[1] The name commemorates Old Abe,[2] a bald eagle that was captured in 1861 by Ahgamahwegezhig, a Native American man, near the South Fork of the Flambeau River.

At Jim Falls, which is on the trail, he sold the eagle to tavern keeper Daniel McCann, who in turn sold it to soldiers of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Old Abe became their mascot, who accompanied them during many battles of the American Civil War.

[2] Old Abe State Trail is managed cooperatively by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Chippewa County.

[5] An extension south to Eau Claire is planned to link to the Chippewa River State Trail.