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Wisconsin Counties
There are seventy-two counties in the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin became part of the Territory of Michigan and divided into two counties: Brown County in the northeast along Lake Michigan and Crawford County in the southwest along the Mississippi River. The state of Wisconsin was created from Wisconsin Territory on May 29, 1848, with 28 counties.Price County, Wisconsin
Price County Education, Geography, and History
Etymology - Origin of Price County Name
Named for William T. Price, who was president of the State senate at the time this county was formed - Hist. No. Wis., p. 765. Born in Pennsylvania (1824), Price early removed to western Wisconsin, and in 1851 was register of deeds for La Crosse County. The same year he served in the legislature, and in 1854 and 1859 as county judge for Jackson. After many terms as assemblyman and state senator, he was elected in 1883 representative to Congress, and re-elected in 1885, but died during his second term, Dec. 7, 1886.
[Source: Hist. No. Wis., p. 765.]
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
PriceCounty History
Price County was created on March 3rd, 1879, when Wisconsin Governor William E. Smith signed Chapter 103, Laws of
1879. Mr. W. T. Price, for whom Price County was named, was President of Wisconsin Senate and an early logger in Price
County. The original boundaries, a near perfect rectangle, 31 miles wide and 42 miles long, still remain.
Price County is the 5th largest land area among the State's 72 counties. Translated, the 31 mile by 42 mile area
contains 806,840 acres or 1,268 square miles. Of these 800,000 plus acres, approximately 18,000 acres are covered by
water. Vast areas of the total are public lands, with the Chequamegon National Forest accounting for 147,000 acres,
State owned property at approximately 28,500 acres, and County owned lands totaling 90,000 acres. In addition, Forest
Crop lands account for more than 44,000 acres. This totals in excess of 310,000 acres open to the public.
The lands which became Price County were a part of the vast pine covered area of Northern Wisconsin. This valuable
timber was attracting attention in the 1870's because lumber was in great demand. Our numerous rivers (part of the
Chippewa and Wisconsin River network), the steady northward advancement of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, the sawmills
and tanneries soon made Price County the center of logging and lumbering operations. The supposedly inexhaustible
forests did not last long. In 25 years, most of the pine was gone and with it the romantic era of logging. The trees
that had stood for centuries provided necessary materials for the expansion of the western frontier and growth for our
nation.
Now a new era began. Logging turned to hardwoods and hemlock. Nearly all of this was cut into lumber in local mills,
some being put to use for special finished products. Our population changed too, and was growing. The transient
lumberjack was replaced by home seeking settlers. Lands were homesteaded or purchased from timber companies and families
appeared. Cut over lands became small farms and permanent homes. Rural communities grew, many with the predominant
nationality groups. Villages were incorporated, larger villages became small cities. Township governments increased in
number and schools and churches dotted the county.
Logging and millwork continued, but were no longer dependent of a single economy. Agriculture was the hope of the
future. Farming has been the largest single occupation in Price County for sixty-odd years. Everything that climate and
growing season would permit has been tried. Many have been successful, some have failed. Dairy farming, with some other
specialized farming has proven to be best for the use of our lands.
Today, new industry has replaced the traditional sawmills. Some still exist, along with a paper mill, hardboard planed
and specialized wood industries, to use the raw materials from our forest. A variety of factories using the latest
equipment. Manufactures have found Price County a good place to produce and distribute a variety of products. Industries
and the number of people they employ are on the increase.
Our forests, cut over, burned over, mistreated, are again furnishing timber and raw materials. Thanks to fire prevention
and protection, and good management programs, this resource again is available. National, state, county and private
forests, all with long-term planning will provide future timber. Price County is still a predominately forest county.
The value and beauty of a growing forest is appreciated by all. It is unlikely that our lands will be depleted again.
Price County has now taken its place as one of Northern Wisconsin's most popular recreation counties. Woods and water
combine to make it attractive. A fine system of roads, and abundance of public lands, a variety of recreational
facilities - such as public boat launching sites, snowmobile trails and cross-country ski trails, bring visitors and
summer residents in increasing numbers.
Price County, during its 126 years, has experienced its great years and made the most of its lean years. It has
contributed its share to state and national efforts. Today with its diversified economy and its energetic citizens, it
ranks as one of the leaders in Northern Wisconsin.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,278 square miles (3,311 km2), of which, 1,253 square miles (3,244 km2) of it is land and 26 square miles (67 km2) of it (2.02%) is water.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- Ashland County - northwest
- Iron County - northeast
- Vilas County - northeast
- Oneida County - east
- Lincoln County - southeast
- Taylor County - south
- Rusk County - west
- Sawyer County - west
Education
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