Rusk County Visitor Guide
Travel Guide Travel Guide
MUSEUMS & SHOPPING Learn. Uncover. Browse. Enjoy.RUSK COUNTY’S INTRIGUING ATTRACTIONSRAIL HISTORYThe tracks of railroad history lead to this land of rivers, and trainlovers will find a lot to discover. Many of the communities inRusk County were established during the heyday of the timberindustry, when the woodlands were filled with logging campsand rivers and railroads were the primary means of getting thelogs to market.Timber was harvested and floated on the rivers to mills orhauled by railroads. From the county’s many bridges and parks,you can take in river views and see where scores of logs wereonce floated to market. Railroads were also responsible forshipping out finished lumber, and they carried businesspeopleand settlers to the area. They were an important part of life inRusk County, and continued to grow after logging and still havea presence today. Over the decades, railroads evolved withadvances in technology—from steam to diesel, from passengerservice to only freight. You’ll find the legacy of these trains inthe rail corridors that cross Rusk County’s communities. Travelaround Ladysmith and you can see railroad displays thatillustrate major changes in the railroad industry.Railway displaysFOR TRAIN ENTHUSIASTSOld Smoky: Steam Engine – Westgate Plaza, Lake Avenue/U.S. Highway 8.Soo Line Diesel 550R Engine, Post Office Express Car 552,Passenger Baggage Car 358, First Class Coach 998,Soo Line Caboose: Refurbished inside and out, locatedat the Rusk County Visitor Center.Box car and caboose: Recently remodeled boxcar andcaboose are open to the public during the summer seasonor by request at the Rusk County Visitor Center on StateHighway 27, two blocks south of U.S. Highway 8.Hand car and baggage wagon: Located by the FlambeauRiver near the bridge on U.S. Highway 8, in Ladysmith.RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUMThe Rusk County Historical Society operates the Rusk CountyHistorical Museum, which is located in Ladysmith at the RuskCounty Fairgrounds. The museum has a wide variety of displays,including logging history, antique farm machinery, rail history,artifacts from World War I and World War II, antiques andmedical exhibits. The exhibits are displayed in multiple buildings,which include a replica of the Gates County Courthouse, LittleRed Schoolhouse, and Log Cabin, along with the Henry Golatbuilding, which serves as a welcome center and repository forresearch documents.The most recent addition to the county’s historical offerings isEd’s Machine Shed–Wisconsin’s Plow Museum, which featuresover 40 vintage restored plows and tractors.SHOPPINGWhile you’re visiting this land of four rivers, set aside sometime to visit the area’s unique shops and specialty stores. RuskCounty’s retailers offer everything you need for your vacation,getaway or river adventure. Plus, you’ll find an array of oneof-a-kindgifts, fine art and handcrafted items. In Ladysmith,you’ll find several unique shops. Browse home decor, jewelry,souvenirs and gifts. You can also find sporting goods and allthe items you’ll need on your adventures on the rivers and inthe Blue Hills.12Museums & Shopping - Learn. Uncover. Browse. Enjoy.ruskcountywi.com
ARTSPaint. Create. Sculpt. Inspire.SEE INSPIRATION FLOWRusk County’s four wild rivers and beautiful forests, hillsand farmland have long drawn artists to the region. Today,many fine artists and craftspeople call Rusk County home.You can explore the work of these talented artists in shopsand galleries in Ladysmith and throughout the area. Explorepaintings, woodworking, stained glass, pottery and more.Several annual events and festivals also feature originalpieces by local artists.TOAD HOUSE is an eclectic shop located on U.S. Highway 8(Lake Avenue) one block east of the intersection of U.S.Highway 8 & State Highway 27. Toad House features the workof many local artists, hosts art classes and includes a coffeeshop and bakery.The FLAMBEAU VALLEY ARTS ASSOCIATION brings a numberof national touring musical acts and dramatic performances toRusk County. Performances are generally held at the LadysmithHigh School auditorium. In the summertime, check out Musicin the Park, held on Thursday evenings in Memorial Park inLadysmith.The RUSK AREA ARTS ALLIANCE promotes fine arts throughoutthe county with special events.Don’t miss ART ALONG THE FLAMBEAU, an art tour thattakes place every June. The event celebrates Rusk County’sthriving arts scene with stops showcasing works of artistsfrom the Holcombe and Ladysmith areas. The event featuresdemonstrations, live performances, studio tours and more.In their wordsFOR THE ART LOVER“The arts community is alive and growing, enriching the quality of life in Rusk County. The Rusk Area Arts Alliance has over65 members, artists and arts organizations, each contributing to the vibrancy of our community. We are fortunate to havethe Flambeau Valley Arts Association bring professional performing artists to our small, rural area and fortunate to havethe Ladysmith Downtown Main Street Program promoting music events. We encourage everyone to take advantage of thewonderful arts offerings our community has to offer.”—Nancy Wheeler, president, Rusk Area Arts Alliance800-535-RUSK Arts - Paint. Create. Sculpt. Inspire. 13
- Page 1: RuskCountyWI.com
- Page 4 and 5: 4Four rivers - Jump. Chippewa. Flam
- Page 6 and 7: FISHING & BOATINGCast. Reel. Catch.
- Page 8 and 9: ATVING & SNOWMOBILING Cruise. Ride.
- Page 10 and 11: BLUE HILLSHike. Ski. Ride. Trek.SEC
- Page 14 and 15: GEOCACHING,GOLFING & HUNTINGSearch.
- Page 16 and 17: AGRITOURISMTaste. Sample. Tour. Dis
- Page 18 and 19: Pigeon CreekFlowageBass Lake!#! Fi
- Page 20 and 21: COMMUNITIESCITY OF LADYSMITHShare.
- Page 22 and 23: LADYSMITHFRESH MARKET22ADVERTISEMEN
- Page 24 and 25: 24ADVERTISEMENTS - Shop. Stay. Dine
- Page 26 and 27: 26ADVERTISEMENTS - Shop. Stay. Dine
- Page 28 and 29: 28ADVERTISEMENTS - Shop. Stay. Dine
- Page 30 and 31: 30ADVERTISEMENTS - Shop. Stay. Dine
- Page 32 and 33: LISTINGSSelect. Rest. Taste. Enjoy.
- Page 34 and 35: RETAIL & SERVICES CONTINUEDCoNtact
- Page 36: RUSK COUNTY TOURISM205 W. 9th Stree
MUSEUMS & SHOPPING Learn. Uncover. Browse. Enjoy.
RUSK COUNTY’S INTRIGUING ATTRACTIONS
RAIL HISTORY
The tracks of railroad history lead to this land of rivers, and train
lovers will find a lot to discover. Many of the communities in
Rusk County were established during the heyday of the timber
industry, when the woodlands were filled with logging camps
and rivers and railroads were the primary means of getting the
logs to market.
Timber was harvested and floated on the rivers to mills or
hauled by railroads. From the county’s many bridges and parks,
you can take in river views and see where scores of logs were
once floated to market. Railroads were also responsible for
shipping out finished lumber, and they carried businesspeople
and settlers to the area. They were an important part of life in
Rusk County, and continued to grow after logging and still have
a presence today. Over the decades, railroads evolved with
advances in technology—from steam to diesel, from passenger
service to only freight. You’ll find the legacy of these trains in
the rail corridors that cross Rusk County’s communities. Travel
around Ladysmith and you can see railroad displays that
illustrate major changes in the railroad industry.
Railway displays
FOR TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS
Old Smoky: Steam Engine – Westgate Plaza, Lake Avenue/
U.S. Highway 8.
Soo Line Diesel 550R Engine, Post Office Express Car 552,
Passenger Baggage Car 358, First Class Coach 998,
Soo Line Caboose: Refurbished inside and out, located
at the Rusk County Visitor Center.
Box car and caboose: Recently remodeled boxcar and
caboose are open to the public during the summer season
or by request at the Rusk County Visitor Center on State
Highway 27, two blocks south of U.S. Highway 8.
Hand car and baggage wagon: Located by the Flambeau
River near the bridge on U.S. Highway 8, in Ladysmith.
RUSK COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Rusk County Historical Society operates the Rusk County
Historical Museum, which is located in Ladysmith at the Rusk
County Fairgrounds. The museum has a wide variety of displays,
including logging history, antique farm machinery, rail history,
artifacts from World War I and World War II, antiques and
medical exhibits. The exhibits are displayed in multiple buildings,
which include a replica of the Gates County Courthouse, Little
Red Schoolhouse, and Log Cabin, along with the Henry Golat
building, which serves as a welcome center and repository for
research documents.
The most recent addition to the county’s historical offerings is
Ed’s Machine Shed–Wisconsin’s Plow Museum, which features
over 40 vintage restored plows and tractors.
SHOPPING
While you’re visiting this land of four rivers, set aside some
time to visit the area’s unique shops and specialty stores. Rusk
County’s retailers offer everything you need for your vacation,
getaway or river adventure. Plus, you’ll find an array of oneof-a-kind
gifts, fine art and handcrafted items. In Ladysmith,
you’ll find several unique shops. Browse home decor, jewelry,
souvenirs and gifts. You can also find sporting goods and all
the items you’ll need on your adventures on the rivers and in
the Blue Hills.
12
Museums & Shopping - Learn. Uncover. Browse. Enjoy.
ruskcountywi.com
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