Imalone, Wisconsin Explained

Official Name:Imalone, Wisconsin
Pushpin Map:Wisconsin#USA
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Rusk
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:1119
Coordinates:45.5522°N -91.2275°W
Area Code:715 & 534
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:1577655

Imalone is an unincorporated community located in the towns of Atlanta and Murry, in Rusk County, Wisconsin, United States. Imalone is located along the Chippewa River and Wisconsin Highway 40 9miles northwest of Ladysmith.[1]

History

The community was established by Snowball Anderson, who built a gas station in the area. The origin of the community's name is uncertain. According to one story, while Anderson's station was being run by Bill Granger, a salesman asked for the name of the place to use on an invoice. Granger replied, "I'm alone," meaning he could not ask what the name was, and the salesman wrote "Imalone" on the invoice. Another explanation states that Anderson named the community Imalone "because he was."[2] Imalone has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.[3] [4]

The Imalone Bible Camp and Church, founded by Rev. Olaf Newhagen in 1940, was a major center of activity for many years, often attracting campers and counselors from Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota. Newhagen, a Norwegian immigrant, was a highly respected member of the community who farmed during the week and preached on Sundays. In 1967, five years after his death, the church split over the issue of baptism. The majority of the active members then formed the Grace Bible Church in Bruce. In the late 1970s there was another exodus when the majority of the active members left to form the Living Waters Church about a mile north on State Highway 40. Since 1980 there has been little to no activity on the premises and the buildings are in disrepair. As of 2007, the community consisted of a bar called the Wagon Wheel and some houses.[2]

Notes and References

  1. . Rusk County . 2011 . 2011-04-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110516114831/http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/maps/docs/counties/rusk.pdf . May 16, 2011 .
  2. News: Stingl. Jim. Welcome to Imalone, a place to go with a friend. August 17, 2011. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 22, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20121015144923/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29433429.html . October 15, 2012 .
  3. Book: Birnbach. Lisa. Marx. Patricia. Hodgman. Ann. 1,003 Great Things About America. registration. 14 May 2002. Andrews McMeel Publishing. 978-0-7407-2949-2. 168.
  4. Book: Petras. Kathryn. Petras. Ross. Unusually Stupid Americans: A Compendium of All-American Stupidity. 18 December 2007. Random House Publishing Group. 978-0-307-41761-9. 246.