This wetland was once home to the last old growth tree left standing in McCleary. When it was finally cut down in the 1930s, the tree was dubbed "Shakespeare" since the rings indicated it dated back to ca. 1600.
The northern portion of First St., from Mommsen to Beck, once served as most of the eastern border of Henry McCleary's lumber mill.
So far as I know, the first three Euro-settlers in what is now McCleary were all foreign born. The Becks, who lived where the McCleary Hotel now stands, were Danish. The Mommsens, who lived at the end of the road that bears their name, were German. Jake Anderson, was a surly Norwegian bachelor who lived at the top of the T at present 5th and Oak.
