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

Frederick Jackson Turner

1861 – 1932

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

1. Frederick Jackson Turner Marker

Inscription. Considered the most important historian of the United States in the twentieth century, Frederick Jackson Turner brought a new understanding to the meaning of the American experience. He was born in Portage; his father was Andrew Jackson Turner, a longtime local newspaper editor and activist. Young Turner left Portage to study at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (B.A. 1884, M.A. 1888) and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (Ph. D 1890). He taught at the University of Wisconsin (1889-1910) and at Harvard University (1910-24) and, after a Madison stay, became senior research associate at the Huntington Library in California (1927-32). Turner's essay on "The Significance of the Frontier in American History," delivered in Chicago in 1893, reoriented the study of American history toward the nation's westward migration and its consequences. For over a half century Turner's frontier thesis, along with his own and his students' emphasis on the history of sections of the U.S., new research resources, and environmentalism, defined the American character and dominated research and teaching on the American experience.

Erected 1993

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by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 317.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 43° 32.375′ N, 89° 27.695′ W. Marker is in Portage, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. It is at the intersection of Wisconsin Street (State Highway 16) and Cook Street (State Highway 33) on Wisconsin Street. Marker is at Commerce Plaza Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portage WI 53901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Zona Gale (here, next to this marker); Society Hill Historic District

Frederick Jackson Turner Marker <i>(left side)</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

2. Frederick Jackson Turner Marker (left side)

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Trinity United Church of Christ (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pierre Pauquette Ferry (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ketchum’s Point (approx. ¾ mile away); Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet (approx. ¾ mile away); Marquette (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Winnebago (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.

Also see . . . Frederick Jackson Turner. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 17, 2009.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,666 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2023, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.