Saxon Harbor is located on Lake Superior's Oronto Bay in Iron County, Wisconsin, United States.[1] The harbor, adjacent to Oronto Creek, is a part of a county park that includes deep sea fishing, camping and a sandy beach stretching for four miles westward.[2][3] Historically, this was near the beginning of an ancient Native American trade route known as the Flambeau Trail and was the site of a fur trading post operated by John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company from 1808 to 1830.
In 2006, a $2.17 million expansion to the harbor was completed. Primarily funded by a Section 154 grant set up by U.S. Representative Dave Obey, the project added a new harbor basin, shoreline protection, new docks and restroom facilities and American Disability Act-complaint sidewalks.[4]
On the night of July 11, 2016, a major storm destroyed the harbor. Oronto Creek spilled over its banks, washing down trees and brush; its water flowed into the harbor, washing away boats, vehicles, asphalt, concrete, and trailers at the campground. One fatality occurred at the harbor.[5] It has since been rebuilt.[6]
References edit
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Saxon Harbor
- ^ "TravelWisconsin.com Travel Item - Saxon Harbor". tourism.state.wi.us. Archived from the original on 2010-11-20.
- ^ "Iron County Wisconsin Development Zone". www.ironcountywi.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06.
- ^ http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0919harb.htm
- ^ "Flooding causes major damage at Saxon Harbor". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ^ Uhlig, Keith (July 20, 2021). "Lake Superior: Saxon Harbor rebuilds after flood disaster". Wausau Daily Herald. Retrieved July 26, 2021.