Phelps, Wisconsin
Who We Are
About
Phelps is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,238 in 2020. The unincorporated community of Phelps is located in the town.
History
The area that is today Phelps was originally inhabited by the Chippewa Indian people. In the early 18th century, French trappers and fur traders settled in the area. Lac Vieux Desert served as a crossroads for this trade. Due to the abundance of healthy forest in the area, the logging business first arrived to exploit this resource in 1896. A large Finnish population moved to the town, significantly increasing its population, between 1906 and 1912. The town was originally named Hackley, but was renamed to Phelps in 1912 after William Phelps, a partner in the Hackley, Phelps & Bonnell Company.
Phelps: A Gem in Vilas County
Phelps, Wisconsin is a gem that few people know about!
Phelps is located about 15 miles northeast of Eagle River, Wisconsin, in Vilas County. With a population of just over 1,500 people, this small town is nestled within the 650,000-acre Nicolet National Forest. Nearly 75% of the land in the township is Nicolet National Forest. And Ottawa National Forest is just two miles to the north in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The headwaters of the mighty Wisconsin River and the Deerskin River begin in Phelps and other waters flow into Lake Michigan.
Phelps is a great place to start a business, raise a family, and send your children to a world-class, award-winning school while living in the beauty of the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The School District of Phelps has a tradition of providing high-quality education in a creative environment, and you won’t find a friendlier small town in Wisconsin.
Discover a fantastic four-season destination for all outdoor enthusiasts, or the community you have been looking for to call home!