In the progression of the area now known as Oconto County, WI, there first were the Native American villages with production of foods and material goods used in the extensive trade - travel system established before European settlement. The Canadians were the next to introduce fur trading in the late 1600's. Following that, came the lumber industry, attracted by the huge forests of virgin timber, initially White Pine, then the hardwoods of Maple and Oak in 1823. Each change brought its own kinds of people to settle the land. The French Canadian Metis and other mixed Indian bloods became neighbors to the original Native Americans during the fur trading era. New Brunswick, Canada, and New England, U.S., particularly Maine, saw the introduction of European blood families. If your ancestors trace back to Oconto County, there is in all likelihood, a branch connected with logging and lumber production, whether it was working for the large lumber companies, or logging off land to establish a homestead.

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HOLT & BALCOM LOGGING CAMP PHOTOS....- 2011 photos of the oldest logging camp on the original site!

Photos contributed by: Jill Gondek