Wisconsin Dells in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Ho-Chunk People

People of the Big Voice

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2020

1. The Ho-Chunk People Marker

Inscription. For thousands of years, indigenous people have lived on this land. Wisconsin Dells is home to the Ho-Chunk, whose native land extends from Michigan to Illinois. For centuries, the Ho-Chunk people have gathered in the Dells to revitalize themselves spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their stories tel of the forming of the Dells by a serpent cutting through the land to create the river, its channels, fish, and wildlife. During the 19th century, the U.S. Government attempted numerous forced removals of all indigenous peoples to locations west. After each removal, the Ho-Chunk people would return to their homeland on foot. Chief Yellow Thunder and his family purchased a 40-acre homestead near Wisconsin Dells, and thus pressured the Ho-Chunk connection to their ancestral lands of today.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 43° 37.75′ N, 89° 46.594′ W. Marker is in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. It can be reached from Broadway near Eddy Street. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 105 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells WI 53965, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George H. Crandall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kilbourn Dam (within shouting distance of this marker); Kilbourn City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wisconsin River (within shouting distance of this marker); River Excursions (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Railroads (about 300 feet away); Henry Hamilton Bennett (about 400 feet away); Alexander Mitchell Steamboat Anchor (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wisconsin Dells.

More about this marker. This marker is located on the "Riverwalk."

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 6, 2020

2. The Ho-Chunk People Marker

The "Riverwalk" is a public path along a portion of the Wisconsin River. Eleven makers are found along this path. Road access to the path is only available at the beginning and end of the "Riverwalk."

Also see . . . Yellow Thunder - Wikipedia. Yellow Thunder did return, walked back from Iowa and arrived in his home territory long before the troops. The journey back, undertaken with his wife and a few of his band, was a matter of 500 miles. Sympathetic neighbors (he was a devout [10] Catholic) advised him to apply for a 40-acre homestead and his claim was honored at Mineral Point. He settled o the west bank of the Wisconsin about 5 miles below the Dells. (Submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Chief Yellow Thunder image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. Chief Yellow Thunder

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.