Culture & History Of Danbury

History of Danbury, WI

Danbury’s rich history is deeply rooted in the region’s Native American heritage and early European settlement. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and Dakota tribes, who relied on the abundant natural resources for sustenance and trade. French voyageurs arrived in the 17th century, establishing fur trading posts and forging relationships with the indigenous peoples. As more European settlers made their way west, Danbury became a hub for logging, farming, and harvesting wild rice and blueberries. The town’s resilient early residents carved out a living from the rugged Northwoods landscape, laying the foundation for the thriving outdoor recreation destination Danbury is today. This history of resourcefulness and respect for nature continues to shape the area’s identity.

Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park is a living history museum located near Danbury, Wisconsin that transports visitors back to the fur trade era of the early 1800s. It is situated on 80 wooded acres along the Yellow River, where two competing fur trade companies, the North West Company and the XY Company, established side-by-side trading posts from 1802 to 1805. This makes Forts Folle Avoine the only known site in North America where two rival fur trade operations were located right next to each other. The park features reconstructed fur trading posts, an Ojibwe village, museums, a one-room schoolhouse, and more, all depicting life during this pivotal period of cultural interaction between European traders and Native Americans. Period-dressed interpreters provide immersive tours, reenactments, and demonstrations that bring the fur trade days vividly to life. With its unique historical significance and engaging living history experiences, Forts Folle Avoine offers an unparalleled glimpse into this formative chapter of Wisconsin’s past.

The camp’s official newspaper, the “Riverside Low-Down,” documented the daily lives and accomplishments of Company 626. One of their most significant contributions was the construction of 85 miles of telephone lines connecting ranger stations and lookout towers throughout the area’s forests. This communication network played a crucial role in coordinating firefighting efforts and managing the region’s natural resources. Beyond their work, the camp provided valuable employment opportunities and a sense of purpose for these young men during challenging economic times, leaving a lasting conservation legacy in Danbury. Today, the site is accessible and open to the public. Old remains, foundations, and the chimney of a building remain and are marked by signs. some sidewalks and trails exist for those who wish to take a walk and listen to the echoes of the past.

*Please DO NOT remove any artifacts from the site. It is against the law. This will give future generations the chance to experience this historical place also.

CCC Camp Riverside #626

During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a vital role in providing jobs and preserving natural resources across the country. In Danbury, Wisconsin, CCC Camp Riverside, Company 626 was established in 1933 to tackle conservation projects in the Northwoods region. Young men from across the state were stationed at the camp, living and working together on reforestation efforts, trail construction, and wildfire prevention.

Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area

The Namekagon Barrens provide an excellent destination for ATV enthusiasts. A network of trails winds through the open, sandy terrain, allowing adventurous explorers to discover the area’s unique flora and fauna.3 Along the way, riders may spot wildlife tracks or remnants of the region’s pioneering past, such as the crumbling piers of an 1863 bridge. The combination of off-road thrills and historical exploration makes the Namekagon Barrens an unforgettable experience for ATV riders in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods.