but many are hidden on private property. Look to the east near the intersection and you may catch sight of one of these elusive beings. |
 Click here for MORE PHOTOS
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near the intersection of Highway 178 & 120th Avenue
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Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com
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| The Lake Wissota Mermaid |
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location: Chippewa Falls
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| aquatic oddity / local legend |
The small island of rocks in Little Lake Wissota had been known as "Mermaid Island" for many years. According to the book Chippewa Falls Main Street, a life-size "mermaid" was set up there by some unknown locals back in 1984. This could be the same figure spotted by Missy Ojibway-Machotka as a child (see story link at right).
That mermaid didn't last the test of time, but a more durable statue was placed there in the spring of 2006. This time, a thief made off with the landmark to the chagrin of lake visitors and residents at the start of the fishing season.
Perhaps the mermaid will return one day. |
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was at: Mermaid Island can be seen to the south of County Road X.
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| image courtesty of Mon1ca on Flickr |
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“The Lake Wissota Mermaid”
(story originally appeared in the Chippewa Valley Hidden Treasures magazine)
www.cvhiddentreasures.com or archived (here)
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WEAU TV
Locals Say Stolen Mermaid Case Sounds Fishy. or archived (here)
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Scrap Metal Sculptures
at Vic's Visions
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location: Holcombe
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| scrap metal art / roadside oddity / outsider artist |
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| Evidence of Vic Rouleau's ingenuity and skill are in full view of the highway. His welded creations include animals, both modern and prehistoric, as well as a variety of plant types. |
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Click here for MORE PHOTOS
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27667 State Highway 27
Holcombe, WI 54745
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Raised Backwards Steer
at Crescent Meats
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location: Cadott
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| roadside oddity |
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| In the vast majority of cases, when a fiberglass animal statue is placed on an elevated location, the beast faces the roadway in order to greet visitors with its pleasant visage. At family-owned crescent meats, however, their stationary bovine presents its posterior to passers-by, not as a rude gesture but more of a courteous display of the choicest cuts available for you to purchase...I'm guessing. |
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15332 State Highway 27
Cadott, WI 54727
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Bookmark the Wisconsinosity home page! wisconsinosity.com
2588 Hallie Rd.
228 Helgerson St.
