Herbster, Wisconsin

Herbster is an unincorporated census-designated place in the Town of Clover in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States, located on the south shore of Lake Superior.^[1][2] Herbster is seven miles east of Port Wing and eight miles west of Cornucopia on Wisconsin Highway 13, the main route through the community. The primary north/south route is by Lenawee Road, leading from Lake Superior to the Chequamegon National Forest. As of the 2010 census, its population was 104.^[3] Herbster has an area of 5.572 square miles (14.43 km²), all of it land.

The Cranberry River joins the lake in the middle of the village. The unique ecosystems of Bark Point and Bark Bay sit just to the east of Herbster.

Herbster's ZIP code is 54844.

History

The mouth of the Cranberry River was settled during the logging era at the end of the nineteenth century. According to legend, Herbster was originally to be called Orchard City, an act to encourage immigration, but a logger, Billy Herbster, also a cook and postman, confused the postal service, and his name was given to the village.^{[citation needed]} The name Orchard City still appears on many deeds to properties in the Herbster area.

Herbster School closed its doors in 1990, but its historic log gymnasium remains open as a community center and town hall. School children from Herbster now attend school in Port Wing at South Shore School District.

In 2006, Herbster celebrated its centennial.

Economy

Logging remained the force in Herbster's economy throughout the 20th century, driven by the Isaksson family, who still operate the sawmill and remain the largest landowners in the area. Today, service trades and a growing tourist industry have emerged as major players in the Herbster economy.

Two taverns and a gas station/convenience store operate at the crossroads of Lenawee Road and Highway 13. There are gift shops along Highway 13. Master cabinetmaker Howard Bowers ran a woodworking shop until his death in 2009.^[4] Celinsky's greenhouse was an important business that ceased operation only within the past few years.^[when?]

Notes

1. ^ http://www.herbsterwisconsin.com/?110160
2. ^ http://wisconsin.hometownlocator.com/wi/bayfield/herbster.cfm
3. ^ "American FactFinder". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/main.html. Retrieved 5 April 2011. 
4. ^ Howard Bowers deceased October 21, 2009, http://www.norlightsgifts.com/?110010 Retrieved on 2010-09-08

External links

• Herbster, Wisconsin website

Coordinates: 46°49′57″N 91°15′39″W / 46.832365°N 91.260853°W / 46.832365; -91.260853