Eagle River, Wisconsin - Pleasure Island - Vague Recollections

I remember Pleasure Island. We used to camp at Pine Aire in Eagle River every summer. I remember the "haunted house" you could walk through with the skeleton playing piano in front (scary for a 6 year old). On the train ride the robbers called me "Rufus" one year, as I was the unlucky holder of the "gold." I was super scared - they took me off the train and talked about shooting me or hanging me. One year they even took everybody's wallets and watches (of course gave them all back at the end). The gunfights were pretty convincing from a kid's perspective.

The best part was driving the old time cars they had -- big ones for the whole family and the little kid ones on the playground area. They also had little kid paddle boats, an old windmill you could go in, as well as Mother Goose's shoe house. [Nate, 06/30/2008]

As a child I went to Pleasure Island at least 2 times each summer from the time I was 5 until I was an adult. I was so disappointed the year I went with my first child -- so she could experience all of the fun I had experienced -- only to find it was closed. I remember that my dad was friends with stage coach driver and that two of the horses names were Sis and Molly. We would go to where the stage coach and horses were stored at night and ride in the back way to the park on the stage coach and get in free. I guess knowing the stage coach driver certainly had its perks. [Barb, 06/19/2008]

Wow. My dreams are complete. My family used to camp at the Spectacle Lake campground in the north of Wisconsin. We would drive by this attraction every summer.

It was very important to be on that side of the van when passing Pleasure Island, as we would never be allowed to stop, as it was "a tourist trap." I had a gold coin with embossed sides from Pleasure Island. Totally remember all the signs for the restaurant and rides. [Brion Vytlacil, 06/18/2008]

Pleasure Island was indeed an attraction in Eagle River. Part of it is still there, near the river, where the snowmobile derbies take place. I can take you back to the '60s. It was a main attraction, along with Aqualand in Boulder Junction.

I'd like to add one more fact: The Christmas barn was a restaurant called Babe's Blue Ox Inn. They specialized in family style serving. The had a special: if you could eat a 32 oz. T-bone in one sitting, it was free. My dad always talked about it, and one year he tried it! We drove back to Arbor Vitae with his pants unbuttoned. He leaned back in an adirondack chair when we got back to the cabin, and he leaned back and sat there for some time. I guess we'd call that heart-attack on a plate now! [Jean Walker, 06/03/2008]

Anyone remeber Soda Pop the Bear? I used to think it was so cool that a bear would drink pop! Now, I think how crazy it was.

I also remember the great train ride! My brother was around 5 back then, and when the robber came out of the woods to steal my Mom's purse, he jumped over the seats and whacked him. This was after a few years of visits -- before he was five he would cry at even the thought of going on the train ride!

I wish it was still around. [Beth Bongiorno, 05/13/2008]