Balsam Lake

History

The area in and around Balsam Lake was originally inhabited by a large band of Chippewa Indians. They referred to the area as "Innenehinduc," which means "place of the evergreen." This may have been due to the large amount of Canadian Yew, an evergreen shrub, which grew in abundance there. The town was organized on January 8, 1870, and was named after the lake that lay within its borders. The first businesses included a blacksmith shop, a bank, a creamery, two sawmills, a hardware store, and a general store. Governmental buildings included a courthouse and a log schoolhouse. Today, Balsam Lake is the home of the Polk County Government Center. The town celebrates its history, and the history of the United States, with its annual Freedom Festival, which takes place on the Thursday through Sunday surrounding the Fourth of July.

Geography

Balsam Lake is located at (45.45805, -92.454872). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Wisconsin Highway 46 and Polk County Road I are main routes in the community. U.S. Highway 8 and Wisconsin Highway 65 pass nearby.

Race & ethnicity