Catawba, Price County, Wisconsin

"In about 1865, the government surveyed this area in what is now Price County and divided it into sections and townships, and one of these was the township of Catawba."

"As far as we know, people did not settle here until after the railroad was built through here. Just before the coming of the railroad, some logging of pine was carried on in the vicinity of Catawba. There were a number of logging camps in this area."

Excerpt from Memories of Catawba, Wis (House of Print, 1976, pg 1)

By 1902, Catawba had a sawmill, which was known as the Red Birch Lumber Company, possibly started by Peter H. Hammer. On the south side of the railroad tracks he built a company store and a hotel. The lumber company office was located in the store, which was later used as a house. The building burned to the ground in 1935. Sometime later, Charles and Amy Beyers along with a Mr. Morner bought the mill and lumber business which they continued to operate. It was likely expanded to an area that is now the site of Catawba Farm Supply. A lathe mill was located on the east end of the property.

The Red Birch Lumber Company also had a blacksmith shop which Charles Olsen ran until Mr. Hammer sold out to Beyer Morner Lumber Company.

It is interesting to note that according to Harmony Happenings, a history book, Charles (Carl) Beyer's nephews, Arthur Beijer and Victor Sandquist, immigrated from Sweden to Chicago in 1907. Arthur then came to northern Wisconsin, working "for a machine shop in Prentice" and ended up in Phillips working for the Davis Lumber Company. He moved on, but built a vacation home at Lake Ten which became the permanent home for him and his wife Carroll Purdy Beijer in 1956. The home remains in the family to this day.

Excerpt from the Memories of Catawba, Wisc (1976) as summarized and contributed by Cathy Peterson

Read Memories of Catawba, Wisc by clicking on the picture icons or title links on this page.

This is a pdf file so you must have Adobe Reader and it may take a few moments to load depending on the speed of your internet connection. Your patience is well worth the wait to read this interesting history of Catawba written by the Catawba Bicentennial Committee in March 1976 and contributed by Cathy Peterson.

Jump River Valley Museum
U.S. Highway 8
Catawba, WI 54515

The Jump River Valley Museum is a one-story brick building that was built in 1920 and used as the Catawba Town Hall. It is located on Highway 8 between the Catawba Fire Hall/Municple Building and the Catawba Post Office.

The museum displays artifacts from 1890 through 1940. The permanent exhibits depict the history of lumbering in the area; farming; rural schooling; and home-making in the area. Also on display is an addressing machine from Hawkins Telephone Company, a teller cage from the Catawba State Bank and a quilt made by one of the first homemakers group in the county.

The museum is operated by members of the Jump River Valley Historical Society.

The museum is open two Saturdays per month during June, July and August. It is also open the second week-end in June during Catawba's "All Schools Reunion and Lumberman's Days".

For more information contact: tourism@co.price.wi.us or call 1-800-269-4505.

This section is under construction. If you have information relating to Catawba that you would like to contribute, please contact the County Coordinator. Thanks!

If you have any information you would like to contribute, please contact the County Coordinator.

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last edited

06 Mar 2011

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