La Pointe in Ashland County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Madeline Island

Known to the Ojibway Indians as Moningwunakauning, "The Home of The Golden Breasted Woodpecker"

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012

1. Madeline Island Marker

Inscription. The largest of the Apostle Islands was one of the earliest areas of Indian settlement, fur trade, missionary activity and commercial fishing in the interior of North America. It was discovered by French explorers in 1659. Trading posts were built here for the French by Le Sueur in 1693 and for the British by Michel Cadotte in 1793. In 1834 this site and present La Pointe dock became headquarters for the Northern Outfit of the American Fur Company. Missionary operations began about 1830 with the erection of a Protestant Church followed by Father Baraga's Catholic Church.

Erected 1961 by Madeline Island Historical Museum. (Marker Number 108.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1659.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 46° 46.814′ N, 90° 47.297′ W. Marker was in La Pointe, Wisconsin, in Ashland County. It was

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at the intersection of Bayfield - La Pointe Avenue and Colonel Woods Avenue (County Route H), on the left when traveling north on Bayfield - La Pointe Avenue. This marker has been replaced by Mooningwaanikaaning Wisconsin State Historical Marker (https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=234361). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 226 Colonel Woods Ave, La Pointe WI 54850, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

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

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Mooningwaanikaaning (here, next

An additional Madeline Island Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl

2. An additional Madeline Island Marker

Mooningwanekaaning-minis
Telling a fuller history

The Ojibwe are among the Indigenous peoples who have called Mooningwanekaaning home since time immemorial. Also known as Madeline Island, the human story of Mooningwanekaaning is continuous. It spans thousands of years-beginning long before the 1600s, when Europeans first arrived in the region. A historical marker erected in 1961 at this location inaccurately claimed the French discovered the island. The marker did not fully recognize the Ojibwe and their central significance to the island's history.

The Wisconsin Historical Society engages different perspectives and examines historical sources to better understand the past. The Society used community input as part of the process in removing the Madeline Island historical marker at this location. The Wisconsin Historical Society will work with members of the Ojibwe and local community to erect a new historical marker at this location in 2023. This is part of an effort by the Society to address the longstanding exclusion of historically underrepresented communities from the historical narrative.

to this marker); Early Vessels (approx. 0.4 miles away); La Pointe Indian Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of First Catholic Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Michel Cadotte (approx. 1.8 miles away); A Turning Point in Place and Time (approx. 2.3 miles away); Schooner Pretoria (approx. 2.3 miles away); Sailor’s Delight (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Pointe.

Also see . . .
1. Madeline island History. (Submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin.)
2. Madeline Island Museum. (Submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin.)

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012

3. Madeline Island Marker

Madeline Island Historical Museum sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012

4. Madeline Island Historical Museum sign

Madeline Island Museum grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 17, 2012

5. Madeline Island Museum grounds

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,540 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on October 16, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 26, 2022, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.