Scattered around Waupaca County are a number of “Ghost Towns” such as Cobbtown, Granite City, Ostrander, Lind Center and Northland.
These were once bustling communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s that are now just a smattering of homes and an occasional business building, which, if not abandoned, is used as a home these days.
Northland’s interesting history will be explored in an Iola Historical Society (IHS) presentation at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at Iola Living Oaks, 505 W. Iola St., Iola.
Local resident Judy Morey shared a document written by her mother Florence Oligney, a charter member of IHS, which was established in 1953.
There are some great side stories too, including a visit to Northland by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
Ripley’s came to interview Harold Bergslien, “the man with the photographic mind.” He had memorized more than 40,000 photographs which he could identify by seeing only a tiny portion of a facial image.
IHS member Lee Halverson will be making the presentation, which includes a picture presentation of some of the long-gone businesses and people of Northland.
The public is invited at no charge, although goodwill offerings for the Iola Historical Society are always welcome.
For more information about the Iola Historical Society, go to www.iolahistoricalsociety.org.