Historic Point Basse Pioneer Fest

Nekoosa, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – History came alive during Historic Point Basse Pioneer Fest. The event happens annually the second full weekend in June. It is one of the foundational events at the Wakley historic site. Volunteers and local historical groups demonstrate activities that took place at Point Basse during the 1800s.

Passport to the Past

After entering the grounds, the first stop is the schoolhouse. Children receive a passport to guide them through all of the activities on the Wakley property. They also collected a piece of fur they could use to barter at the fur trader’s cabin.

Blacksmithing

John Berg is one of the blacksmiths on the Wakley property. He fired up the forge to heat the iron as he demonstrated the work a blacksmith did on a working farm of the time. Berg said, “You get a feel for what we’re doing here. You can see it, you can hear it, you can smell it.”

John Berg said he helped design the shop 25 years ago. It represents the type of blacksmith shop you’d find from about 1870 onward. Berg explained, “The equipment that you see in the shop here is basically what you would find in any blacksmith shop on a farm, fur trade camp, a lumber camp, or a small four corners village that would serve all the iron needs of those communities.”

Medicinals

Along with the permanent structures on the property, many canvas tents are pitched all over the grounds. Joni Wolf displayed a wide array of bottles and jars at her table titled Medicinals. Wolf explained, “They didn’t have a pharmacy.” Pioneers relied on natural medicines to treat their ailments.

In addition to Elderberry Syrup and Mustard plasters, Wolf explained the ingredients in a fermented medicine called fire cider intended to boost one’s immune system. “Horseradish root, ginger root, garlic, jalapenos, rosemary.” No wonder it was called fire cider!

Bunkhouse

In the bunkhouse, Larry Knutson portrayed a Norwegian immigrant staying on the Wakley homestead. He explained many immigrants would spend the winter up north logging. During the summer, many men would stay at the Wakley inn as they traveled through the area. Knutson said, “A lot of men were coming through Point Basse here in the 1800s. There could be over a thousand men a day coming through here.” He went on to explain that Mr. and Mrs. Wakley would hire men to work for them, especially when Mr. Wakley was traveling.

Wakley House

Inside the Wakley house, volunteers made fritters on the woodfire cookstove while hungry guests waited. Visitors toured the ground level to see the kitchen, parlor, and Mr. and Mrs. Wakley’s bedroom.

Upstairs in the Wakley home are the rooms for the children. A large room for the boys and a smaller room for the girls. The smaller room now displays a large weaving loom and spinning wheels along with other equipment for producing cloth items to wear and use.

Grounds

Across the historic grounds, various tents displayed the way people lived and slept in the 1800s.

Fur Trader’s Cabin

When visitors arrive at the Fur Trader’s Cabin, they have a chance to barter their fur.

Visitors offer the fur to the trader and he gives his assessment.

Fur Trader: “It’s kinda puny though, it ain’t real big for a rabbit hide. Tell you what, I’ll offer ya two pieces of candy or one piece of candy and one string of beads.” 
Visitor: “That’s a very expensive rabbit hide.” 
Fur Trader: “I know it’s expensive. It’s getting more expensive as we go along.” 
Visitor: “I want two pieces of candy and a bead.” 
Fur Trader: “Two pieces of candy and a bead?? I’m going to settle for that.”

Links

You can find more information about Historic Point Basse Pioneer Fest and all upcoming events on their website. The next event on the Wakley Homestead is Civil War Days, July 26-27, 2025. You can hear more about Pioneer Fest from members of Historic Point Basse talking with James J. Malouf on this edition of The Rapids Report.