The original Oneida Purchase Unit marked the beginning of Nicolet National Forest. The first tract of land, acquired from the Thunder Lake Lumber Company in 1928, contained 12,940 acres. Today the forest has 640,000 acres rich in scenic, recreational, historical and economic resources. Under the multiple-use management program of the United States Forest Service, it provides resources for industry and a wide variety of recreation. Thousands of acres whose trees were removed through logging or were ravaged by fire were reforested by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. The forest is named in honor of Jean Nicolet, who in 1634 was the first white man known to have traveled into what is now Wisconsin.