Near Port Edwards in Wood County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cranberry Culture

Photographed by Keith L, June 20, 2007

1. Cranberry Culture Marker

Inscription. For countless ages the wild cranberry flourished in many marshy areas of Central Wisconsin. In 1829 Daniel Whitney mentioned the purchase of three canoe loads of cranberries brought down the Yellow River by Indians from the area now known as Cranmoor. During the 1870s a few hardy souls literally carved out by hand the bogs in this area and, in spite of many hazards such as fires and lack of water, succeeded in establishing a new crop. With time the native vines were supplanted by higher producing selections which have given some of the highest yields per acre in the nation. At the turn of the century hand-picking predominated. Later, improved rakes replaced the colorful family groups together with their nightly entertainment. Today the machine has replaced hand labor in the operation of the bogs, and many of the simple pleasures and intimate associations accompanying the laborious tasks of the cranberry bogs are now only memories of the past.

Erected 1959 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 86.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition,

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it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 44° 20.86′ N, 89° 58.816′ W. Marker is near Port Edwards, Wisconsin, in Wood County. It is on State Highway 54 0.8 miles west of County Highway GG, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Edwards WI 54469, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nekoosa War Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); Ed “Strangler” Lewis (approx. 4½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Point Basse (approx. 4.9 miles away); Wood County Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away).

Photographed by Keith L, June 20, 2007

2. Cranberry Culture Marker

Cranberry Bogs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 20, 2007

3. Cranberry Bogs

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,840 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.