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By William J. Toman, July 9, 2010 | |
| | | 1. Madison is an Indian mound capital Marker | | |
Inscription. At least 887 earthen Indian mounds once dotted the land around lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa—so many that archaeologist Charles E. Brown once suggested Madison be renamed Mound City.
Most southern Wisconsin mounds were constructed between 2,800 and 900 years ago. At first Indians shaped them into cones, and later into animal, spirit, and linear forms. Often built on high ground near water, the mounds were burial sites and probably served other ceremonial purposes.
A long-tailed water spirit and two conical mounds once stood where Wilson Street intersects Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Water spirit mounds are sometimes called panther or turtle mounds.
Madison’s wealth of mounds suggests to some researchers that even in ancient times, our city was this region’s “capital.”
Sidebar:
Between 1908 and 1944, archaeologist Charles E. Brown led an effort to preserve Madison’s Indian mounds. The ancient earthworks of this area are sacred to many Ho-Chunk and other Indian people. European settlement gradually destroyed about 65 percent of the mounds in Dane County, but because of the efforts of Brown and others, more than 100 remain, one of the highest concentrations in the country.
Erected 2006 by City of Madison.
Location. | | | | 
By William J. Toman, July 9, 2010 | |
| | | 2. Closeup of Photo on Marker | | |
43° 4.351′ N, 89° 22.897′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and East Wilson Street, on the right when traveling south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Click for map. The marker is near the southeast corner of the City-County Building. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Madison WI 53703, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Fairchild Home (within shouting distance of this marker); State Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Olin Terrace (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison Club (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. Urich (within shouting distance of this marker); David James Schaefer (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison Catholic Clubhouse (about 300 feet away, in a direct line). Click for a list of all markers in Madison.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the The Madison Heritage Series, Sharing Our Legacy, created for Madison's sesquicentennial. The marker was sponsored by Sponsored by the Madison Community Foundation and Dean Health/St. Marys.
Regarding Madison is an Indian mound capital. | | | | 
By William J. Toman, July 9, 2010 | |
| | | 3. Madison is an Indian mound capital Marker | | The state capitol is in the background, with the City-County Building on the left; on the right, vendors are setting up for the Art Fair Off the Square. | | |
According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Charles E. Brown (1872-1946) was "founder of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society and museum director at the State Historical Society. In 1906 he published the first 'Record of Antiquities' in the Wisconsin Archaeologist; as more sites were reported, he included them in a series of five 'Additions' published in subsequent volumes. His maps and manuscripts are still heavily used by modern archaeologists."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers at Madison area Indian mounds.
Also see . . . Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County. A 1996 survey published by the City of Madison and the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Submitted on July 22, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Credits. This page originally submitted on July 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,547 times since then. Last updated on September 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 11, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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