TOMAHAWK – On Monday, Dec. 22, the winners of the 4th annual Darlene Wurl History of Tomahawk Essay Writing Contest were announced in the Tomahawk High School cafeteria.
Darlene Wurl was an educator in Tomahawk and dedicated her life to children, with an emphasis on their writing and language skills. In cooperation with the Tomahawk Historical Society, Pat Pietila and the Tomahawk High School Social Studies and ELA Departments, this has become an annual tradition to remember Darlene Wurl and the history of our community.
Over November and December, students participated in a writing process that explored various historical events, people or themes in Tomahawk's history. During this time, students visited the Tomahawk Historical Society on Nov. 17. From this, students were able to tour the facility and formulate ideas for their paper.
Students also had the opportunity to access the Public Library, books about Tomahawk, and the Learning and Media Center at the high school.
After receiving submissions from students of the class of 2028, a grading panel picked the top essay, along with two tied for 2nd place. Their names and essays are below.
Evelyn Brennan placed first for her essay about William H. Bradley. Lilly Fossum and Joa Reilly tied for second place with essays focused on Native American history and Tomahawk sports, respectively.
Read the winning essays on pages XXX.
William H. Bradley and Tomahawk, Wis., by Evelyn Brennan
William H. Bradley greatly supported the logging industry by founding the town of Tomahawk, Wisconsin in 1886. William Bradley headed West to pursue the logging industry, arriving at a forest that would later become Tomahawk. Even after 130 years, Tomahawk is still known for their origins, logging and timber.
William H. Bradley and his father were the main contributors to the creation of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Bradley was born in Bangor, Maine on February 25, 1838. He and his father were both in the logging industry. They were in search of more lumber, so they headed West where they eventually made it to where we know today as Tomahawk. Bradley decided to place the town next to the Wisconsin River, so the waterway could support the growing logging industry and help transport lumber more efficiently. Bradley and his father’s involvement in the logging industry helped establish the town of Tomahawk, shaping its history for years to come.
The Tomahawk Land and Boom Company played a significant role in the town’s development. Tomahawk Land and Boom Company, organized by William Bradley in 1886 in connection with the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (“Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce”), helped construct the first few buildings of Tomahawk. They constructed the first paper and dam mill in 1888, which were very impactful in founding and establishing the town. Tomahawk Land and Boom Company also helped the first train to come through Tomahawk. In 1891, Bradley got the original charter for the Wisconsin and Chippewa Railway, which was the forerunner of The Marinette, Tomahawk and Western Railroad Company, also known as the M. T. & W. Bradley was then allowed to extend the tracks so trains could finally run through Tomahawk. (“Tomahawk Area Historical Society”) The company's camps and early buildings were very important to the establishment and growth of the town of Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
The actions from the logging industry are still very present today in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and even the whole state of Wisconsin. This is shown primarily through ongoing commercial logging operations and an active forest management program. Wisconsin Forests FIRST (Forest Industry Roadmap and Strategies for Tomorrow) is “a statewide initiative created to develop a strategic plan and road map to support and promote a resilient, sustainable, and competitive forest products industry”. (“WJJQ Radio”) This project is meant to keep Wisconsin's forests healthy for future generations and highlights the impact that the logging industry has on the state. Another way that the logging industry is shown today is how mills, such as the Packaging Corporation of America paper mill in Tomahawk, continue to rely on the forests that early loggers first developed. The lumber and logging industry reflects on Tomahawk and the entire state of Wisconsin through state-wide projects and factories.
The logging industry has played a big role in the identity of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Over 130 years ago, Bradley and his father traveled West in pursuit of the lumber industry, which left a lasting impact on the town. Today, Tomahawk’s history as a lumber and logging town continues to reflect the efforts of William H. Bradley in the late 1800’s.
Native American Roots in Tomahawk, Wis., by Lilly Fossum
As a new resident to Tomahawk Wisconsin, I wanted to dig deep into its history. In my research, I discovered that Tomahawk has deep Native American roots. Topics I want to highlight include Native Americans before European settlement, treaties, and the founding and development of Tomahawk. I think you will find its history rich and full of history.
The region of Tomahawk was territory of the Ojibwe people, also known as Chippewa. They migrated from their ancestral home along the Atlantic seaboard, and came to Tomahawk driven by a prophecy to find the land where “food grows on water”, referring to wild rice. The Ojibwe people were present for several decades before the town was established. “The region was initially home to various Native American tribes, notably the Ojibwe and Menominee, who thrived on the area's abundant natural resources, including lakes, rivers, and forests” (Lincoln County Community). The area of Tomahawk was a part of the Ojibwe's ancestral lands, and the name “Tomahawk” came from the Ojibwe word otamahuk, meaning “strike them”.
The Ojibwe people were drastically impacted by the treaties they signed with the United States in 1837, 1842, and 1854. All of these treaties ceded large portions of land, including where Tomahawk is located. The treaties of 1837 and 1842 led to the ceding of most northern Wisconsin lands, while the 1854 treaty finalized the cession of the remaining lands to the U.S. government. Across all three treaties, the effects on the Ojibwe region included loss of land control, environmental disruption, cultural and geographic displacement, and survival of treaty rights. The Ojibwe were given reservations further north, and Tomahawk was no longer a primary settlement area. “The completion of the final treaty with the Chippewa Indians allowed logging operations in this region to proceed. Prior to 1886, the sole mark of civilization was a trading post owned by Germaine Bouchard” (Tomahawk History).
Once the Ojibwe left these lands due to the treaties, the region, which was still open to hunting, fishing, and gathering by the Ojibwe, became controlled by the U.S. government. Tomahawk, Wisconsin was founded by businessman and lumberman William H. Bradley, who established the Tomahawk Land and Boom Company to develop the area's rich logging resources. Logging and milling became the backbone of the town's economy. The city was officially incorporated in 1891, and became very popular for its jobs in the lumber industry, the new railroad built by William H. Bradley's company, cheap land opportunities, and its natural resources. By 1891, the city's population was near 2,000 residents.
The Native American tribes that once walked this land helped shape what Tomahawk is today. The Natives that used to live here shaped the environment, culture, and traditions that still impact us today. As a new resident, learning about the Ojibwe tribe has helped me have a deeper understanding of Tomahawks history. Understanding their story helps me appreciate the place I now call home and reminds me to respect the people who were here first and whose culture is still alive in our region.
History of Tomahawk Sports by Joa Reilly
Touchdown! Goal! Push! These are all common statements in popular high school sports worldwide; and they have recently become popular in our small town of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Whether it be a graduate attending an Ivy league university for their sport or even the Olympics, our sports association is no stranger to success. However, not many people are aware of the history of the Tomahawk Hatchets. In this essay, American football, hockey, and cross country will all be addressed.
To begin, the Tomahawk Hatchets mascot has nothing to do with Native American culture; it is actually a French term, “enterrer la hache de guerre”, which means, “to bury the hatchet” according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. One association that has been living up to this quote is the Tomahawk High School hockey team. In 1971, the WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) began sponsoring a tournament program for boys hockey. Since then, Tomahawk has made 3 state appearances; 1991, 2024, and a state win in 2025. To shed further light on, the 1991 team was nicknamed “The Dandy Dozen” due to their coach Dave Kukowski recognizing there being a total of twelve exceptional players which he related to the movie “Dirty Dozen”. According to Bob Skubal's book on Tomahawk sports history, their sectional game win was against DC Everest; the final score being 9-6 with both Jason Platchetka and Mike Reilly scoring hat tricks for the team, causing the Hatchet hockey team to go to state for the first time. In addition to this, the 2004-2005 team had three all-state honorable mentions, Dustin Madlung, Eric Mathwich, and Derek Dotter. As you can see, our population may be small, but we have grown a large name partially due to the success of the hockey team.
Secondly, our football team has experienced many accomplishments these past few years; but where did it all start? To begin, the team has gone from being ranked three hundred seventy fifth in the state in 2004, to being ranked sixty fourth this past season. Additionally, the team's Conference record in 2004 was 0-5; and in the 2025 season, the Conference record was 6-1. Furthermore, in 1989, the hatchet football team had eight players make first team all conference, and seven players make second team all conference. That same year, the Hatchet varsity football team were conference champions with a record of 6-0. In the second volume of the History of Tomahawk Sports book, Bob Skubal commented on a win against Park Falls saying, “First win since Tomahawk was co-conference champions in 1985,”. This is significant because it proves that Tomahawk is climbing the ladder of achievements. As is apparent from what has been stated, the Tomahawk Hatchet football team has an extensive history of accomplishments.
Finally, the girls cross country team has made it to state 25 times since 1975. An example of this can be seen in 1986, with Margie Schoone taking 5th at the sectional meet, and placing forty oneth at the state meet. In 2005, the girls team won all of their regular season meets, and took second at state, which was their tenth trip to state in the past twelve seasons at that time. For further information, this is the most state appearances Tomahawk has made in any of its sports. On top of that, the boys cross country team has made it to state multiple times as well; one being in 2005 where the team took first at their sectional meet, and fourth overall at the state meet. The following year, the boys team won eight of their regular season meets, and took eighth place at state. This trend of success indicates even more achievements in the future for both the boys and girls cross country teams.
In conclusion of all that has been said, the history of the Tomahawk Hatchets shows that our sports association is fierce competitors; specifically the hockey, football, and cross country teams. However, it's not just these teams; all of Tomahawk sports have had their successes as well. Whether it be state appearances or conference victories, these teams give us all something to celebrate. So sing the hatchet song proudly, support all our teams, and shout loud. Go Hatchets!
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