History of The Bear Trap Inn

The Bear Trap is located in what was once known as the settlement of Donaldson.  Situated just north of Eagle River, the name changed in 1907 when the township of Stateline was created and later renamed to Land O’ Lakes.  Donaldson developed as part of the timber industry – the Otto Lumber Co. was the local logging company – and the move of the railroads – the Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western Railroad - to northern Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan.  The rail company built a depot in 1886-1887, which today is the Land O’ Lakes Library.  South of the Depot/Library, a railroad spur headed west to the south end of Mill Lake, just across the road from the Bear Trap and the original location of the Otto Lumber Company.

The lumber mill began operation at the same time as the depot was constructed and thus began a thriving community.  This was typical of many northern Wisconsin settlements in those days, where the timber and rail industries meant homes and gardens, as well as a school, post office, grocery store, saloon, blacksmith and a boarding house.  It also meant local stills and even a “cathouse”, located close to the Stateline depot!  Eventually the lumber mill became the Mason-Donaldson Lumber Co. and the settlement took the name of Donaldson.

Around 1900 two other rail spurs were built from the mill for timber operations near Duck and Hoist Lakes .  Logging operations for the other areas of the present town of Land O’ Lakes were conducted by numerous operators, generally south of this area.  In 1908 the mill burned down and never renewed operations.  With the exception of some parts of the Sylvania land tract, most of the forest had been cleared of big pine and did not warrant rebuilding the mill.  The settlement of Donaldson remained for some time after the fire, but eventually faded as Stateline grew and the economy turned toward tourism.  Some out of work loggers tried their hand at farming, but it was not an industry that flourished.  Others found different ways to earn a living, including guiding or resort ownership, while the remainder headed further west in search of virgin timber.  Some of the old buildings in Donaldson were moved to Stateline and those that remained ultimately collapsed from time, neglect and the elements.

In 1937 the present Bear Trap was built by Freytag and Bloomquist, who was a Donaldson resident.  By that time, there were few remaining people in the settlement… but into the 1940’s, people in and around Land O’ Lakes would remark “let’s go out to Donaldson’s.”  You’re still invited to do the same.

Thanks for Joining Us!!
Richie & Elizabeth Suarez
Andy Hammes