La Pointe in Ashland County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Madeline Island
Known to the Ojibway Indians as Moningwunakauning, "The Home of The Golden Breasted Woodpecker"
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012
1. Madeline Island Marker
Inscription.
Madeline Island. Known to the Ojibway Indians as Moningwunakauning, "The Home of The Golden Breasted Woodpecker". The largest of the Apostle Islands was one of the earliest areas of Indian settlement, fur trade, missionary activity and commercial fishing in the interior of North America. It was discovered by French explorers in 1659. Trading posts were built here for the French by Le Sueur in 1693 and for the British by Michel Cadotte in 1793. In 1834 this site and present La Pointe dock became headquarters for the Northern Outfit of the American Fur Company. Missionary operations began about 1830 with the erection of a Protestant Church followed by Father Baraga's Catholic Church.
The largest of the Apostle Islands was one of the earliest areas of Indian settlement, fur trade, missionary activity and commercial fishing in the interior of North America. It was discovered by French explorers in 1659. Trading posts were built here for the French by Le Sueur in 1693 and for the British by Michel Cadotte in 1793. In 1834 this site and present La Pointe dock became headquarters for the Northern Outfit of the American Fur Company. Missionary operations began about 1830 with the erection of a Protestant Church followed by Father Baraga's Catholic Church.
Erected 1961 by Madeline Island Historical Museum. (Marker Number 108.)
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 46° 46.814′ N, 90° 47.297′ W. Marker was in La Pointe, Wisconsin, in Ashland County. Marker was at the intersection of Bayfield - La Pointe Avenue and Colonel Woods Avenue (County
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Route H), on the left when traveling north on Bayfield - La Pointe Avenue. This marker has been replaced by Mooningwaanikaaning Wisconsin State Historical Marker (https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=234361). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 226 Colonel Woods Ave, La Pointe WI 54850, 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.
Also see . . . 1. Madeline island History. (Submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin.) 2. Madeline Island Museum. (Submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin.)
Photographed By Fitzie Heimdahl
2. An additional Madeline Island Marker
Mooningwanekaaning-minis
Telling a fuller history
The Ojibwe are among the Indigenous peoples who
have called Mooningwanekaaning home since time
immemorial.
Also known as Madeline Island, the human story
of Mooningwanekaaning is continuous. It spans
thousands of years-beginning long before the
1600s, when Europeans first arrived in the region.
A historical marker erected in 1961 at this location
inaccurately claimed the French discovered the
island. The marker did not fully recognize the Ojibwe
and their central significance to the island's history.
The Wisconsin Historical Society engages different
perspectives and examines historical sources
to better understand the past. The Society used
community input as part of the process in removing
the Madeline Island historical marker at this location.
The Wisconsin Historical Society will work with
members of the Ojibwe and local community to erect
a new historical marker at this location in 2023.
This is part of an effort by the Society to address
the longstanding exclusion of historically
underrepresented communities from the historical
narrative.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012
3. Madeline Island Marker
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012
4. Madeline Island Historical Museum sign
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012
5. Madeline Island Museum grounds
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,429 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on October 16, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos:1. submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 26, 2022, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.