Most Northwoods towns have a slogan or motto to distinguish themselves from other towns. Some of these are just outdoor slogans and mottos to attract tourism, some are self-explanatory, while others kind of state a fact. A few of towns with slogans are:

• Arbor Vitae/Woodruff– “Crossroads of the North”
• Manitowish Waters– “Wisconsin’s Northwoods Year-round Vacationland”
• Land O Lakes– “Land of Four Seasons of Fun”

Then you have self-explanatory mottos like:

• Hurley– “Where 51 Ends – Family Fun Begins.” Because this is literally where Hwy 51 ends.
• Minocqua– “Island City.” Because, well it’s an island.
• Phelps– “Headwaters Country.” Because this is the start of the Wisconsin river.
• Winchester- “Wisconsin’s Unchanged Wilderness.” Is it unchanged? I’m pretty sure things have been built.

Then for reasons I can’t explain there are two towns with more than one slogan:

• St. Germain
  • 1- “Friendliest town in the Northwoods.” Is it? I believe all towns up north are friendly.
  • 2- “All trails lead to St. Germain.” Do they? Not really.
  • 3- “Birthplace of Colorama.” Is it? I couldn’t tell you.
• Presque Isle
  • 1- “Wisconsin’s Last Wilderness.”  Because it’s at the top of the state.
  • 2- “Walleye Capital of the World.”  Supposedly Presque Isle has the largest rearing ponds in the world. Do they? I couldn’t find anything to support that, so I’m leaving that alone.

And then there are the “record” holding towns:

• Mercer– “Loon Capital of the World.” This is based on a wildlife study that said, Mercer had the highest concentration of the common loon in the world, so you can’t argue with that.
• Park Falls– “Ruffled Grouse Capital of the World.” Supposedly it is in the US, so I guess it’s true.
• Eagle River– “Snowmobile Capital of the World.” Is it?
• Sayner– “Birthplace of the Snowmobile.” In 1917 it was called a motor toboggan, so this is true.

The last town is Boulder Junction- “Musky Capital of the World”, even though Hayward, Wisconsin says it should have that motto/slogan (they have tried and failed) because the controversial world record musky was caught there.

But Boulder Junction says their premise is more on the number of muskies caught, not the world record. Are there more muskies caught in Boulder Junction then the rest of the world? Couldn’t tell ya.

I don’t know if anyone reading this has noticed, but Wisconsin has a lot of world capitals. I’m not going to argue with any of the slogans or mottos because each small town in the Northwoods has something special to offer and is unique in their own way. If you’re planning on going to one of these towns, please support local businesses. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOWN/SLOGAN?