General Info
Fur traders were among the first settlers in Sawyer County, trading with Chippewa Indians for pelts. The first trading post, Codette’s, was established south of Hayward. Due to the plentiful timber, lumber barons were attracted to the area. By the 1870s, A.J. Hayward headed the North Wisconsin Lumber Company which harvested the white pines in Sawyer County. The settlement of Hayward was officially established in 1881, becoming part of Sawyer County in 1883 as the county seat. As the railroad arrived, the lumber and milling business began to boom and tourism grew. When timber resources were exhausted around 1900, tourism became the area’s most important industry. Over 200 lakes are nestled within Sawyer County, attracting many outdoor recreational enthusiasts. Fishing camps, cabins, resorts and clubs make up its tourism industry. Today Sawyer County is home to approximately 17,117 residents.
