Lumberjacks at Gibraltar Talks

Two men use a crosscut saw to cut a hemlock log while a third watches. A splitting maul and a splitting wedge rest on a tree stump in the foreground. Photo by Ferdinand Hotz, courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Transitioning from school days to the lumber industry, which paved the way for Door County, on Oct. 16 Gibraltar Talks presents, “Taking on the Timber,” the last program of the season.

Imagine living in small isolated camps in the unexplored wilderness, deep in the dense forests of Northern Wisconsin. Lumberjacking is a dangerous job with many hazards that could happen at any moment. Extreme weather conditions and freezing cold winters made living conditions almost unbearable. The men of these camps worked long, hard hours. Lumber was in high demand, allowing little-to-no breaks.

Lumberjack brothers Mike and Pat Madden will share tools of the trade. Learn what tools are needed to tackle the job and how difficult it was to chop down trees without the modern day conveniences of motor tools. Be prepared to see the sawdust fly when brothers demonstrate tools of the time. Come experience the impact lumbering had on Door County.

The program will be held at 7 pm at the Old Town Hall, 4176 Maple St. in Fish Creek. Gibraltar Talks programs are free and open to the public; audience participation is encouraged and refreshments will be served. Donations are appreciated to help with future Gibraltar Historical Association programming and other history related events. For more information, call 920.868.2091 or visit historicnoblehouse.org.