VILAS COUNTY, WI HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Vilas County, Wisconsin: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of Wisconsin’s “Northwoods,” bordering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Vilas County is a land of immense natural beauty, boasting over 1,300 lakes and vast stretches of forest. Its history is a tale of two distinct eras: the exhaustive 19th-century logging boom that first brought railroads and settlement to the area, and the subsequent rise of a thriving tourism industry built upon the region’s scenic splendor. For genealogists, research in Vilas County involves tracing lumberjacks, resort owners, and early settlers, while also acknowledging the deep, centuries-old history of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, whose ancestral lands are central to the county’s identity.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Vilas County is a relatively young county, carved from a much larger parent county. Locating the earliest records requires looking beyond its 1893 formation date.

  • 1893: County Formed: Vilas County was officially created on April 12, 1893.
  • Parent County: It was formed entirely from the northern half of Oneida County. All official records for settlers in the area prior to April 1893—including land transactions, vital records, and court cases—are located in the records of Oneida County.
  • Grandparent County: Oneida County was itself created from Lincoln County in 1885. Therefore, for research prior to 1885, records must be sought in Lincoln County.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for William Freeman Vilas, a prominent Madison lawyer, Civil War officer, Wisconsin legislator, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Postmaster General under President Grover Cleveland.
  • County Seat History: The city of Eagle River was designated as the county seat upon the county’s formation in 1893 and has remained the center of government ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region is the ancestral and contemporary home of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe). The band’s name, meaning “Lake of the Torches,” refers to their traditional practice of nighttime spear fishing by torchlight. Their reservation was formally established by the Treaty of 1854, and their community and culture are a vital part of the county’s heritage.
  • The Logging Boom: The primary driver for European-American settlement in the late 1800s was the logging industry. Attracted by immense stands of white pine, lumber companies moved into the area, establishing numerous logging camps and sawmills. Railroads, such as the Chicago & North Western, were extended into the region to transport timber to mills and markets in the south.
  • The Rise of Tourism: As the pine forests were depleted by the early 20th century, the landscape of “cutover” land remained. Entrepreneurs and railroad companies began marketing the area’s natural beauty, particularly its pristine lakes and abundant fish and game. The same trains that once hauled logs began transporting tourists from Chicago, Milwaukee, and other urban centers, leading to the development of the lodges, resorts, and summer homes that define the county’s economy today.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records are centralized in the county seat of Eagle River, but research for Native American ancestors requires specialized resources.

  • County Courthouse: The Vilas County Courthouse, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521, is the main repository for county records.
    • Register of Deeds: This office holds all land records (deeds, mortgages) and is the primary source for vital records (birth, death, marriage, and domestic partnership) from 1893 to the present.
    • Clerk of Circuit Court: This office maintains judicial records, including civil and criminal court cases, divorce proceedings, and naturalization records before 1906.
    • Register in Probate: This office holds all wills and probate case files for the county.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Death, and Marriage Records: For events occurring between 1893 and September 30, 1907, records are held only at the Vilas County Register of Deeds office. After October 1, 1907, a copy was also sent to the state vital records office.
    • Pre-1893 Records: All vital records before the county’s formation must be sought in Oneida County (1885-1893) and Lincoln County (pre-1885).
  • Native American Records: Researching Ojibwe ancestors requires consulting federal and tribal records.
    • Lac du Flambeau Tribal Historic Preservation Office: The tribe itself is a key resource for historical information.
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Records: The National Archives (NARA), particularly in Chicago, holds BIA records for the Lac du Flambeau Agency, including Indian census rolls, annuity payments, and school records.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Vilas County Historical Museum: Located in Sayner, this is an excellent resource for the county’s logging, resort, and family history.
    • Walter E. Olson Memorial Library (Eagle River): The local library has a history room with genealogical materials, including newspaper archives.
    • Wisconsin Historical Society: The state-level archives in Madison hold vast collections, including newspaper microfilm and state records relevant to the county.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Iron County, Wisconsin (west)
    • Oneida County, Wisconsin (south)
    • Forest County, Wisconsin (east)
    • Gogebic County, Michigan (north)
    • Iron County, Michigan (north)

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