Near Hillsboro in Vernon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
African American Settlers of Cheyenne Valley
Photographed By Keith L, May 5, 2009
1. African American Settlers of Cheyenne Valley Marker
The Cheyenne Valley area near Hillsboro was Wisconsin’s largest rural African American settlement in the 19th century. The State’s early defiance of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and the later demise of the slavery system after the Civil War encouraged freed slaves to settle in Wisconsin. Nearly 150 African American settlers, with the assistance of the Quaker religious order, came to Hillsboro, where they successfully farmed. Many settlers became landowners, and a few, like Thomas Shivers who was born on a Tennessee plantation, owned large acreages. The African American settlers socialized well with neighboring European immigrants, establishing among the State’s the first integrated schools, churches and sporting teams. Thomas Shiver’s son, Alga Shivers, was a notable builder, designing and constructing many of Vernon County’s round barns in the early 20th century. The advent of the automobile, and other elements of change, led to the gradual decline of the rural African American population.Erected 1997 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 383.)
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Location. 43° 38.964′ N, 90° 21.015′ W. Marker is near Hillsboro, Wisconsin, in Vernon County. Marker can be reached from Elm Street, 0.1 miles north of Water Avenue (Wisconsin Highway 80), on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Cheyenne Settlers Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hillsboro WI 54634, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mt. Vernon Cemetery Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, U.S. Navy (approx. ¼ mile away); Geology of the 400 Trail (approx. 5.8 miles away); The Lost District (approx. 6.2 miles away); Towns made from this? (approx. 6.2 miles away); Wonewoc History (approx. 6.3 miles away); Elroy – Sparta State Trail (approx. 7.6 miles away); St. Patrick's (approx. 9.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hillsboro.
Photographed By Keith L, May 5, 2009
2. African American Settlers of Cheyenne Valley Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,571 times since then and 264 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2020, by Badger Papa of Vernon, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
