Lake Superior Live Cam
Exploring the shores of The Apostle Islands and Lake Superior
History
Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, has a rich history intertwined with the town of Bayfield, Wisconsin. The area around Bayfield has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Ojibwe, also known as the Anishinaabe, have a deep cultural connection to the region and continue to be an important part of the community.
In the early 19th century, European explorers and fur traders began to arrive in the area, attracted by the abundant natural resources and the strategic importance of Lake Superior for transportation and trade. By the mid-1800s, the settlement of Bayfield was established on the shores of the lake.
Bayfield played a significant role in the timber industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area was heavily forested, and logging operations were vital to the local economy. Timber was transported by water across Lake Superior to markets in the Midwest and beyond.