Cable Wisconsin

In an uncertain and sometimes troubling world, we as a human race often lose sight of the beauty of the world around us. It is easy to get stuck in the negativity of the news of the day or the zaniness of our everyday schedules. If you are seeking a respite from the business of day-to-day existence; a way to absorb the beauty of nature and re-connect with yourself, consider a visit to the remote and beautiful Cable, Wisconsin. Winter, spring, summer or fall, Cable Wisconsin offers a plethora of outdoor activities to help you get started on your quest to re-connect with nature and yourself.

Located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin near Namekagon Lake and Bay Lake, Cable is a serene town harkening back to a day when the pace of life was more relaxed and people were a little friendlier. With a population of approximately eight hundred, Cable is a quiet but welcoming community.

Originally, this area of northern Wisconsin was inhabited by many different Indian tribes, including the Miami, Menominee, Kickapoo, Winnebago, Dakota and Iowa. In the mid-1600’s other groups including the Ojibewa, also known as the Chippewa, began settling in this majestic wilderness. About that same time, the first Europeans began exploring the northern regions of what is now Wisconsin. Jean Nicolet, a Frenchman, is largely recognized as the first European explorer to reach this region in the early 1630’s. Ironically, he was pursuing an easy way to access China at the time. In 1659, two French explorers, Radisson and Groselliers, hired Native Americans to help them explore the Lake Superior and Chequamegon Bay areas in search of pelts and furs of beavers and other animals. When the French were defeated in the French and Indian War, they ceded possession of this territory to the British government.

Following the Revolutionary War, the United States seized control of the territory. In the 1820’s, white settlers began to flood the region in pursuit of land and other natural resources. The influx of European settlers created great strife with the Native American people who were living on the land, causing numerous conflicts such as the Black Hawk War where the Native Americans were soundly defeated. Tribes such as the Chippewa Indians struggled to maintain their homes in this region until 1842 when they officially ceded it to the United States. In 1879, a railroad was constructed to reach Cable in order to transport lumber and other natural resources from the Cable area. Many Europeans, including Germans, Norwegians, and Swedes settled in the area, obtaining jobs with the railroads and lumber companies. In the early 1900’s, the Cable area emerged as a premiere vacation destination of the region, as it has remained to this day.

Today, visitors to Cable can explore this region’s rich natural history at the Cable Natural History Museum. Attached to the Cable Natural History Museum is the Forest Lodge Library, a 1925 structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In nearby Drummond, the Drummond Public Library and Historical Museum is another delightful way to spend an afternoon learning about the rich history of this beautiful region. Designed after the original Rust Owen Company Store of Drummond, this museum contains an impressive archive of the logging and mill industries of the region and examines the history of the town’s establishment and subsequent development.

During the summer months, blooming wildflowers grace the edges of hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails in the Cable, WI area. Wild berries, including, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries grow throughout the forests and fields of this regions. Wildlife abounds in this region and it is not uncommon for visitors to enjoy the sights of deer, porcupine, waterfowl, bald eagles or even moose as you explore this outdoor paradise. The nearby lakes of Owen and Namekagon provide countless opportunities for outdoor recreation including fishing, public beaches, boating, water-skiing or just plain relaxing. In the winter months, visitors can enjoy numerous outdoor activities such as cross country skiing, snowboarding and ice fishing. The American Birkebeiner cross-country skiing race begins annually in Cable, Wisconsin. Additionally, every autumn, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival Mountain Bike race concludes in the Cable area.

After spending a wonderful day relaxing in nature, visitors have a wide variety of accommodations from which to choose. From relaxed resort like settings to rustic cabins or camping spots, the Cable area is sure to feature the perfect choice for every family. Visitors can absorb the local flavors at taverns such as the Cable Café or Metro’s Ski Inn. The locals are accommodating and very friendly, adding to the enjoyment of the vacationing experience. Many vacationers, intending to stay for one brief visit to the area, end up enjoying their stay so much that they purchase vacation homes in the area so they can return year after year to this delightful area. If you are seeking true relaxation and natural beauty, Cable, Wisconsin and its surrounding areas are an ideal destination for your next family trip.