by Wendy Weiler
I am no stranger to Washburn, a small Lake Superior, Northwoods Wisconsin town. Many tourists pass through without blinking. To me, it was always a tiny, isolated, unchanging Mayberry-like town with about 2000 people and a main street lined with the usual post office, 5&10, barbershop and gas station. It is the last town before reaching the quaint, bluff-side, shop-filled, water-sport laden Bayfield. Recently, a renaissance of sorts has been taking place and it is time to take notice. You may still be on your way to Bayfield, but it would be well worth your while to spend a day in Washburn.
We started our tour at the Washburn Historical Museum and Cultural Center. This building, as well as the courthouse and library, is constructed of Lake Superior Brownstone and on the National Register of Historic Places. The history of the local Brownstone is interesting in itself, but don't miss the historical displays, artifacts and stories telling Washburn's rich and sometimes quirky history. I learned that Washburn once had the largest dynamite factory in the world and boasted a population of 10,000 during WWI.
A new addition to the museum building is Quilting Essentials. The shop features crocheting, knitting and quilting supplies. (Wheelchair access is on the side of the building).
After soaking in the history of Washburn, we were ready for lunch. There are now several great choices for dining from breakfast to burgers, pizza and beyond. The Time Out café (it gets its name from an ill-fated time out called during Washburn's trip to the boys state basketball final back in the '80s), TND (I still don't know what it stands for, but they serve good burgers), North Coast Coffee Shoppe, Hugo's Log Cabin, Al Bahrani's Pizza, Viaggio Italiano, and a few more are all located directly on the main street, a.k.a Bayfield Street or Hwy. 13. We chose my favorite, the Good Thyme Bistro. This is a gourmet gem. Lunch featured a three-cheese panini with artichoke spread and sun-dried tomato hummus. You may want to try out the spectacular dinner menu too. (All restaurants have wheelchair access).
Next on the agenda was making the rounds to all of the old and new art galleries and specialty shops. Karlyn's and the D. Thomas Gallery feature fine art and pottery. Check out Karlyn's watercolor illustrations in the variety of children's books she displays in her shop and try to catch one of D. Thomas' art classes. Superior Artist Gallery and Woven Earth display a variety of local art, textiles, jewelry and unique gifts. Also, do not miss the newest addition to Washburn's main street, Hedge Hog. This new shop features beads, vintage jewelry and clothing, woven rugs and other high-quality crafts. (All either have wheelchair access or one small step).
Our day out ended after the art galleries and shopping, but we could have kept going. You may have time for a stop at one of the Internet cafés. Both the Chequamegon Book Store and the North Coast Coffee Shoppe offer wireless Internet service. Explore the racks of 1000's of used books at Chequamegon or try the wide variety of coffees, teas, soups and sodas at North Coast. Wonderful places to sit and relax.
If you are looking for something more "outdoorsy", it is well worth taking a short walk to the lake. Washburn has two large parks, Memorial and Thompson's West End, located right on the beach. Also, if you would like a longer, more scenic stroll, try out the Washburn Lakefront Parkway and Walking Trail that follows the shoreline. You can pick it up in at several locations, but the trail officially begins at Thompson's West End and continues all the way east to the city's athletic fields near Memorial Park. The western portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible and made of a fine crushed limestone.
Finally, after stopping for dinner and if you have any stamina left, you may want to take in a performance at Big Top Chautauqua. Big Top is a giant tent in the woods that features all types of performances from Riverpants to Willy Nelson. Last summer I caught Roy Clark and his band. What a blast from the Hee-Haw past! Also, check out the regional talent in the plays and musicals of Stage North. (Ticket offices are on Bayfield Street, but do not have wheelchair access, please call. The show venues are wheelchair accessible.)
So, if you like the idea of soaking in local history, noshing on a gourmet meal, meandering around art galleries, strolling the Lake Superior shore, sipping a cappuccino and catching a top-notch theater performance all in the space of one day, Washburn has it all.