Keshena in Menominee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Keshena Falls & The Menominee
From the Pineries to the Present
— Heritage Tourism Area —
Of nine million acres of land in Wisconsin originally controlled by the Menominee, they chose the surrounding Keshena Falls as their present reservation. Because sturgeon were so important to the Menominee, so too was the falls. It was here that sturgeon stopped on their upstream spawning runs each spring, until construction of two downstream dams blocked their annual return.
It is said there is an underwater drum at the foot of the falls. In spring, high water beats the drum, calling the sturgeon home. Each spring for thousands of years, the sturgeon were called home from Lake Winnebago to these falls.
Because the falls was such an important site to the Tribe, it was here that the Treaty of 1854 was signed, establishing the Menominee Reservation. The first Menominee-Wisconsin casino compact was also signed here in 1992.
Historically, Keshena Falls was the location of a dancing ground where Pow-Wows ere held each Sunday. A hydroelectric plant also operated here, providing electricity to tribal members for many years.
The Pow-Wows have been moved to the Woodland Bowl, the hydroelectric plant has been removed and the sturgeon come only as far north as Shawano. Yet, Keshena Falls is still, and will remain, a treasured place in the hearts of the Menominee.
Erected by From the Pineries to the Present Heritage Tourism Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 44° 53.538′ N, 88° 39.056′ W. Marker is in Keshena, Wisconsin, in Menominee County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Keshena Falls Road (State Highway 9) and State Highway 55. Follow the signs on Highway 55 to Keshena Falls. Enter the Falls site. The marker is on the right, just before the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keshena WI 54135, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Spirit Rock (approx. 1.8 miles away); Menominee Reservation (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Gresham Depot Museum (approx. 7.2 miles away); Shawano (approx. 9.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Menominee returning sturgeon to Keshena Falls. New media website entry (Submitted on November 20, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. This page has been viewed 1,030 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 26, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.