Consolidated Paper Mills

Wisconsin Rapids (previously Grand Rapids) sits on what was once called the Grand Rapids of the Wisconsin River. The Wisconsin River drops twenty-seven feet at the main rapids and sixty feet overall. Early settlers used islands in the rapids to develop water power for a flour mill, machine shop, saw mill and the Grand Rapids Pulp and Paper Co. In 1888, the Centralia Pulp and Water Power Company began operations 2.5 miles down river from the Grand Rapids, expanding to making paper in 1891.

The Consolidated Water Power Company was incorporated on 16 July 1894 with the goal of consolidating the six companies using portions of the water power of the Grand Rapids. After disputes, Nels Johnson and J.D. Witter, the last two original owners, purchased the remainder of the company in 1901, renaming it the Consolidated Water Power and Paper Company the following year. Witter died in 1902, followed by Johnson nine months later. Witter’s son-in-law, George W. Mead, took over as president. The 2,000 foot long dam was completed in March 1904. It was made from stone filled timber cribs with hemlock beams. The mill became operational on April 26, 1904 and began producing paper on June 3. An early client was the Methodist Sunday Schools, which used sixty tons of paper monthly.