Nearly 150 years later, the landmark known today as the IXL Historical Museum is preparing to celebrate its past and future with a rededication ceremony on the Fourth of July.

A special event is planned to celebrate the completion of the exterior facelift of the 19th-century building, made possible from a $50,000 grant funded by America250MI.

“We are beyond excited to see it complete — it has been a long time coming,” IXL Historical Museum President Marilyn Popp said. “It deserves to be preserved for our future generations — this place is just a little hidden gem.”

Popp noted the building’s exterior also reflects the craftsmanship of the era. “Its clapboard siding, decorative trim and gabled porches remain largely unchanged,” she said.

The office of the Wisconsin Land & Lumber Co., built in 1881-1882 at W5551 River St. in Hermansville. It is part of the IXL Historical Museum, which has opened for the season. Hours are from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sunday through Labor Day weekend. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Festivities will start immediately following the annual Independence Day parade in Hermansville. “It will take place rain or shine,” she added.

Along with a ribbon cutting, the board has invited government officials and guest speakers to attend. In addition, they will have food trucks and other activities on site.

Paul Larson, grounds and building caretaker, said they hope to have the blacksmith shop open for live demonstrations.

More details will be announced in the near future, Popp said.

The museum’s main building, originally constructed in the early 1880s as the company office, is a time capsule to Hermansville’s past. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

IXL Historical Museum Grounds and Building Caretaker Paul Larson points out land the IXL purchased in Blaney Park. All the original maps still hang in the office on the first floor of the museum in Hermansville. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The story begins with Charles J.L. Meyer, a German-born cabinetmaker who operated a sash, door and blind factory in Fond du Lac, Wis. Seeking pine for his growing business, Meyer began purchasing timberland in Menominee County in 1878.

By 1881-1882, Meyer moved company operations to Hermansville and established the headquarters at the site.

Over time, Wisconsin Land & Lumber expanded rapidly, eventually controlling nearly 100,000 acres across eight counties.

That success came with challenges. By 1890, tightening credit markets and declining sales pushed the company into financial trouble. As pine resources dwindled, the company shifted toward manufacturing hardwood flooring — a move that would ultimately redefine the business.

The company branded its flooring “IXL,” derived from the phrase “I excel,” reflecting its commitment to quality.

The original Wisconsin Land & Lumber “company house” was among the oldest homes in Hermansville. Matt and Edna Perry, the original owners, lived there with their three daughters in the 1920s. It was later moved to the IXL Historical Museum grounds. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“Every piece of flooring was stamped with the IXL,” Larson said.

That the transition to hardwood production was difficult at first, Larson said, and at the same time Meyer suffered a debilitating brain hemorrhage after an accident.

Leadership of the struggling company then fell to his son-in-law, George Washington Earle.

Earle’s own life story was remarkable. Born in New York in 1849, he left home at just 10 years old, worked on farms, became a schoolteacher and eventually earned a medical degree. After building a successful medical practice in New York, Earle traveled to Europe, where he met Meyer’s daughter, Emma. The two married in 1888, and Earle soon moved to Michigan and invested heavily in the family business.

After Earle stepped in to save the company, he began to renegotiate debts, secured new loans and cut expenses to keep the company afloat.

IXL Historical Museum President Marilyn Popp and Grounds and Building Caretaker Paul Larson show off pictures of the Hermansville Railroad in the 1910 restored train caboose. The hardwood flooring business used the railroad to transport its products across the country. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Wisconsin Land & Lumber became a pioneer in hardwood flooring, developing a tongue-and-groove manufacturing process that helped make the company one of the nation’s leading producers.

“His efforts paid off — it was in demand,” Larson said. “They were shipping train cars full of flooring across the country.”

“The flooring is still in the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park,” Popp added. “IXL really put hardwood flooring on the map.”

Under Earle’s leadership, the company flourished. The last of its debts was retired in 1910, and Hermansville remained the company headquarters for decades.

“Although he was primarily trying to run the company and save his fortune, Dr. Earle served as the company’s doctor, taking care of his workers who were injured in the factory, the woods or lumber yards,” Larson said. “I was looking through injury reports recently that stated they had about 200 accidents, with most of them to hands and feet, and only one death.”

The pavilion on the IXL Historical Museum grounds in Hermansville features many pieces of equipment used in the local factories or woodyards. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Larson noted that Meyer had a railroad that served the woodlands and surrounding areas. “They had three locomotives to move stock around in the yard that was piled 22 feet high,” he said. “Many suffered injuries were reported there.”

“An interesting story about Meyer was he had sent out letters for free passes to the Hermansville Western Railroad to all the other railroads not telling them there was only 12 miles of track,” Larson said. “They reciprocated by sending him free passes to thousands of miles of track across the country — of course, he made out on the deal.”

The company not only operated mills and offices but built much of the town as well, including worker housing and community buildings.

Earle remained at the helm of the company until his death in 1923, when control passed to his two sons, G. Harold and Stewart Prescott Earle.

Hermansville remained the firm’s headquarters until the death of his son, George H. Earle, in 1978.

“It was stated in G.H.’s will that the structure be torn down five years after his death, but his daughter, Anne Louise Lungerhausen, didn’t let that happen and assisted in making it the historical site it is today,” Larson said.

Today, visitors to the IXL Historical Museum can still view much of that history on the grounds.

Inside the three-story office building, many original features remain intact. Crank telephones, oak desks, inkwells, dictaphones and adding machines line the rooms where company officials once worked.

“All the bookwork was just left as it was the last day of operation,” Larson said.

“We have since moved things around, but everything is still all here,” Popp said. “The entry to the museum is still the paymaster’s office, you can just picture the time when employees were paid in company scrip that redeemable at the company store.”

Larson added they still have the enunciators on the wall. “They would use these to communicate,” he said. “It’s just amazing, I’m continually finding new things out every time I’m here.”

One of Larson’s favorites is the large walk-in vault that houses a music box Meyer gave his first grandson, G.H. Earle, on his first birthday. “It’s exquisite — it plays 10 tunes,” he said.

The second floor, which once served as a residence, features a living quarters, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms, along with rooms that display the production of the IXL flooring.

“We change up a few things or add things to display on the second floor each year,” Popp said.

The third level contains many documents, old travel trunks and equipment.

The museum complex extends beyond the main office and includes a company house, the former farm produce warehouse, restored train depot, caboose and pavilion — all reminders of a community built around the lumber industry.

“The original ‘company house’ is one of the oldest homes in Hermansville,” Popp said. “It is also decorated with furniture from that time period.”

Larson said the pavilion features many unique pieces of machinery.

“The warehouse is another museum in itself now — it houses many Hermansville artifacts,” he said.

The museum hopes to continue with upgrades such as replacing and repainting a side of the caboose and painting the exterior of the “company house.”

“I’m hoping to someday renovate the boxcar,” Larson said.

Popp and Larson credit late former charter member Eugene “Geno” Arduin Jr. with the establishment of the museum.

“He was so knowledgeable about everything that was in this museum as well as the history of Hermansville,” Popp said. “Not only did he serve as the grounds caretaker, he provided guided tours until he passed away.”

“It wouldn’t be what it is today without Geno,” Larson added.

The IXL Historical Museum Board still seeks donations for further upgrades and restoration of the buildings and grounds. Those wishing to make a donation can contact a museum member or email ixlmuseum1882@gmail.com.

“We appreciate any amount, large or small, as we couldn’t continue without the community’s support,” Larson said.

They are also in need of volunteers for the summer season.

“They don’t have to have any previous knowledge,” Popp said. “We also welcome new board members that are interested in helping continue preserving Hermansville’s unique history.”

Tours are available during open hours if visitors choose. “We try to customize it to what they want,” Popp said.

Museum officials hope the upcoming Fourth of July rededication will not only celebrate the renovated building, but also honor the generations of workers, families and entrepreneurs whose stories are preserved within its walls.

“We hope our community and those from surrounding areas come out to help us celebrate this accomplishment,” Popp added.

The multi-complex museum, at W5551 River St. is now open for the 2026 season. Regular hours are 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. They will be open through Labor Day weekend.

To arrange a tour, call the museum at 906-236-5163. Admission to the museum is by donation.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

IXL Historical Museum President Marilyn Popp and Grounds and Building Caretaker Paul Larson view the glass advertising plates from the early 1920s displayed on a light box that was handmade by the late Eugene “Geno” Arduin Jr. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)