Near Cornucopia in Bayfield County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tragedy of The Siskiwit

Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009

1. Tragedy of The Siskiwit Marker

Inscription. Once upon a time, according to an old Indian legend, the sand beach on the east side of this bay was a favorite camping ground. One spring a few lodges of Chippewa from La Pointe encamped here. When their chief, Bi-aus-wah, returned from the hunt, he found that a large party of Foxes had murdered all but two of his people. He trailed the enemy to their village and found them preparing to torture his young son. Chief Bi-aus-wah stepped proudly and boldly forward and offered his own life if the Foxes would release his young son, whose “tender feet had never trodden the war path.” Fearing the consequences if they refused so noble an offer, the Foxes released the son and burned the father instead. The son returned to his relatives at La Pointe, and his story brought quick and decisive revenge.

Erected 1955 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 28.)

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

Location. 46° 51.604′ N, 91° 5.848′ W. Marker is near Cornucopia, Wisconsin, in Bayfield County. It is on State Highway

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13 west of Siskiwit Falls Road, on the left when traveling east. 0.5 miles east of Cornucopia at Siskiwit Bay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cornucopia WI 54827, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s North Shore. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

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 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Gym" (approx. 8.1 miles away); The Sprague Well (approx. 16.2 miles away); Washburn Lumbering Days / The Hines Lumber Company (approx. 16.3 miles away); Washburn Historic Waterfront (approx. 16.3 miles away).

Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009

2. Tragedy of The Siskiwit Marker

Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009

3. Tragedy of The Siskiwit Marker

Marker with Lake Superior Shoreline

Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009

4. Tragedy of The Siskiwit Marker

Marker with Lake Superior Shoreline

Photographed by Greta Schassler, September 26, 2025

5. Tragedy of The Siskiwit Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,729 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on April 5, 2022, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.