Historically, the area that is now the Reserve was mostly made up of poor agricultural land. Bedrock close to the surface made some areas wet and difficult to drain, while other areas were too dry for crops. The land was mostly used for grazing dairy cattle, although corn and grain were planted on higher areas. By the 1950's and 60's, many farmers abandoned the infertile land. Evidence of the old farms can still be seen in the reserve: rusted farm machinery, foundations buried under fallen leaves, straight canals constructed to drain the fields and pastures to Moses Creek, barbed wire marks in the trunks of large fencerow trees, and young aspen and red maple trees growing in old fields.

In 1956, the University began purchasing land north of campus. Students and faculty enjoyed a new picnic area in these natural surroundings. Fires lit by careless travelers flicking cigarettes out of their windows burned through the natural area several times. Students from the university's Conservation Department were more than happy to abandon their studies in favor of fighting forest fires.  Furrows dug to stop the flames can still be seen snaking through the Reserve.

By 1969, the University owned 127 acres of this undeveloped land. The area was considered for many uses, including residence halls, married student housing, a physical education building, and athletic fields. Finally, in 1974 the University submitted a proposal to use the land for hiking trails, sport trails, and an arboretum.

The construction of Sentry Insurance's world headquarters led to major changes that facilitated the creation of the reserve. First, the local leadership anticipated an increase in traffic. Reserve Street, a road that ran through campus to the new headquarters, was dismantled to reduce the danger to students. Michigan Avenue was extended in 1975 to serve Sentry instead. This extension was hotly debated by students, faculty, and community members, as it divided the natural area. 

Second, Sentry needed fill for their new building site. The company formed an agreement with the UW-Stevens Point Foundation to excavate the necessary soil from a 50-acre tract of land adjacent to the university-owned area. The excavation would fill with spring water and become the 24-acre lake, which has become the jewel of Schmeeckle Reserve.  The lake was officially named Lake Joanis in 1994 after former Sentry Insurance President John Joanis, who paid for its excavation.

In 1976, Schmeeckle Reserve was established with a $250,000 Land and Water Conservation (LAWCON) grant.  The 50-acre parcel of land with the lake became part of the university-owned property.  

The first director of Schmeeckle Reserve, Ron Zimmerman, was hired in 1977.  Under his leadership, 20 more acres were purchased with a LAWCON grant in 1979 that included a ranch home once owned by the Edward Wojcik family.  Over the course of the three years, students converted the house into the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center.  The garage became a meeting room, and the old bathroom became the front desk area.  By 1981, LAWCON had funded over five miles of trails and boardwalks, a fitness trail, and the shelter building.

Over the years, Schmeeckle Reserve has continued to expand its facilities and resources.  When the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame was created in 1984, Schmeeckle Reserve became its new home.  In 1990, the Hall of Fame constructed a new addition to the Visitor Center with funding from the city's Motel Room Tax and more LAWCON funding.  The addition included a walk-through exhibit area, formal Hall of Fame gallery, meeting room, and sign-making shop.

With the 1998 acquisition of the 75-acre Berard Oaks area at the northeast corner of the Reserve, Schmeeckle has grown to 275 acres.  The Reserve continues to evolve, as new trails are developed, further land acquisitions are sought, and prairie and oak savannah habitats are restored.