Mead Rapids View Park - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
N 44° 23.598 W 089° 49.407
16T E 275131 N 4919435
One of the many green spaces along the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids. This one has a view of the rapids that give the town its name. It also has a clock tower and historical marker.
Waymark Code: WM3APY
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 03/06/2008
Views: 25
The park has a beautiful clock tower, an historical marker, and a beautiful view of the Wisconsin River.
The park is named for George Mead, one of the founders of the Consolidated Paper Company (now owned by New Page Corp.)
The "Grand Rapids of the Wisconsin River" historical marker reads:
Indians called this section of the river Ahdawagam" ~~ the two sided rapids, while lumbermen knew it as "Grand Rapids" ~~ the most treacherous stretch of the river, accentuated by perilous Sherman Rock. Bloomer, Sampson and Strong harnessed the waterpower in 1838 for sawing lumber. The abundant waterpower resulted in other mills being built and communities developed on each bank of the river. Centralia on the west bank and Grand Rapids on the east side were united in 1900 as Grand Rapids and later renamed Wisconsin Rapids.
Ferries spanned the river until a wooden toll bridge was built in 1867, only to be washed out in 1888. On several occasions, the Grand Rapids have been unable to cope with the ice and flood waters with devastating floods resulting; the worst of these being in 1880 and 1935. The flow of water in 1935 reached a record half million gallons per second, accompanied by the cry, "The Biron Dam has gone out."
The last lumber raft passed over the rapids in 1887. In 1901 the numerous waterpower developments on both sides of the river were combined into one company known as Consolidated Water Power Company, a parent company of the present paper mill on the opposite bank of the river. Thus lumbering gave way to papermaking."
Name: Mead Rapids View Park
Street Location: 1st St N
Local Municipality: Wisconsin Rapids
State/Province, etc.: WI
Country: USA
Web Site: [Web Link]
Memorial/Commemoration: George Mead one of the founders of Consolidated Paper Company
Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: Wisconsin River
Traditional Geocaches:
1st stage of multi-stage GCPXWM - Trail of Knowledge
Date Established: Not listed
Picnic Facilities: Not listed
Recreational Facilities: Not listed
Monuments/Statues: Not listed
Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): Not listed
Fountains: Not listed
Special Events: Not listed
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