During the second week of May, the U.S. Forest Service partnered with the North Country Trail Association’s Chequamegon chapter to remove trees and brush from archaeological sites along the North Country National Scenic Trail. One of many such partnership activities conducted by NCTA and the Forest Service, the project’s goal was to allow hikers to more easily view the remains of an abandoned Swedish pioneer community.

Thanks to the boundless energy and enthusiasm of NCTA members, the project was successful and demonstrated how the Forest Service’s mission of protecting natural and cultural resources – and providing recreational opportunities – aligns well with that of NCTA, which is to maintain, protect and promote NCT.

The Swedish settlement consists of two remnant farms and a school now managed as part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In the late 1800s, pioneers emigrated from Sweden to northwestern Wisconsin’s frontier, many choosing to settle and farm the Marengo River Valley. The marginal agricultural potential of the land, distance from markets and ultimately the Great Depression, made their task near impossible. While many of those early settlers left farming to pursue other livelihoods, remnants of their farms are still visible and those on Forest Service land have been designated as historic sites.

Locations such as these are valued resources protected from illegal digging or removal of artifacts, and site locations are generally kept confidential. The location of some, like the Swedish settlement have been disclosed to provide an opportunity for public appreciation.

For those interested in hiking NCT and visiting the Swedish settlement, brochures are available at no cost at Forest Service offices in Hayward, Glidden and Park Falls.

As the nation’s longest hiking path, NCT is over 4,600 miles in length and stretches between North Dakota and New York. Trail information is available at the NCTA website: www.northcountrytrail.org.

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