Cumberland, Wisconsin

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The City of Cumberland has a colorful and interesting history. Before the European immigration began the Ojibwa or Anishinable (the Indian tribal name meaning Wood People) inhabited these lands. They lived on the island of Beaver Dam Lake about 1859-1860.
In 1874, Funder O’Dahlby, of Stevens Point, WI., became interested in a home-stead. O’Dahlby, along with others, took a chance on homesteading the land sight unseen. He selected a tract of about 80 acres on an island in Beaver Dam Lake. The Ojibwa call the lake “Way-ko-ne-ma-daw-wang-gog” meaning Lake of the Beavers. This is the present site of Cumberland. His family built a small log cabin 18’ x 18’ and it was located about 200’ north of the present grade school. Others followed and settled on the island.

A post office was established April 26, 1876 in Section 10, three miles east of the island, with L.L. Gunderson as postmaster. In July of 1878 he moved to the island and brought the Post Office with him.

Many different nationalities settled in the Cumberland area. Some started farming, others worked in logging camps or in the many mills. Cumberland was well known the for Italian people and their culture. Many of them were hired by the railroad. Even after the railroad was completed many stayed on as employees of the railroad. Others bought a few acres of land and started small farms of 10 to 15 acres. They worked hard. Some started businesses on the south end of the city. Their settlement had many families who retained customs of their native land.

Cumberland owes much of its existence to the logging and lumber industry. There were large mills in 1879-1880. Cumberland, at that time had a population of 1486 and was credited with more small mills than any other area in the country. The railroad established in 1878 made all this possible….

Present day Cumberland is a trading center for a wide area of farm and resort country. It’s population is a little over 2000 and is primarily on the island in Beaver Dam Lake. It has several important industries, 3M, Seneca, Ardisam Inc., and the American Tool Company.

The people have tried to preserve some of the Italian cultures, victorian charms and it’s scenic and recreational advantages. They have tried to preserve its air of easy-going, friendliness, and hospitality.

There are more than 50 lakes located within a 10 mile radius of the city. As a result there is a wide choice of activities and accommodations. The city has two fine parks, Eagle Point, for camping, and the Tourist Park for swimming and picnicing.

In order to understand and be part of Cumberland, you should know some of the stories and traditions. First would be the location called the “rice beds.: This is in Beaver Dam Lake and is a submerged island covered with a foot of water, and is west of Eagle Point. It is covered with a heavy growth of rushes, and in bygone days some mistook it for wild rice. This landmark has been know as the “rice beds” ever since. No rice grows in Beaver Dam because the lake has an outlet but no inlet. Hay River starts at Beaver Dam Lake, and is all spring fed.

At one time Cumbeland was a town of questionable repute with many saloons and brawls and fights were quite common. It became worse, as time passed, until the territory served by the St. Paul railroad became known as “Cumberland, Hayward, Hurley and Hell”. Hurley was at the end of the line. Cumberland took steps quite early to clean up and bring law and order. A group of people introduced a “St. Paul cop” to clean up the town. A saloon keeper named Paulson was known as the “King of Cumberland:, and the Marshall had to take care of him. He challenged him to a slugfest and the “King” agreed to leave town if he lost the fight. It was a bloody fight in which the “King” went down. Cumberland had taken its first step to becoming a peaceful city.

In the early days a circus came to town with a big parade and big-top tent. They had wild animals and of course, elephants. One big elephant, Tom-Tom, drowned near the bridge east of town on Highway 48.

For many years, Cumberland has had a 4th of July celebration. The tourist park is filled with people where they enjoy games, food, beverages and music. It’s a 4th of July in the best of tradition. In the evening there is a huge fireworks display and many view the fireworks from boats on the lake. Beaver Dam is an important part of summer celebrations, this lake is 100 feet deep and over 1396 acres in area.

In the fall the Rutabaga Festival is the big event. A queen is selected, a contest to find the “Golden Baga” is held and distance runners and bikers also have a race with over 1000 competitors. It is a real reunion of people of the area and brings in visitors from all over the country and former residents return. There are a variety of events including hot pepper eating contest, basketball shoot out, children’s olympics, run/walk/walk race, a carnival for the children, live entertainment every night for the adults along with a beer garden, and to wrap it all up a Grande Parade held on Sunday with over 240 units including an air show.

In 1989 Main Street (2nd Avenue) was completely rebuilt with new street lights and a new surface. During the Christmas season the lamp posts are decorated with evergreen rope and lights. The taller poles are decorated to look like Christmas trees. Miniature Christmas trees are set out by many merchants decorated with lights to promote a feeling of togetherness.