Early speculators thought that Bayfield would be the next great metropolis, similar to Chicago, because of its position on the Great Lakes and its deep and protected harbor, considered to be one of the best natural harbors in the world.

In 1883, Bayfield’s population was 495. But in less than 10 years, it had grown to over 3,000. This was during Bayfield’s boomtown “Golden Era”. Today, Bayfield’s population is back down to 580!

In the mid to late-1800s, Bayfield was most accessible by boat. Roads were extremely rough, remote, or non-existent. Because of this, residents would be cut off from the outside world as long as the water was iced over, preventing water travel. This would sometimes last as long as 8 months! They had to make sure to have all the food, supplies, and tools they would need for the whole winter- or go without.

This area is the spiritual homeland of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people. In 1854, Anishinaabe leader Chief Buffalo traveled by birchbark canoe from here to Washington D.C. to meet with government officials who were attempting to force the Ojibwe people westward. Chief Buffalo was 93 years old and the journey took 10 weeks! He met President Filmore, and the president agreed that the Ojibwe should not be forced to move. Because of Chief Buffalo’s daring journey and political acumen, the Ojibwe continue to live here with vibrant cultural traditions based in the rhythms of this landscape.

Early Bayfield was also called “Fountain City” because as early as 1875, town residents had running water piped into their home through wooden pipes from nearby “Big Ravine”. This water ran into elaborate fountains in the front homes of the most prominents citizens, and were often stocked with fish from the lake.

The first baby born to a family in Bayfield was named “Bayfield”. Early Bayfield promoter and speculator, Henry Rice, promised a free plot of land to the expectant family if they named their baby after the town. And so, Bayfield Kitseiner (a baby boy) was born in 1856.