Village History

What is in a name?

Nearly 300 years ago, shipwrecked French priests on the shores of Lake Superior made their way down a river to an area they christened “Presque Isle,” or “Almost an Island,” because of the vast stretches of lakes and rivers that dwarfed the land.

The advent of the logging era brought development in the early 1900’s. In 1905, Presque Isle was known as Fosterville, after one J.J. Foster who built and operated a large saw mill.

William S. Winegar bought the mill in 1910 and the fledgling community was renamed “Winegar.” When the mill closed in 1933, the great “Lumber Baron” era came to an end. Today the mill ponds are visible from the village and make up our flagship park: Pipke Park.

In l955, the village name was changed once again. Reflecting the wisdom and farsightedness of early French missionary priests, we finally became... “Presque Isle” – Almost an Island. A visit to the Heritage Society Museum in downtown Presque Isle will take you back to these simpler times.

In recognition of Presque Isle’s rich history and logging era heritage, the Town of Presque Isle adopted a new lumberjack logo that also retains the “Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness” moniker as an honor to the natural assets we are blessed with. The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Presque Isle Days in mid-summer, with highlights including old-time games for kids and adults, plenty of food and Wisconsin brews.