Cassian, WI

History

The earliest record found of Cassian, which was originally part of Woodboro, is the record of an ordinance passed in February 1903.  Early settlers were lured by reports of great farming opportunities in the region. About the end of World War II, discontent developed within the township. Steps were taken in 1948 to separate the “lower” township and form a new township — Nokomis.

Cassian is in the town of the same name, its exact location being on the line between Sections 14 and 15, Township 36 north of Range 6 east. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 20 miles west of Rhinelander and 10 from Tomahawk, the nearest banking point. Cassian was started as Cassanova Junction about 1885, a branch track being built off from the main line of the C., M. & St. P. railway for the transportation of log timber that was sent to Wausau. There was at one time a small sawmill here that cut for the Wausau Box Co. and logging operations in the vicinity were carried on by the Stewart Lumber Co. and also by Gilkey & Anson. After a store had been built the name of the place was changed to Cassian. Jens P. Jensen started a store here in 1903 and conducted it until 1920, when he sold out, though he still owns the building. For a number of years he was postmaster until rural delivery was put in from Bradley. Cassian is now simply a farming community. In the town of Cassian some Indian mounds were found in 1913 by representatives of the Wisconsin Archeological Society.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.3 square miles (177.0 km2), of which, 65.0 square miles (168.3 km2) of it is land and 3.4 square miles (8.7 km2) of it (4.92%) is water.

Population

The population in Cassian is 1,069. There are 15 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Cassian is 49.5, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Cassian is 2.4, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Cassian

• 71.9% are married
• 8.0% are divorced
• 24.4% are married with children
• 5.2% have children, but are single

Race in Cassian

• 97.1% are white
• 0.0% are black
• 0.0% are asian
• 0.0% are native american
• 0.0% claim Other
• 2.5% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
• 0.3% Two or More Races
• 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,844, and the median income for a family was $47,000. Males had a median income of $35,208 versus $23,906 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,794. About 4.1% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Cassian, the county and surrounding communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services.

Schools

The Town of Cassian is partly in the Minocqua and Rhinelander school districts and is also served by two parochial elementary schools in Rhinelander. Cassian-Woodboro Elementary School, located at 9086 County Hwy K, Harshaw, WI 54529, is a School District of Rhinelander elementary school. 

Nicolet College – Nicolet Area Technical College (also Nicolet College) is a public 2-year technical college whose main campus is in Rhinelander.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Cassian: 

• Northcentral Technical College (about 49 miles; Wausau, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,356) 
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (about 81 miles; Stevens Point, WI; FT enrollment: 9,089) 
• Mid-State Technical College (about 90 miles; Wisconsin Rapids, WI; FT enrollment: 2,128) 
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (about 108 miles; Eau Claire, WI; FT enrollment: 10,143) 
• Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (about 108 miles; Shell Lake, WI; FT enrollment: 2,414) 
• Chippewa Valley Technical College (about 108 miles; Eau Claire, WI; FT enrollment: 4,038) 
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (about 112 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 6,069)

Healthcare

Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua and Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff are the nearest medical facilities.

Hospitals and medical centers near Cassian: 

• DR KATE’S WOODLAND MANOR (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
• AVANTI HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER, LLC (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; MINOCQUA, WI) 
• SACRED HEART HSPTL Critical Access Hospitals (about 14 miles away; TOMAHAWK, WI) 
• FRIENDLY VILLAGE (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• FRIENDLY VILLAGE NURSING AND REHAB CENTER (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• HORIZONS UNLIMITED (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI) 
• TAYLOR PARK NURSING AND REHAB CTR (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; RHINELANDER, WI)

Outdoor Points of Interest

The Town of Cassian offers a quiet, rural get-away only minutes from Minocqua, Tomahawk or Rhinelander, providing ample opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, swimming, snowmobiling and other lake or woods based experience.

Local park facilities within the Town of Cassian include the athletic fields/courts and a playground at the Northwoods Community Elementary School, the Sand Lake Beach, and the playground at the Lutheran Church which is used by many local residents. The Town also hosts the Cassian Two-way Ski Trail in the Cassian-Woodboro Block of the county forest. The Bearskin State Trail passes through the Town. Also located within the Town is the Pinewood Golf Course which is currently a 18-hole facility.

Great Lakes or Chains

Some of the great lakes in the Town of Cassian:

Alva Lake. Alva Lake is a 199 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 43 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Little Bearskin Lake. Little Bearskin Lake is a 184 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is low.

Bearskin Lake. Bearskin Lake is a 403 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is low.

Birch Lake. Birch Lake is a 198 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

East Horsehead Lake. East Horsehead Lake is a 191 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

West Horsehead Lake. West Horsehead Lake is a 145 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 23 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Long Lake. Long Lake is a 113 acre lake located in Oneida County. It has a maximum depth of 58 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Walleye.

Art Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

Cassian Town Hall

The Town Hall is located on Church Road and also houses the Fire Department. The Town Hall serves as a meeting room available for Town residents use and includes a kitchen and restrooms, as well as outdoor facilities including a pavilion.

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $208,393.59

2021 Ave Price Sold: $283,659.37

2023 Ave Price Sold: $365,340.91