Smokey memorabilia back home

Published Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:41:24 AM Central Time

By DELLA JULIANO

Globe Staff Writer

MERCER, Wis.

The Wisconsin Department of natural Resources is officially credited with fabricating the nation's first Smokey Bear costume. The head of this costume is at home today in the WDNR Ranger Station in Mercer.

During World War II, Americans were afraid an enemy attack or sabotage could destroy the U.S. forest resources. At the time, wood was a primary commodity for battleships, gunstocks, and packing crates for military transport.

Due to this concern, in 1942 the USDA Forest Service, assisted by the War Advertising Council, organized a forest fire prevention program. The program encouraged U.S. citizens to assist the war effort by making a personal effort to prevent forest fires.

In 1944, the council produced the first fire prevention poster using animals to promote the prevention message. Shortly thereafter a bear was chosen to be the fire prevention campaign symbol.

The next year "Smokey Bear," drawn by illustrator Albert Staehle, appeared on posters along with words of caution about forest fires. Soon posters and billboards, as well as ads in newspapers and magazines were stressing the need to be careful with fires.

In 1950, the Mercer Ranger Station received a request to enter a float in the Fireman's Convention parade in Hurley. The rangers agreed their float would have a Smokey Bear riding on it. They search for a stuffed bear, but couldn't find one that was friendly looking or standing upright. Conservation aide Frank Brunner Jr. made a bearskin and wood Smokey. The framework was wood and the head was carved from a piece of cedar post.

After the parade an actual costume was made. According to information at the Mercer Ranger Station, Brunner worked with taxidermist Neal Long to design the Smokey suit, which was made from bear hides. Ada Hart, a stenographer at the Mercer Ranger Station was said to have sewn the suit together.

The following month, a ranger wearing the newly designed Smokey Bear costume was in a parade in Wausau. It wasn't long before the National Forest Service had a lot of rangers wearing Smokey Bear costumes.

The first Smokey consume was considered "imperfect." The head was too small and he didn't have a permanent hat on his head, but for three years, the rangers visited schools and rode in parade with the personified bear.

For over 50 years, and with much more "perfect" costumes, Smokey Bear has continued his fire prevention message.

The head of the original costume was recused from a warehouse by forestry technician Dave Sleight and now resides at the Mercer Ranger Station. The station is a half-mile north of Mercer on State House Road and is open from 7:45 to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. on Wednesdays or by appointment. Call (715) 476-2240 for more information.