Mill Bluff State Park near Camp Douglas in Monroe County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Big Lake
Photographed by McGhiever, July 3, 2024
1. The Big Lake Marker
About 15,000 years ago, waves lapped against the upper reaches of the rocky bluff in front of you. Mill Bluff was an island in Glacial Lake Wisconsin. You are standing on the bottom of this former glacial lake.
This lake formed when glacial ice plugged an ancient river at Wisconsin Dells and prevented meltwaters from draining south. The lake deposited deep layers of sand that we now call the Central Sands of Wisconsin.
At its largest extent, Glacial Lake Wisconsin was 72 miles long and up to 150 feet deep.
Erected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 43° 56.5′ N, 90° 18.933′ W. Marker is near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, in Monroe County. It is in Mill Bluff State Park. It can be reached from Funnel Road. The marker is on the trail around the base of Mill Bluff, at about the 2:00 position. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15819 Funnel Road, Camp Douglas WI 54618, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 walking distance of this marker: Long Bluff (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glacial Lake Wisconsin (about 500 feet away); Volk Field Air Strip
this page online
Photographed by McGhiever, July 3, 2024
2. The Big Lake Marker on the trail around Mill Bluff
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
