Near Edgerton in Rock County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wisconsin's Tobacco Land

Photographed by Keith L, September 23, 2009

1. Wisconsin's Tobacco Land Marker

Inscription. Wisconsin's first commercial tobacco was raised in Dane and Rock counties by cousins Orrin and Ralph Pomeroy in 1854. Grown as a cash crop to supplement dairy income, Wisconsin tobacco is used as a binder in making cigars. Because of the large amount of hand labor, the areas planted are small, usually two to five acres. In late April the seed is sown in the steam-sterilized soil of long white muslin-covered seedbeds, and transplanting to the field is done by machine in June. The plants are cut and speared on lath in August and are hung in the long unpainted sheds to cure for two to three months. "Case weather" (fog or rain) in late fall conditions the leaf so that it can be stripped from stalks and baled for market. About 100 miles to the northwest, in Vernon and surrounding counties, tobacco production began in the 1880s and is an important crop today.

Erected 1961 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 109.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 42° 49.129′ N, 89° 4.337′ W. Marker is near Edgerton, Wisconsin, in

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Rock County. It is on Lord Street (U.S. 51) south of West Crystal Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at a highway pull-off just north of the U.S. 51 bridge over the Rock River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edgerton WI 53534, 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sheepskin School (approx. 4.2 miles away); Albion Academy (approx. 4.2 miles away); Rock River Industry (approx. 4.8 miles away); "Nothing to be seen… but immense prairies…, (approx. 4.8 miles away); Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Highway (approx. 4.8 miles away); Milton College 1844–1982 / Milton College Historic District (approx. 7.2 miles away); Milton House (approx. 7½ miles away); Storrs Lake Milton (approx. 7½ miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Sterling North (was approx. 4.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Yahara River (was approx. 5.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The statement: "by cousins Orrin and Ralph Pomeroy in 1854" is incorrect.
The true statement is that Orrin and Ralph Pomeroy were BROTHERS.
About twelve years later the two brothers, Ralph and Orrin, and a cousin, Chester Pomeroy, journeyed across the country by wagon to Rock County, Wisconsin, taking the Connecticut seed with

Photographed by Keith L, September 23, 2009

2. Wisconsin's Tobacco Land Marker

them.

Source: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/b5c8efb1-be70-48c4-85b1-d238dc78085a