The Manitowish Waters Historical Society and Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts (ICORE) invite the public to celebrate the new Camp Mercer CCC Interpretive trail in an event at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the trailhead located on the west side of Circle Lily Creek on Manitowish River Access Road in Manitowish.
Those attending the November 5 event will hear from Manitowish Waters Historical Society President Jim Bokern and others who were important to the development of the trail. After the event on the trail, attendees are invited to walk a short distance to River’s Edge Outfitters for light refreshments. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the lodge at River’s Edge.
Development of the interpretive trail at Camp Mercer has been a collaborative project of the Northern Highlands American Legion (NHAL) State Forest, the Wisconsin Historical Society and state archaeologists, the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, and ICORE. The new trail includes 23 interpretive signs along a 3.5 mile trail loop with plans for additional signs in the future. The site can be accessed from the Mercer Bike Trail near the Highway 51 wayside or from the west side of Manitowish River Access Road.
“The MWHS is pleased to be part of the Camp Mercer Interpretive Trail that celebrates the fantastic accomplishments by CCC in the Northwoods,” said Bokern. “This American story has deep roots in our communities, with the conservation ethic and hard work of the CCC still visible in our forests, lakes and streams.”
Camp Mercer was established along the banks of the Manitowish River as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 660th Company S-79 in 1933. At its peak, the camp housed over 200 men and served as one of 14 state forestry camps. Their labor provided fire protection, tree planting, lake and stream conservation, and other natural resource protection for Wisconsin’s Northwoods, and the CCC provided work relief and education to young men who arrived from across Wisconsin and beyond. Only one intact structure remains on the site — a dynamite shack — but visitors to the trail will see remnants of Camp Mercer’s roads and foundations as well as evidence of earlier logging camps and other activity. The new interpretive signage helps visitors learn about the history of the site with photos and narratives describing life at Camp Mercer and the people who lived and worked there.
ICORE has entered into a land use agreement with the NHAL to maintain the new Camp Mercer trail, and will conduct trail maintenance activities throughout the year. The Mercer Cross Country Ski Association (MECCA) also provides support for maintenance of the trail.
To learn more about ICORE and how you can help develop and maintain silent sports infrastructure in the Iron County area, visit www.ironcountyoutdoors.org. For more information on this event, email icoretrails@gmail.com or call Teresa at 715-208-0257.
