Search our Places Database

Cherokee, Village of

Return To List of Locations | Back to Search

For more information on this location, please contact our research library.

Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 28 N. - R. 2 E., Sec. 13 & 24, Township of Hull

Background:

The area known as Cherokee is located about 5 miles east of Colby on the banks of the Eau Pleine River. It is possibly the first place in Hull Township to be inhabited by settlers who came up the river and settled just south of the present county park.

Charles Thrum built a water-powered sawmill and boarding house in 1860. The mill and dam were located about 1/4 mile south of the present County Hwy. N bridge. After a flood destroyed the first mill, a second was built about 1872 by Paul Umhoefer, who also built the Cherokee Store and Grist Mill. He named the settlement Cherokee after his birthplace of Cherokee, Iowa.

With the coming of automobiles, Cherokee was on the road from Colby to Wausau. Named Hwy. 16 in 1918, it was also known as the Yellowstone Trail because it was a well-known route to Yellowstone Park. Later it was changed to Temporary 29 and then to County Hwy. N.

Cherokee Park began as a picnic ground on land donated by Henry Rein, who operated a store and tavern. A dance pavillion was located on the bank of the river. It was replaced by a round dance pavillion. Later, Ed Fricke built a large dance hall south of the tavern which was the scene of many meetings, dances, parties, and weddings. These were discontinued in about 1940. In 1932, Marathon County acquired parcels of land north of the bridge and formed Cherokee Park.

Many years ago, an old Indian trail on the west bank of the river was used by Indians from farther north when they came for swapping pelts and getting supplies from the first settlers.

Post Office Established:
See Hull Township

Business:

In addition to Umhoefer's Store and mill, Fred Kleese built a blacksmith shop, buggy shed and horse barn.

American Society of Equity, which became Harmony Co-operative Produce Co., dates back to 1915. It purchased and sold seed to farmers.

See Background and Township of Hull

Industry:

See Background and Township of Hull