Aztalan in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Welcome to Aztalan National Historic Landmark

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

1. Welcome to Aztalan National Historic Landmark Marker

Inscription. Indian peoples occupied this area off and on for many years before a new group of Indian people arrived who built the large mounds and other prehistoric features that now characterize Aztalan, a federally-designated National Historic Landmark.

The people who inhabited the prehistoric village of Aztalan (ca. A.D. 1100 - 1250) hailed from the major Mississippian town of Cahokia, located near present-day St. Louis. Aztalan is one of Cahokia's northernmost settlements.

Why the people of Aztalan chose this location and why they later abandoned it is unclear. However, the location did provide an important transportation route (with access to Cahokia via the Crawfish, Rock, and Mississippi Rivers) as well as abundant local plant, animal, and other resources.

In addition to hunting and gathering, the people grew corn, squash, sunflower and tobacco. Trading with other resident Indian communities also likely occurred.

Photo caption: This vibrant community built ceremonial and burial mounds, houses, stockades, fish weirs, garden beds, and other features. In its heyday, several hundred Indian people called Aztalan home.

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

Location. 43° 4.132′ N, 88° 51.76′ W. Marker is in Aztalan, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from County Road Q. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: N6200 County Road Q, Jefferson WI 53549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and 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: Site Map of the Prehistoric Village of Aztalan (here, next to this marker); The Cahokia Connection (here, next to this marker); Aztalan Mound Park (a few steps from this marker); Aztalan (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Tools (about 700 feet

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

2. Welcome to Aztalan National Historic Landmark Marker

away, measured in a direct line); Other Artifacts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prehistoric Pottery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leisure Activities (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aztalan.

More about this marker. The marker is at the start of the trail through Aztalan State Park near the northern parking lot.

Aztalan State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

3. Aztalan State Park

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

4. Aztalan State Park

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2021, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 7, 2021, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.