A handful of summer residents began to appear in the Manitowish Waters area in the 1890s, mostly seeking world-class fishing and hunting. At first, camping along the shore of a lake or renting a modest cabin for the summer emerged as the standard accommodations during the late 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, summer residents slowly began to acquire land and enjoying their own summer cabins. With limited railroad access to what will become the community of Manitowish Waters, summer residences along the chain of lakes will develop more slowly than surrounding towns.
After WWI, the construction of highway 10 boosted development along the Manitowish Chain. The Roaring '20s brought more folks to the Northwoods, seeking a permanent family cabin on the chain. Bullish real estate plans were developed, spurred by a soaring stock market that will crash in the fall of 1929. For instance, a huge real estate development was planned on the southeast shore of Rest Lake (to be called Shore Acres) but collapsed. Some found real estate bargains during the Great Depression and joined the growing number of summer residents. Ultimately, the US's victory over the Axis Powers during WWII will launch the rush of modern summer residents in the town of Manitowish Waters.
For more in-depth stories and images regarding Manitowish Waters early summer residents, please select "Full History" below.
