Unearthing Captain R.D. Pike: New Research, New Stories

Cost: Free Venue: BHA – 30 North Broad Street, Bayfield. Join us on Wednesday, July 22 @ 7PM at BHA for the next John Matthew Black Program. This fascinating summer lecture brings fresh insight to one of Bayfield’s most important early figures — Captain R.D. Pike. Drawing from newly uncovered research and a book currently in progress, this program offers a deeper look at Pike’s life, legacy, and family than ever before. The author will explore Pike’s early years and Civil War service, placing his military experience within the broader context of the Union Army—an important chapter of his life that unfolded far from Bayfield and is often overlooked in local histories. From the war years to prospecting in the American West, the story follows Pike’s journey back to Bayfield in the summer of 1866, where his lasting impact on the community began. Joining the presentation is historian and genealogist Vicki Tobias, who will share highlights from her ambitious biographical history of the Pike family. Her work traces R.D. Pike’s ancestors, wives, and descendants, revealing connections and stories that enrich our understanding of Bayfield’s past. After two years of research, together they have uncovered remarkable new details—true historical gems—that shed new light on Captain Pike and his family. The Bayfield Heritage Association’s John Matthew Black Program Series is generously sponsored by the Apostle Islands Historic Preservation Conservancy.