All documented legends

Midwest — Documented legend filings

Documented legends in Wisconsin

Wisconsin keeps 9 documented legends — stories that trace to a published or recorded telling, the shelf where folklore earned a citation. What is verified is the telling: the book, the article, the record that carried the story into print. What the story claims is filed as reported, not endorsed.

9 dossiers0 counties covered78% open to visitorsHurley — deepest file

Also filed documented legend:Hawaii76 Louisiana65 Arizona60 Texas58 Virginia55 Michigan52 Illinois50 New York49

Other Wisconsin shelves:local folklore18 anecdotal reports6 reported experiences3

Hurley

Hurley, Wisconsin

The iron town where Silver Street stayed wide open.

2 claims · 2 legends→

SS Meteor

Superior, Wisconsin

The 1896 whaleback—the last of her kind.

2 claims · 2 legends→

Apostle Islands

Bayfield, Wisconsin

The 22 islands—the Ojibwe’s sacred archipelago.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Sand Island Light

Bayfield, Wisconsin

The 1881 Gothic light—where the keeper reportedly stayed.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Madeline Island

La Pointe, Wisconsin

The Ojibwe’s island of the dead—where the ancestors reportedly walk.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Fairlawn Mansion

Superior, Wisconsin

The 1891 mansion—where the children reportedly play.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Lady Elgin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 8, 1860—Lake Michigan’s deadliest wreck.

2 claims · 1 legend→

Hodag Statue at Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Civic statue commemorating Rhinelander’s Hodag folklore and hoax history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Bray Road

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Road associated with documented cultural history.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Full Wisconsin record → state index· Every documented legend filing → evidence shelf

Record last amended October 2, 2026 · shelves recounted with the archive