Saxon Harbor is located onLake Superior'sOronto Bay inIron County, Wisconsin, United States.[1] The harbor, adjacent to Oronto Creek, is a part of a county park that includes deep sea fishing, camping and a sandy beach stretching for four miles westward.[2][3] Historically, this was near the beginning of an ancient Native American trade route known as the Flambeau Trail and was the site of a fur trading post operated byJohn Jacob Astor'sAmerican Fur Company from 1808 to 1830.
In 2006, a $2.17 million expansion to the harbor was completed. Primarily funded by a Section 154 grant set up byU.S. RepresentativeDave Obey, the project added a new harborbasin, shoreline protection, new docks and restroom facilities andAmerican Disability Act-complaint sidewalks.[4]
On the night of July 11, 2016, a major storm destroyed the harbor. Oronto Creek spilled over its banks, washing down trees and brush; its water flowed into the harbor, washing away boats, vehicles, asphalt, concrete, and trailers at the campground. One fatality occurred at the harbor.[5] It has since been rebuilt.[6]
46°33′46″N90°26′04″W / 46.56278°N 90.43444°W /46.56278; -90.43444