An environmental historian studies land use in Wisconsin from 1800 to 1900. In 1850, 40% of the 12,000-acre region was forest, but due to logging, 30% of the forest was lost. Meanwhile, 15% of the land was converted to farmland, and half of the cleared forest land was reforested by 1900. How many acres were forested in 1900?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:43:58 +0000

Studying Land Use in Wisconsin: How Logging and Farming Transformed State Forests from 1800 to 1900 From 1800 to 1900, Wisconsin’s landscape underwent dramatic changes driven by human activity—particularly logging, agriculture, and natural regeneration. An environmental historian examining land use in the state reveals a compelling transformation in forest cover during this critical century. In 1850, a 12,000-acre region contained 40% forest, equaling 4,800 acres of woodland. By the late 19th century, rampant logging had drastically reduced this forestry. Historical records show that over three-quarters of the original forest was lost—specifically, 30% of the 4,800 acres disappeared due to industrial-scale timber harvesting. This means approximately 1,440 acres of forest were cleared by 1900. Meanwhile, 15% of the original land area—equaling 1,800 acres—was converted to farmland, primarily in quieter settlement zones and fertile valleys. By 1900, that portion of forestland had been permanently cleared and repurposed.