Babb's Ford Marker

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Reedsburg in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Babb's Ford
1844 · 1851

Babb's Ford Marker Photo, Click for full size

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

1. Babb's Ford Marker

Inscription.
In Memory.
J.W. Babb. First
White Settler.

Babbs Ford
1844 · 1851

Donated By
M. Baker, Grandson.

Made By
H.V. Hamilton.

Erected by M. Baker and H.V. Hamilton. (Marker Number 89.)

Location. 43° 31.943′ N, 90° 0.663′ W. Marker is in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, in Sauk County. Marker is on East Main Street (State Highway 23/33) west of Webb Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Click for map. Marker is by the east bank of the Baraboo River. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 East Main Street, Reedsburg WI 53959, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clare Briggs, Cartoonist (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clare A. Briggs – Cartoonist (approx. 4.2 miles away); Van Hise Rock (approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named Van Hise Rock (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Ironton Mine (approx. 6.6 miles away); Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society (approx. 8.5 miles away); Vodak Memorial Park (approx. 8.8 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Reedsburg.

More about this marker. Babb's Ford was the only river crossing in the area from 1844 to 1851. Babb's Ford, or Babb's Crossing, is where a bridge now spans the Baraboo River in Reedsburg; named for James Wilson Babb (1789-1875), who was the earliest settler in the region.
This is a Wisconsin Registered Landmark – Number 89; Wisconsin Council for Local History.

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

2. Babb's Ford Marker

Also see . . .
1. Reedsburg's Notable Citizens. "Our most noted pioneer arrived here before Reedsburg was even a place. In the spring of 1844 this was just a lonely spot known to the few settlers in Wisconsin as 'Indian Ford.'" (Submitted on July 22, 2010.)

2. James Babb. (Submitted on July 22, 2010.)
3. History of Reedsburg. (Submitted on July 22, 2010.)

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

3. Babb's Ford Marker

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

4. Babb's Ford Marker

Woolen Mill display is in the left background.

Woolen Mill "Picker" Photo, Click for full size

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

5. Woolen Mill "Picker"

The Baraboo River is in the background.

By K. Linzmeier, July 19, 2010

6. Woolen Mill "Picker"

Located on this site, the Wollen Mill was a major industry in Reedsburg from 1882 to 1967. The Mill was destroyed by fire April 9, 1968. This wheel was part of a "picker" used to clean the wool and remove the clumps before it went to the carding room where it was combed into strands.
As an historic remnant of the Woolen Mill, this wheel serves as a symbol of recognition for the thousands of people who worked there, weaving the fabric of Reedsburg's future.

Credits. This page originally submitted on July 22, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 254 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 22, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.