State Park Movement in Wisconsin "Interstate Park"
Posted by: 
frankhj
N 45° 23.767 W 092° 38.654
15T E 527846 N 5027017
State Park Movement in Wisconsin Marker in Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls. Marker is by the Visitor/Information building inside the park.
Waymark Code: WM1WH1
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 07/20/2007
Views: 41
In 1878 the Legislature set aside 50,000 acres of "Public Trust Fund Lands" as a "State Park". These were scattered timbered lands located in Lincoln, Iron, Vilas and Oneida Counties. Because no effort was make to develop these lands, the Legislature of 1897 rescinded its previous actions and during subsequent years the lands were sold.
Many Wisconsin citizens at that time believed that areas of state-wide significance should be acquired for the use and inspiration of the people. Here at the Dalles of the St. Croix this public interest first took form. Harry D. Baker of St. Croix Falls and George H. Hazard of Taylors Falls headed groups from their respective states for acquiring land on both sides of the river for an Interstate Park. In 1895 their efforts caused the Wisconsin Legislature to authorize a "Commission for the Interstate Park at the Dalles of the St. Croix". Under its direction in 1900, the first land was acquired.
Still dedicated to the original concepts for public use, State Parks have now been developed in all parts of the state. They include sites of historic, archeologic, and geologic value as well as thousands of acres of the finest natural scenery in Wisconsin.
County: Polk
Location: Park
MarkerID: 143
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Visit Instructions:
- A picture of the marker with your GPSr or you holding your GPSr.