Near Portage in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic Indian Agency House
Built in 1832
Juliette Magill Kinzie wrote Wau-Bun, the Early Day in the Northwest about her life at Fort Winnebago and the Agency House. Wau-Bun means early day in Anishanabi (Ojibwa). Wau-Bun includes sketches she made that depicted the Wisconsin landscape before the land rush by American and European settlers. Wau-Bun is one of the most important records of the Northwest territory.
The site of Fort Winnebago was on the Mohr Farm northeast of this site across from the Surgeon's Quarters.
The Agency House cost $3,497.18 to build. Materials and labor came from long distances:
• Masons and carpenters came from St. Louis, Missouri, 718 river miles away.
• Lime was burned at Pierre Pauquette's farm "Bellefontain" twelve miles north of this site.
• Brick was made two miles away at the site of present-day Pauquette Park, Portage.
• Part of the lumber came from Green Bay and the rest was transported 70 to 80 miles down the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) River from the north.
• Finished doors probably were brought by ox team from Galena, Illinois.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Wisconsin purchased the Agency House in October, 1931 restored it and opened it to the public in 1932.
The Agency House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1931.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 43° 33.55′ N, 89° 26.22′ W. Marker was near Portage, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. Marker was on Agency House Road, 0.8 miles north of East Albert Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Portage WI 53901, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. The Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago (a few steps from this marker); The Indian Agency House (within shouting distance of this marker); Marquette (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Winnebago (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Fort Winnebago (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Winnebago Surgeons' Quarters (approx. 0.4 miles away); Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. half a mile away); Ketchum’s Point (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.
Also see . . . Historic Indian Agency House web site. (Submitted on June 1, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 970 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 6, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 5. submitted on June 1, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.