A look at Wilson Creek, Menomonie, WI

Harding Perkins built a dam and mill here in 1822 and it washed out and well...... let's let someone better take a closer look at Wilson Creek from that perspective.

Published in 1909.

Wilson Creek Menomonie

Published in 1910.
Wilson Creek Boat Livery

 Published May 1911

Published in 1911

Wilson Creek and the bridge

See Wilson Creek flood destruction photo here.



It is said that it was better in the old days.   Or that everything is that damn dams fault.  Generalized comments but interesting to hear.  (Apparently Wilson Creek gave the Dells a run for the money by accounts; not kidding!)

It gets weird on that point of being better before the dam (or "a" dam here in Menomonie), especially with that of Wilson Creek.  Apparently it was better WITH that dam and it subsequently never matched splendor without it.  (Even if I thought it was really great this last year in 2018, as every year I have been able to paddle it, but what do I know.)

Now, you know that the Knapp Stout and Co. company was done in 1901 here in Menomonie.  Over the eastern bank near the mouth of Wilson Creek was their steam powered shingle and saw mill.  It appears this building was removed by early 1910 but it left behind the dam on Wilson Creek.  This dam was damaged or washed out in the fall of 1911.  Apparently the loss of the dam really was significant.

Published 1912.

Published 1916

Published 1917

But it reads into the 1920's where Wilson Creek seems to get used still as a recreation spot but there are still news reports that leave the impression that the creek was better years before that.   Some news on the needed dam repairs suggested a new dam on Wilson Creek was  rather desired.

Published 1923

In 1924 forward looking people worked on city acquisition of the north bank of Wilson Creek all the way to the country club to coincide with the upcoming rerouting of U.S. hwy. 12 and their funding and acquisition process is stated to be similar to that of acquiring shore line for the city on Lake Menomin.  ( Could wehave ended up with even less public shoreline than we have today?)

Wilson Creek seems to become more of side note, something to look at as one passes by for a rest stop.  In 1925 the automobile and the Yellowstone Trail was rerouted with the new Wilson Creek bridge (or sometimes called Historic Meadow Hill bridge, parts of which are scattered in uses as signs in Menomonie parks today.   No, I don't think it was better back then.).   It was a major travel and tour thing to have the Wilson Creek bridge and Broadway viaduct installed then.

Published in 1925

An article from 1926 suggested that the badly needed repair on the Wilson Creek dam was approved by NSP but was noted that it was more in the intent of repair instead of construction.   The power company only asked not to be responsible if the dam was destroyed in flood and for any damage a flood could cause the city bridge.   The old wagon bridge and Milwaukee line bridge were removed in 1926.

The commercial value of preserving the beauty of Wilson Creek, with a dam at the mouth, was tied into the fact of the then- new tourist park that is today's Sanna park. (the naming of "Sanna" is another story....)  

Published in 1926

So, in 1911 the dam was washed out, maybe some repair, but 15 years later the "central spot in the country for boating fishing...."?
Was much done on the Wilson Creek dam?   It looks like in 1929 the issue was still present and revisited for discussion and it seems like the plans drawn up years prior were still plans.

Published in 1929

But by 1931 employment was so good and everybody was so busy that the dam was put on hold.  With all the material ready to go when employment was needed this new Wilson Creek dam project was apparently ready to go at a moments notice.

Published 1931

There was talk of, well...,  talk of, a new Red Cedar river bridge and a new Red Cedar dam in some mid-1930's articles and the wait-and-see approach seems to be the course of action. 

Plans for a Wilson Creek park as a W.P.A. project were announced in 1936.  Keen readers will note that this 1936 writing references "Doyle's hill," where few today would recognize this name in modern Menomonie, or where it is.   However, no mention of repair or building of a dam for Wilson Creek, which the loss of that dam seemed to destroy something that was so much better on Wilson Creek in 1911 and before.   And if this 1936 news doesn't rhyme somewhat familiar except with the loss of good access from "Doyle's hill" by trail today.

Published 1936

In 1939, the activity around the mouth of Wilson Creek was that of preparing for the new Red Cedar Bridge that was to start from the front lawn of the LaPointes and curve slightly to meet the existing concrete viaduct that went over the Omaha railroad tracks.

Published in 1939

In 1942 this Red Cedar river bridge was put in place and is used today.  In fact it just had a painting and a deck surface polymer put on it in 2018.  (WOW!)


In 1944 while planning efforts for stream improvements, "old timers" brought the Wilson Creek dam back into discussion.  "Before the floods...." part has me intrigued.   Which in today's Menomonie, the stagnant water may allow for more favorable cyanobacteria growth, but floods are not as recurrent?

Published 1944

Even in the late '40's, N.S.P., the power company, had been hinting at replacing the Red Cedar dam.   Into the early 1950's a new dam was definitely in the works. An ice jam on Wilson Creek posed some threat to the old Red Cedar dam in 1950.

In 1952, Menomonie Rotary was told to fight for the highest lake level possible concerning a new Red Cedar River dam.   The Menomonie Lake Improvement Association, led by Allen Fletcher, was very in favor of the highest, biggest, deepest lake that could be made in Menomonie.   This was the big '50's, afterall.
Of course, Wilson Creek might finally be restored to its historic beauty, it is mentioned.

Published 1952

In 1958, the Men-Aqua Commodore was capped as the new Red Cedar dam was dedicated.   The new George LaPointe park was dedicated.  On the north end of the lake the new Super Highway (I-94) was being built.