Dudgeon-Monroe in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Indian Bird Effigy Mound
Photographed By John Graham, May 10, 2018
1. Indian Bird Effigy Mound Marker
Erected 1919 by History Department of the Madison Woman's Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Man-Made Features • Native Americans.
Location. 43° 3.438′ N, 89° 25.406′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Dudgeon-Monroe. Marker can be reached from Woodrow St. Marker is along the sidewalk in the Edgewood College Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the Edgewood Park and Pleasure Drive (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); John M. Olin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Panther Mound (approx. ¼ mile away); Edgewood (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of Our Beloved Sons (approx. half a mile away); Vilas (approx. half a mile away); Larson House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Plough Inn (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Regarding Indian Bird Effigy Mound. The Edgewood College campus area is a very special place. The original inhabitants to this area are gone, but the physical
this page online
Effigy Mounds are recontact earthworks that need to be valued and protected. Ninety percent of the world's effigy mounts are located in southern Wisconsin. Originally there were about 2,000 - 3,000 mounds in Dane County. Eighty percent of the effigy mounds have been totally destroyed.
The Sounds are actually earthen sculptures. They were constructed by outlining a specific shape and pilling many layers of earth within the lines. Soil was transported from other areas as evidenced by soil samples taken from the mounds. Very few ornaments are found inside these mounds except for shells, pottery shards, copper and sometimes the bones of their ancestors.
Effigy mounds are clustered in groups near water and appear to tell a story. The complete story they tell is unknown to us at this time. However, we do know that some mounds were to be used as solstice and equinox markers. Others were constructed to honor a deceased clan member, as clan totems, and/or artistic creations that tell a story. They have been used by the Winnebagos for various sacred ceremonies.
Effigy mound groups can be found in various shapes and sizes. At one time, on what is now the Edgewood College campus,
Photographed By John Graham, May 10, 2018
2. Indian Bird Effigy Mound grounds
This bird effigy mound has wings that span 200 feet; however, the tips of both its wings have been cut off by the construction of the sidewalk and Woodrow Street. The body length of the mound is 80 feet.
To show honor and respect to the Native American's of the past and present, and to help prevent erosion, please view the bird mound from the sidewalk or walk around it.
The Sinsinawa Dominican's founded Edgewood College in 1927. One translation of the Winnebago word "Sinsinawa" is "home of the young eagle."
Additional keywords. Burial, Native American
Photographed By John Graham, May 10, 2018
3. Indian Bird Effigy Mound Marker sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2018, by John Graham of Madison, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2018, by John Graham of Madison, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
