Vilas in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indian Mounds

Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 23, 2009

1. Indian Mounds Marker

Inscription. One of the several groups of prehistoric burial, linear and effigy mounds formerly located on the crest of the Monona-Wingra ridge. Several of these were surveyed by Increase A. Lapham, in 1850.

Village site was in the park below.

Marked for the Wisconsin Archaeological Society by W.W. Warner, 1914.

Erected 1914 by Wisconsin Archaeological Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 43° 3.582′ N, 89° 24.51′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Vilas. Marker is at the intersection of Erin Street and Wingra Street, on the left when traveling west on Erin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vilas (approx. ¼ mile away); Bear (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bowen House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Larson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Edward Klief Park (approx. half a mile away); Longfellow School (approx. half a mile away); Greenbush (approx. half a mile away); Panther Mound (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Indian Mounds.

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According to a 1996 survey by Robert A. Birmingham and Katherine H. Rankin entitled Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County, "Overlooking the zoo at the corner of Erin and Wingra Streets is a Late Woodland mound group consisting of a bird effigy, a linear and six conicals. Two or three additional conicals and another bird have been destroyed. The plaque marking this group was dedicated in 1915 in a ceremony attended by representatives of twelve Native American tribes. Other mounds were once located below, on the grounds of the zoo proper. Most of Vilas Park was originally a marsh, providing a bounty of fish, birds, small game and wild rice to the mound builders."

According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, which designated the mounds, dating from 700-1200 A.D., as a landmark (no. 95) in 1990, "Wisconsin has the highest concentration of effigy mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentration of effigy mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds

Indian Mound Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 23, 2009

2. Indian Mound Park

tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect."

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 15, 2010

3. Indian Mounds Marker

With mounds in the background.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 15, 2010

4. Indian Mounds Marker

Another view.

Map of Indian Mounds Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County, July 25, 2010

5. Map of Indian Mounds Marker Area

Black shading indicates existing mounds and grey shading shows lost mounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,435 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on October 15, 2010. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on July 25, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.