Established in 1888, Woodruff—like many towns in the Northwoods of Wisconsin—owes its existence to Wisconsin’s logging industry. The town, which sits just north of Minocqua in northern Oneida County, is believed to be named for George Woodruff of the Woodruff-Macguire Lumber Company, which logged the area at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, Woodruff’s abundant lakes and forests provide visitors with exciting recreational opportunities all year long. Arrowhead Lake and Brandy Lake are popular spots for fishing and boating, and the Raven Trail offers 11 miles of hiking and mountain biking east of town.
The World’s Largest Penny, located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Hemlock Street, commemorates a 1953 fundraiser where local teachers and students collected a million pennies to help build the area’s first hospital. The effort was inspired by Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb, a local physician known as “the angel on snowshoes”, who would brave winter weather to deliver medical care to residents across the area. Today, Woodruff is home to the Dr. Kate Museum, where visitors can learn more about Dr. Kate and the “Million Penny March”.
Woodruff’s downtown district, situated around the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Wisconsin Highway 47, features several dining options, including a craft brewery, a cafe, taverns, and ethnic restaurants.
