Pioneer Park Historical Complex, Historical complex and open-air museum in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Pioneer Park Historical Complex is an open-air museum with multiple historic buildings in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The site features a Logging Museum, the Soo Line Depot, a School House, and a CCC Museum that document regional life.
The complex was established in 1932 to preserve log cabins from the fur trade era and 19th century buildings. These structures document the region's development from early trade days through industrial expansion.
The museum collection displays exhibits about the Hodag, a fictional creature that became Rhinelander's symbol since 1896 and remains central to local identity today.
The museum operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with additional weekend openings in September and welcomes donations for support. Visitors should check weather conditions since much of the site is outdoors.
The site houses the oldest logging museum in the US and features the Baldwin 5 Spot train as a notable outdoor exhibit. This historic locomotive represents an uncommon piece of regional railroad history that interests train enthusiasts.
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