Cumberland, Wisconsin

Cumberland is often called the “Island City” and the main part of the city, including the original settlement, is located on land surrounded by Beaver Dam Lake, originally settled by Chippewa Indian Tribe. Beaver Dam Lake was referred to as Che-wa-cum-ma-towangok or “Lake Made by the Beavers,” by the local tribe. The Chief of the Chippewa Tribe was Pon-gee Rau-gen, or “Little Pipe”. He continued to live in the area even after it was settled by European settlers and drowned in a canoe on Beaver Dam Lake in 1895. In 1874, A. Ritan and R. H. Clothier explored the area with the intention of settling in there. While exploring, they came across surveyors that informed them of the upcoming railroad line that the North Wisconsin Railway Company planned to lay in the area. A. Ritan, who lived near what is today Turtle Lake and the Dahlby Family, originally of Norwegian descent, from the town of New Richmond, both filed a homestead near the proposed railroad and built two log cabins, 300 feet north of the present high school location. In 1878, the North Wisconsin Railroad Company extended the rail lines through the area. Prior to the railroad, settlers were required to get provisions in Rice Lake, Barron or Clayton. In 1880, the Dahlby Family sold their cabin and moved to Chandler (now known as Spooner) and open a store. A. Ritan, also originally from Norway, lived in Cumberland for many years and helped develop the city before moving to Portland, Oregon.[7]

R. H. Clothier also took a homestead and built a farm in 1875. On December 30, 1875 the town of Lakeside was organized, encompassing what is now Lakeland Township, Almena Township, Crystal Lake Township and Maple Plain Township. During the winter of 1876 a bridge, called Bonett Bridge, was built off the island and soon after a school was located on the mainland area near the bridge with Miss Ida Schofield as the original teacher. She was soon replaced by Miss Carrie Fay, who arrived from nearby Prairie Farm. On January 1, 1880, the name was changed to Cumberland at the request of John Humbird, who arrived in the area from Cumberland, Maryland. Almena Township joined with the Turtle Lake Township a couple of months later and on November 12, 1902 Crystal Lake became their own Township. In early 1876 a post office, originally called Lakeland, was established three miles east of the city with L.I. Gunderson being named postmaster. On September 10, 1876, Mae Jenet Hodgkin became the first white person born on the island. The first grocery store was opened by David Ingle and Elmer Wisner of Clear Lake opened the first blacksmith shop in 1878. In the winter of 1879 the name was changed to Cumberland. In July 1880, Dr. William Hopkins arrived from Maine and set up a practice. At the time, it was the only practice between Clear Lake, Wisconsin and Lake Superior. Also around this time, a steam sawmill was set up in northern Cumberland, in what is now the "Mill Hill" area and operated for a few years until it was destroyed by fire on August 15, 1884. The Lakeside Cemetery was established in 1880. In 1881, the first newspaper, the Cumberland Herald (later the Cumberland Advocate) began printing. The first bank, the Bank of Cumberland, began operation on October 8, 1883. After the railroad begin to operate, settlers quickly arrived in the area and by 1884 there were 24 saloons located in the area. In 1885 a jail and fire department, with N. D. Richards named the Fire Chief, were established and by the late 1880s the first hotel was kept by Jack Collingwood, followed by several other hotels. Soon the Elm Street Bridge was completed and the Fire Department moved from their Lake Street location to their present location. In February 1893, the state board of health sent a representative to set up a quarantine on the Italian settlement due to unsanitary conditions. On August 1, 1884 the city borrowed $5,900 via bond issue to establish a system of waterworks which was constructed by Fairbanks, Morse and Company in February 1895. In April of the same year, telephone lines were also erected in the city limits. On September 14, 1895, the newly built water tank burst and damaged several nearby properties. On November 20, 1897 the city approved a resolution to for street lighting of all public grounds by electricity. In 1903 the Uecke's Opera House was opened and still remains today apartment complex. The same year, a large school was constructed on the island on the present location of the Cumberland Elementary School. On March 15, 1905 a $10,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie established a Carnegie Library in Cumberland. In 1914 the Island City Hospital was created by Dr. George Grinde and included a 20-bed hospital and X-ray facilities.[7]

Cumberland is located at 45°32′9″N 92°1′24″W (45.535892, −92.023389),[8] along Beaver Dam Lake at the beginning of the Hay River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.04 square miles (10.46 km²), of which, 3.45 square miles (8.94 km²) is land and 0.59 square miles (1.53 km²) is water.[9]

Cumberland is along U.S. Highway 63 and Wisconsin Highway 48.

Cumberland Municipal Airport (KUBE) is located three miles south of Cumberland.

Cumberland is known as "The Island City" because it is nearly surrounded by the waters of Beaver Dam Lake.[11]

Cumberland hosts the "Rutabaga Festival" annually on the weekend preceding Labor Day weekend. The festival features live music, carnival rides, food, a parade, and other events.[11]

• Jules Alfonse – NFL player
• Henry C. Doolittle – Wisconsin State Representative
• David Hanson – NHL player
• Fred J. Moser – Wisconsin State Representative – educator
• Ben Peterson – Olympic gold medalist
• John Peterson – Olympic gold medalist
• Thomas St. Angelo – Wisconsin State Representative
• Sister M. Madeleva Wolff – poet – College President

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  The sign for Cumberland on US63
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  Street scene of Cumberland
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  Uecke's Opera House in Cumberland
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  Intersection of US63 and WIS48

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cumberland, Wisconsin.

• Cumberland website
• Cumberland Chamber of Commerce
• Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland, WI
• Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1893 1899 1909