Downtown Land O'Lakes

Downtown spreads out along County Road B starting about half a mile west of U.S. 45. Residents are quite proud of downtown's curb-and-guttered streets, redone northwoods-theme façades, beautiful new library, and decorative lights and trees. The west side of downtown features a sort of town green and some charming small churches built by summer people. Downtown combines small-town fixtures like the Pine Cone Café, a drugstore, a good grocery/deli, and many shops catering to the decorating needs of visitors and second homeowners. The Bucksnort coffeehouse is downtown n the rambling Northwoods Living store.

THE TACKLE BOX is a charmingly quaint downtown fixture. It's part gift shop with lots of Ts, sweatshirts, and unusual northwoods gifts. It's part outdoors store with live bait, fishing tackle (also for ice fishing), and supplies for camping, archery, boating, and shooting, including black powder. Then there are books, toys, puzzles, and games. 6074 Hwy. B. (715) 547-3434 www.tackbox.com Open daily, year-round, as early as 7 in summer. Wheelchair-accessible.

LAND O'LAKES PUBLIC LIBRARY. Many regular programs makethe community room of this newish, light-filled public library the local cultural center. It's right downtown. Call for occasional special-interest and author programs year-round, and for summer children's programs. Temporary internet access is available. There's a big book sale for the local festival the last Saturday in July. Behind the library is the south trailhead of the Watersmeet Rail Trail, leading 8 miles north to the Ottawa Visitor Center. The library district serves two states, thanks to the efforts of two enthusiastic Chicago transplants living near Watersmeet. Concerned that less affluent Michiganders didn't have free library access, they got both Michigan and Wisconsin governors to sign on to the plan.
In a new log building at 4242 Hwy. B in the middle of Land O'Lakes, north side of B. Open 9-noon Mon & Sat; 9-5 Tues, Wed and Fri. Closed Thurs & Sun. (715) 547-6006. Wheelchair-accessible.

NORTHERN WATERS MUSEUM/Land O'Lakes Historical Society
This excellent local museum, open in summer, features exhibits prepared by many able, interested amateur historians, including summer people. The log building, erected in 1938 as the ski shelter for the Gateway Lodge, has been moved to the town park just west of downtown. Exhibits, archives, and genealogical collections pertain to the human and natural history of all of Vilas County.

Each season brings changing exhibits. They are detailed on the outstanding and well organized web site, www.landolakeshistory.org. The site also includes many historic photos on logging, railroads, resorts, the Gateway Lodge, and more. Paul McLeod collected from the photos from many local people. The links are terrific, too—especially the overview of Vilas County history and the county-wide historical tour.

The society has posted a satisfying, detailed history of Land O'Lakes itself on the chamber of commerce web site, www.landolakes-wi.com. South side of Hwy. on the west side of downtown, by the park, a mile from U.S. 45. (715) 547-6979; www.landolakeshistory.org Open from June thru Sept. 1, Thurs-Sat 11-3 or by appointment. Wheelchair-accessible.

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