History of the Rib Lake Area

The early history of Rib Lake involves the industries of milling and tanning. The first mill, named the Rib Lake Lumber Company, was built in 1882 by J. J. Kennedy and within a year was destroyed by fire. In 1883 the mill was rebuilt and a railroad was built to serve its needs. The mill burned a second time in 1914 and was rebuilt once more. When the mill reopened it was one of the largest in the state and remained in operation until the summer of 1948.

The tannery was founded by Fayette Shaw in 1891. The industry thrived until 1923, then ceased for reasons unknown. Many speculate that a less expensive synthetic compound was created, making natural tanning obsolete.

The two industries survived adversities because they were intertwined. Scrap lumber from the mill was ground and transported by railroad to the tannery and burned to generate steam. The workers from both industries lived in Rib Lake. Both Kennedy and Shaw purchased hotels for their employees. The southern part of town was called Kennedy Town and the northeast corner Shaw Town.

The town of Rib Lake included parts of Westboro and Chelsea, and the village of Rib Lake was incorporated in 1902. The name Rib Lake is said by some to have originated from the findings of a pile of rib bones by the lake. Others say the lake is shaped like a rib, still others say the name derives from the Chippewa Indians who named it "Opicwana" after Rib Mountain and Rib River. However you choose to believe, how our name was derived is unimportant. What is important is that our community is derived from people who overcame adversity through working together.