| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
1991: This one and a half-story structure features a rectangular shaped plan configuration, a concrete block foundation, a rock-faced concrete block stone exterior, a wood trim, and an asphalt shingled multi-gabled roof. A new roof replaced the original in 1964. (See Bib. Ref. B). Bungalow windows appear on the second story. Exposed rafter ends, elements characteristic of the bungalow style, are part of the architectural design as well. The interior is designed with plaster finishes. The garage doors are also new, added on at an unspecified date. The structure is in good condition.
The Crandon Ranger Station has functioned as a ranger station since the building's date of construction, in 1936.
2021: This two-story, side-gabled structure (ranger station) is constructed of rusticated/rock-faced concrete block. The asphalt shingle-sheathed roof’s open eaves feature exposed rafter tails, giving the building a modest Craftsman influence. The building’s wood-and-glass entrance is located along the west end of its south elevation and is sheltered by a gabled overhang with knee brace supports. A pair of replacement windows are located to the left (west) of the entry, while a series of five overhead garage door openings set beneath a smooth concrete header comprise the remainder of the first floor—the westernmost opening of which is infilled with vinyl siding and serves as an information board. The upper level carries a series of three gabled wall dormers with exposed rafter tails. The central dormer, sheathed with clapboard, is smaller than the other two; all of which include replacement fenestration. The west, street-facing elevation consists of two paired openings with replacement fenestration, while a pair of double-hung sash rest within the gabled peak. All windows include smooth concrete headers and sills. The elevation’s original central door opening has been infilled with concrete block. The building’s rear/north elevation consists of regularly placed, replacement windows along the first floor, while the upper level carries a pair of gabled wall dormers, also with replacement fenestration. The first-floor interior includes administrative offices, while the garage wing houses equipment and shop space. The second floor contains five additional offices.
Located directly southeast of the ranger station is a Walters’ brand, modern metal storage building with large overhead garage doors and a human-scale doorway along its west elevation, with an additional human-scale doorway along the north wall. Although a photo of this building is included in this report, and a photo uploaded in WHPD record #21972, it did not merit the creation of its own record.
This building was constructed between 1935 and 1936 as the new Crandon Ranger Station of the Wisconsin Conservation Commission (known today as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). It replaced the former station, which was described as an “old tumbled down barn.” The construction of the station was completed with Works Progress Administration funding; the total cost of which was to be $9,361, with $8,192 being federal funding. Twenty workers were to be used on the job, ninety percent of which were to be relief workers. By early November 1935, work on the structure had started, a local newspaper citing that half of the concrete blocks to be used had been made. Although anticipated for completion by Spring of 1936, it was not completed until November of that year. Three years later, plans were made for the construction of a combination weather and fire tower, east of the ranger station. It was to be completed with additional WPA funding; however, that project never came to fruition.
The Crandon facility was a ranger substation in Forest Protection District #4 and under the jurisdiction of the district headquarters in Antigo. The substation’s first ranger/conservation warden was Evron Davison, who served in that position until retiring in 1969. He and his family resided from 1936 to 1952 on the upper floor of the ranger station, which was originally designed/configured as living quarters. Thereafter, it was used occasionally as sleeping quarters for staff if they needed a place to stay for a few days. Today, the upper level now includes five offices and the building continues to serve as a ranger station. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Builder and Designer names: WPA/DNR Site File.
B. DNR Site File #273.
Footnotes for 2021 survey report information below:
“Approve $9,361 Ranger Station,” The Forest Republican (Crandon, WI), 3 October 1935, 1; “Work on State Ranger Station Here Under Way,” The Forest Republican, 7 November 1935, 1; “Weather Tower to be Erected Here,” The Forest Republican, 11 April 1940, 1; Wisconsin State Conservation Committee, Sixteenth Biennial Report of the Wisconsin State Conservation Commission: 1937-38, Available online at https://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=article&did=WI.RepConsCom38.i0001&id= WI.RepConsCom38&isize=M, Accessed December 2021; The old ranger station buildings were not torn down until 1940.
Intensive Survey of State Ranger Station Facilities, Prepared by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Architecture and Urban Planning (1995), 64-66; Williams, Forestry Supervisor, Email correspondence with Schnell, October and December 2021. The Davisons moved in 1952 from the ranger station to a house on the shores of Lake Lucerne, Laurel Krony, “The Islands of Lake Lucerne,” The Forest Republican, 27 December 1962, Available online at https://www.lakelucernewi.com/the-islands-of-lake-lucerne/, Accessed November 2021.
“Crandon Ranger Station,” Site file, Available at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation, Madison, WI; 1991 State Facilities Survey: Reconnaissance Survey Report (Properties of the Department of Natural Resources), Prepared by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, The School of Architecture and Urban Planning (1991), 64, 67-77.
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