A Brief History of Our Township
The Town of Ashland has deep roots in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, shaped by logging heritage, family farms, and the quiet resilience of rural life. Over generations, our community has grown around cooperation, hard work, and a shared respect for the land. Today, we remain a small, friendly township surrounded by forests, rivers, and open countryside — a place where neighbors know one another and community still matters.
Our town continues to preserve its history while supporting the people who live, work, and build their lives here.
Timeline of Local History
Late 1800's
Formation of the Early Community
Logging camps, homesteads, and trading routes supported the first permanent settlers, leading to the establishment of the local township government.
Mid 1900's
Growth of Community Services
Road development, volunteer emergency response, and local governance structures expanded as more families lived and worked in the area year-round.
Late 1900s
Recreation and Public Land Access
Outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, ATV riding, and snowmobiling became a defining feature of local life, supported by trails and public access sites.
Today
A Community Rooted in the Northwoods
The Town of Ashland continues to protect natural lands, maintain rural living values, and support residents through transparent governance and local collaboration.
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Affordable living with a
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Stories From Residents
Minersville
1926 – Marengo (WI) Farmers Co-op Mercantile Association store, located at Minersville. At the far left and behind the store is a small glimpse of Minersville Hall. To the right of the store is a house, which was presumably the home of the acting store manager.
Photo courtesy of Lee Westlund of Marengo, and Robert Klamerus of the Ashland Historical Museum.
This photo was taken to mark the transition to a new store manager, Charles Beltt, from exiting manager John Waisanen.
Pictured from left to right:
John Haaraoja – board member.
Charles J. Johnson – board member.
Andrew Ojala – board member.
Victor Niemi – board member.
Charles Paaso – board member.
Walter Somppi (standing behind Charles Paaso) – board member.
Viola Somppi (sister to Walter) – store clerk.
Hilja Lehtinen.
Jennie Peterson – store clerk.
Woitto Waisanen (son of John Waisanen).
Mary Waisanen (wife of John Waisanen).
John Waisanen – exiting store manager.
Charles M. Beltt – new store manager.
2016 Trout Brook Flood
In 2016, an intense rain event caused Trout Brook to overflow its banks near Highway 13 North in York Township, leading to significant localized flooding and infrastructure damage.
During the storm, Trout Brook rose rapidly due to saturated ground and heavy rainfall upstream. The volume of water exceeded the capacity of the existing culvert system beneath Highway 13, resulting in water overtopping the roadway. Fast-moving floodwaters washed out portions of the roadbed, undermined shoulders, and deposited debris and sediment across the highway corridor.
The flooding temporarily closed Highway 13 North, disrupting travel and posing safety concerns for residents, emergency responders, and commercial traffic. Local authorities and highway crews responded quickly to assess damage, secure the area, and initiate emergency repairs.
In the aftermath, damaged culverts and roadway sections were repaired, and drainage improvements were evaluated to reduce the risk of future washouts. The 2016 Trout Brook flood highlighted the vulnerability of aging infrastructure to extreme weather events and underscored the need for continued investment in stormwater management, culvert capacity, and flood-resilient road design in northern Wisconsin.
The event remains a notable example of how sudden, high-intensity rainfall can impact rural transportation routes and nearby waterways in the region.
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