Near Keshena in Menominee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Spirit Rock

Photographed by Bob (peach) Weber, July 15, 2012

1. Spirit Rock Marker

Inscription. One night long ago a Menominee Indian dreamed that Manabush, grandson of Ko-Ko-Mas-Say-Sa-Now (the Earth) and part founder of the Mitawin or Medicine Society, invited him to visit the god. With seven of his friends the Indian called on Manabush who granted their request to make them successful hunters. One of the band, however, angered the god by asking for eternal life. Manabush, seizing the warrior by the shoulders, thrust him into the ground and said, "You shall be a stone, thus you will be everlasting". The Menominee say that at night kindly spirits come to lay offerings of tobacco at the rock and that if one looks closely he can see their white veils among the trees. The legend is that when the rock finally crumbles away the race will be extinct.

Erected 1963 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 127.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list.

Location. 44° 55.079′ N, 88° 39.034′ W. Marker

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is near Keshena, Wisconsin, in Menominee County. It is on State Highway 55 north of Spirit Rock Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in the Menominee Reservation at a turn-out along the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keshena WI 54135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

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 4 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Keshena Falls & The Menominee (approx. 1.8 miles away); Menominee Reservation (approx. 4½ miles away); The Gresham Depot Museum (approx. 8 miles away); Shawano (approx. 11 miles away).

Photographed by Greta Schassler, July 5, 2024

2. Spirit Rock Marker

Photographed by Bob (peach) Weber, July 15, 2012

3. Spirit Rock Marker

Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2008

4. Spirit Rock

Located by the white fog line at the edge of the highway.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 7,617 times since then and 428 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 17, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 2. submitted on July 8, 2024, by Greta Mulder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 17, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 4. submitted on November 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.