Antigo

An original log cabin dating to 1878 and a steam locomotive that made its last run through Antigo in 1957 are distinctive historical landmarks. There is also a self-guided tour of 15 historic buildings and the nearly five-mile Springbrook Trail. This gives you different options when planning: local history, walking tours, or time on a longer trail.

History at the Museum Campus and Locomotive

The Langlade County Historical Society’s museum campus includes a former Carnegie library. It served as Antigo’s public library from 1905 to 1997. The campus also includes the original log cabin of city founder Francis Deleglise, built in 1878. The two buildings represent different chapters of local history: the former public library and the founder’s home.

Another historic attraction is the 440 Locomotive, a Baldwin steam locomotive built in 1900 with a 2-8-0 wheel arrangement. Its connection to the city dates back to 1957, when it made its last run through Antigo as a steam locomotive. Visits are available by request, provided the Langlade County Historical Society museum is open. From May through October, visits take place Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you plan to visit, take both the request requirement and the hours listed into account.

Walking Tours and the Springbrook Trail

There are two different formats for exploring the area. The Antigo Historic Audio Tour has nine stops, each within half a mile of the next. Audio clips play automatically through the StriveOn app as you approach each stop. If you’d rather plan a self-guided walk to historic buildings, Antigo offers a tour of 15 buildings. The two options have different focuses: one features audio stops, while the other is a self-guided tour of buildings.

The Springbrook Trail is nearly five miles long. Its features include low and elevated wooden boardwalks, scenic overlooks, bridges, and fishing piers. The trail’s length is a practical point of reference when deciding whether it fits your day’s plans. Away from the trail itself, the Springbrook Trail area also has an ADA-accessible kayak launch and disc golf. These amenities are separate from the trail and are not included in its stated length.

More Destinations and Hiking

The James & Mary Draeger Family Splash Pad is located in City Park East in Antigo. Families planning a trip around different interests will find named attractions for a range of activities: historic buildings, a trail, a kayak launch, disc golf, and the splash pad. Choose according to the experiences that matter most to your travel group, rather than treating these different places as one shared route.

Antigo is designated an Ice Age Trail Community. In Langlade County, the Ice Age Trail chapter’s hiking program includes 84.2 miles of marked trails and connecting routes.

You can also explore Summit Lake as another destination.

For the broader travel overview: Langlade.