Wisconsin Death Trip

Badgerland Journal

Between 1890-1910 Black River Falls fell on hard times, due to the lumber industry and mines failing. People were out of work, and many succumbed to alcoholism, mental health issues, or other sinister means. In 1973 Michael Lesy wrote a book using photographs and newspaper articles from the time to show how grisly and morbid life was during this time. His book Wisconsin Death Trip was turned into a documentary in 1999. This episode dives into macabre and grotesque stories during this time.

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Sources:

“Black River Falls, Wisconsin History - Overcoming Disasters.” Black River Falls Association, January 24, 2022. https://www.downtownblackriverfalls.com/history/.

“A Brief History of Black River Falls.” Wisconsin Historical Society, July 27, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2460.

Godfrey, Linda S., Richard D. Hendricks, Mark Moran, and Mark Sceurman. Weird Wisconsin: Your Travel Guide to Wisconsin’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. New York: Sterling Publication Compnay, 2012.

Krulos, Tea. Wisconsin Legends & Lore. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2020.

Lesy, Michael. Wisconsin Death Trip, 1999. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t_dORA0pG8.

McCann, Erin. “The Most Horrifying Things That Happened in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.” Ranker, May 9, 2023. https://www.ranker.com/list/terrible-things-that-happened-in-black-river-falls-wisconsin/erin-mccann.