Near Galesville in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Decorah Peak

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

1. Decorah Peak Marker

Inscription. The rock-crested hill to the east was named after One-Eyed Decorah, a Winnebago chief who, according to tradition, took refuge in a cave near the peak after being wounded in a Chippewa attack on his village. He remained in hiding throughout the bloody engagement and then at nightfall made his way down the Black River to another Winnebago settlement. The next day he returned, surprised the celebrating Chippewa and routed them. With other Wisconsin chiefs Decorah signed a treaty with the United States at Prairie du Chien on August 19, 1825, establishing tribal boundaries in the hope of securing "a firm and perpetual peace." He achieved his greatest renown after the Black Hawk War when he accompanied the defeated Black Hawk and the Prophet to Prairie du Chien, where on August 27, 1832, the two Sauk leaders surrendered.

Erected 1958 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 44° 4.255′ N, 91° 19.306′ W. Marker is near Galesville, Wisconsin

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, in Trempealeau County. It can be reached from the intersection of State Highway 54 and McKeeth Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at a highway pull-off 1.5 miles east of South Main Street (U.S. Highway 53). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galesville WI 54630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Downtown Galesville Historic District (approx. 1.6 miles away); Galesville (approx. 1.6 miles away); Galesville Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ridge Avenue Historic District (approx. 2 miles away); John F. Cance / Galesville Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Gale College Historic District (approx. 2.3 miles away); The McGilvray "Seven Bridges Road" (approx. 3½ miles away); The Mississippi River Parkway: (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galesville.

Also see . . . Story of Decorah Peak reveals rich history. WHA website entry (Submitted on November 23, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

2. Decorah Peak Marker

Decorah Peak image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

3. Decorah Peak

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,884 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.