History
Menominee County and Legend Lake Development
Established by a State legislative act in 1959, Menominee County began to function officially on May 1, 1961 with the cessation of federal supervision of the Menominee Indian Reservation. Menominee County was created at this time and became Wisconsin's 72nd county. That same year Menominee Enterprises, Inc. was formed to hold in trust and administer the county's timber resources, while operating the Neopit sawmill for tribal benefits.
In 1962, the corporation's land development program was begun to promote leisure home sites and year round recreational advantages within the 234,000 acres of rugged wilderness. After five years of productive progress, plans were finalized in the fall of 1967. In 1968, a corporation called the "Lakes of the Menominees" was formed specifically to turn the original nine lakes into a vacation home paradise. The Menominee Tribe turned over 5,160 acres of land to the Corporation as their share of the venture capital, to be matched by resources of N.E. Isaacson, Inc., a recognized large scale developer. They plotted out 2700 lots and over 1000 acres of "green lands" which are woven into the project giving extra space to the "lots". The owners of off-shore lots, those without direct Lake frontage, were given an "undividable fractional interest" in a specific beach club so that all owners had the enjoyment of beach frontage. There are 41 beach clubs strategically located on prime Lake property.
Work began early in 1968 on the construction of dams to create one large lake. Of the three original dams, one was removed during the construction project and another located at the west end of the Lake has been reclassified as a 'berm'. The one dam that remains is a functional dam and is located at the East end of the Lake and separates Legend Lake from Moshawquit Lake.
Restoration of the Menominee Reservation took place on December 22, 1973 which create a County/Reservation status with two separate governing bodies within the same boundries. That same year the Menominee Tribe terminated it's agreement with the Corporation and property sales were terminated. The unsold lots were acquired by the Tribe and placed in trust with the Federal Government. Today, because of additional lots acquired by the Tribe there are 839 lots in trust. Individual Menominee tribal members can lease these lots from the Tribe as either recreational or residential.
Legend Lake is a spring-fed lake over 6 miles long, with 47 1/2 miles of shoreline. The lake's deepest spot is 74 feet and its water table is 15 feet above Moshawquit Lake which lies to the East. A dam constructed between these two lakes is what created Legend Lake from the original nine lakes which nature placed there. The lake bottom of these original lakes is readily discernable using a depth finder. Being spring fed, without the normally found pollution carried by rivers, plus the lack of any adjoining farm land which is associated with the run-off of fertilizers, keeps the water pristine and the envy of all. Fishing, swimming and boating are enjoyed by all who are fortunate enough to spend time on the water. Legend Lake boasts a healthly fish population including Northern, Largemouth Bass, Crappy, Pan Fish, Perch, Walleye, Sturgeon, Musky, Suckers and Dogfish. The majority of shore line is tree covered adding to the natural beauty of the area.
The developer built a sales office on the west end of the Lake which was headquarters for the operation. The deeds to property included a provision for the existence of a Lake Association which would inherit the sales office upon completion of the project. That building is now the Legend Lake Property Owners Assocation (LLPOA) lodge and is owned by that organization. The LLPOA represents the land owners. The LLPOA is managed by 9 board members elected to a three year term by the membership. Membership in the Association was mandated by a covenant in the deeds. These covenants have since expired but courts have upheld the mandatory provision of the Articles and By-laws and membership is still mandatory to all property owners. Members adopted restrictions which control property use and building restrictions. All homes built are year round, single family, residential.
A Legend Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (LLPRD) was formed to control the Lake. The LLPRD is a taxing body recognized as part of the County Government and has responsiblity and authority over water related matters. The LLPRD rents office space within the LLPOA lodge. The lake District is managed by 7 commissioners, 5 of whom are elected by members of the district.
Menominee County's 300 square miles of heritage land includes 82 spring fed lakes and magnificent stands of virgin Pine and Hemlock, as well as Maple, Birch, Red Oak and White Oak. These hardwoods are prized for their mineral stain-free characteristics and are highly valued by woodworking manufacturers throughout the world. The forests are preserved from over cutting and misuse by state and federal laws and the Menominee Enterprises conservation practices.
The local government consists of a Town/County Board of Supervisors. Seven board members elected by the residents of the county serve both on the Town and County Board of Directors.
There are two types of police protection, tribal police handle all tribal situations and the County Sheriff's Dept handles all non-tribal situations.
Fire protection is provided by a volunteer type program with fire houses in Keshena, Neopit and Middle Village.