Frolic Lake

[PG]

Just looking over some old maps at work. Has anyone ever heard the body of water between Horse River and Lower Basswood Falls referred to as "Frolic Lake?" Found it on an old map.

As we went through Tin Can Mike Lake, on our most recent trip, Nibimocs informed me the DNR is pushing the name, "Murphy Lake" instead. Tin Can Mike Lake does seem a poor choice for such a beautiful lake, but I'd rather stick with an old name than replace it with a new name just to be politically correct. Old names reflect history.

There have been many lakes in the BWCA and Quetico renamed over the years. Does anyone else have an old name for a BWCA or Quetico lake - or stories about how a lake got its name?

PG

[Kawishiway]

Sigurd F. Olson wrote in "The Singing Wilderness", Chapter 2, "No Place in between".

Quoting Sigurd

"To the Chippewas that sprawling series of lakes and river known as the Kawashaway was a land of mystery. Bound by brooding stands of pine, it's waters were dark, their origins umknown. According to the acients, the land belonged to those who had gone, was forbidden to those that lived. From the Algonquin Kaw meaning "no" and Ashaway meaning "the place between." it took it's name: "no place between," a spirit land.

Primitive races all over the world have such places, their origins buried in mystery and forgotten legends. Strange things happen there, and the sense of awe and mystery are always present. The terrain is colored by it, as is everything found there. Some of the old ones understand and know why this must be, but the young ones laugh and ignore the tabos of the past."

"Kawashaway, now known as Kawishiwi."

I also understand that Kash means half and that there is another similar interpitation that Kawishiwi means half way or half way home.

It was after reading the above quote a few years back, my love for the Kawishiwi river, the district, and my friendships formed over the years with those at Kawishiwi Lodge, that I took my name.

Kawishiway

[qp]

PG said:

Just looking over some old maps at work. Has anyone ever heard the body of water between Horse River and Lower Basswood Falls referred to as "Frolic Lake?" Found it on an old map.

As we went through Tin Can Mike Lake, on our most recent trip, Nibimocs informed me the DNR is pushing the name, "Murphy Lake" instead. Tin Can Mike Lake does seem a poor choice for such a beautiful lake, but I'd rather stick with an old name than replace it with a new name just to be politically correct. Old names reflect history.

There have been many lakes in the BWCA and Quetico renamed over the years. Does anyone else have an old name for a BWCA or Quetico lake - or stories about how a lake got its name?

PG

Interesting you should mention this PG. Although I've not been in the BW other than to get to Prairie Portage I can tell you a few things about Quetico Lake names. This year we entered at Nym Lake as most here know. But 2 day before our trip I spent part of one of those at the library at French Lake. I had emailed Allision there about some research I'm doing on Quetico Lake names. What I found was very interesting as Shirley Peruniak who runs the library keeps an index card filed on each lake. And yes even though most people never get to look at them I managed to talk Allision into checking on a few lakes. I found that most of the info was filed from maps, even detailed as to which map and what year. Some maps even dated back into the 1880's. Next year when I head north I'm planning on at least 4 extra days. Two of those at the library in Atikokan area. Even if I do enter the Q at PP.
I have also noticed that the BW has several lakes with the same names. Most I find are in different counties. However I have found 2 lakes with the same name in the same county. I found this kind of odd, I would be very interested in understanding why if someone knows? In Quetico there are 3 sets of lakes with the same name. And one of those are spelled differently. I'd mention them but I have my reasons. As you all will find out in due time.
The winters up north may be long and cold but qp plans on several events here to make spring pop in before you know it.
qp