Interstate Park, Hwy. 8, Polk county 

In 1878 the Legislature set aside 50,000 acres of "Public Trust Funds Lands" as a "State Park." These were scattered timbered lands located in Lincoln, Iron, Vilas and Oneida counties. Because no effort was made to develop these lands, the Legislature in 1897 rescinded its previous actions and during subsequent years the lands were sold. Many Wisconsin citizens at that time believed that areas of statewide significance should be acquired for the use and inspiration of the people. Here at the Dalles of the St. Croix this public interest first took form. Harry D. Baker of St. Croix Falls and George H. Hazard of Taylors Falls headed groups from their respective states for acquiring land on both sides of the river for an Interstate Park. In 1895 their efforts persuaded the Wisconsin Legislature to authorize a Commission for the Interstate Park at the Dalles of the St. Croix." Under its direc­tion in 1900, the first land was acquired. Still dedicated to the original concepts for public use, State Parks have now been developed in all parts of the state. They include sites of historic, archeologic, and geologic value as well as thousands of acres of the finest natural scenery in Wisconsin.

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[Source: McBride, Sarah Davis. History Just Ahead (Madison:WHS, 1999).]