 In 1895, a Wisconsin lumberman by the name of A.D. Johnston purchased of land at the south end of Clark Lake with the intent to cut the large pines located there.Upon seeing the land for himself, he was so taken by the rugged beauty of it that he changed his mind and decided to preserve it.He soon invited friends, many of whom were equally impressed and so moved to purchase adjacent lands, and after some time the Sylvania Club was formed, with fishing, hunting, and hiking being the main focus.