Sauk City in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
August W. Derleth
Photographed by Keith L, July 27, 2007
1. August W. Derleth Marker
This photo was taken when the marker was at its original location at Saulk City Riverfront Park.
Born February 24, 1909, in Sauk City, August Derleth lived virtually his entire life in his native Sac Prairie. He began writing at the age of thirteen and had over 150 books to his credit at the time of his death on July 4, 1971. Versatile as he was prolific, Derleth is best known for his regional literature that includes historical novels, biographies, short stories, journals and poetry. He lived his own life in the spirit of Thoreau and believed that life in Sac Prairie is a microcosm that mirrors universal truths.
August Derleth was also a noted editor, publisher and lecturer. In 1939 he founded Arkham House Publishers and saw it achieve an international reputation under his directorship. He was the recipient of many honors and awards including a Guggenhelm Fellowship and the Governor's Award for service to the creative arts.
Erected 1976 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 226.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1878.
Location. 43° 15.985′ N, 89° 44.374′ W. Marker is in Sauk City
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, in the Corn Belt, and in the Driftless Area Bluff Country. 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Culver's (approx. 0.6 miles away); Free Congregation of Sauk County (approx. one mile away); Sauk City (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mazomanie Sand Barrens (approx. 1.4 miles away); Wisconsin Heights Battlefield (approx. 1.7 miles away); Battle of Wisconsin Heights (approx. 1.7 miles away); Wollersheim Winery (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Memory of Rev. Adalbert Inama, O. Praem. (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sauk City.
More about this marker. This historical marker was originally located at near 43°16'42.4"N 89°43'09.6"W in the Saulk Riverfront Park. I was removed when the park was renovated. The City Council gave it to the August Derleth Society, who refurbished and after receiving approval from the Council and it was installed it near 43° 16.706'N, 89° 43.16'W outside of the August Derleth Society building at 300 Water Street. It is now located at the street entrance to Place of Hawks, August Derleths
Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl
2. August W. Derleth Marker
This photo is of the marker at is third and current location.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry. Excerpt:
August William Derleth (February 24, 1909 July 4, 1971) was an American writer and anthologist. He was the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft. He made contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and the cosmic horror genre and helped found the publisher Arkham House (which did much to bring supernatural fiction into print in hardcover in the US that had only been readily available in the UK). Derleth was also a leading American regional writer of his day, as well as prolific in several other genres, including historical fiction, poetry, detective fiction, science fiction, and biography. Notably, he created the fictional detective Solar Pons, a pastiche of Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes.(Submitted on September 27, 2024.)
A 1938 Guggenheim Fellow, Derleth considered his most serious work to be the ambitious Sac Prairie Saga, a series of fiction, historical fiction, poetry, and non-fiction naturalist works designed to memorialize life in the Wisconsin he knew. Derleth can also be considered a pioneering naturalist and conservationist in his writing.
2. His entry at FantasticFiction.com. A list of books in print written by August Derleth with click-to-buy links.
August Derleth was one of(Submitted on October 14, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.)the founders of Arkham House. Born in Sauk City, Wisconsin, he continues to be Wisconsin's most prolific author more than 30 years after his death. His place in American literature will only be enhanced by the discovery of 40 new manuscripts yet to be published. Adding these to his already 150 books, Derleth's place in American literature continues to evolve and grow.6 x 4Ό silver print by Ephraim Burt Trimpey (Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons, 19393. August W. Derleth (19091971)Writer, Anthologist, and Publisher. Co-founder of Arkham House.
Photographed by Keith L, July 27, 2007
4. August W. Derleth Marker
This view of the marker at its original location before it was moved down the road to in front of the August Derleth Center.
Photographed by Devon Polzar, July 1, 2021
5. August W. Derleth Marker
This view shows the marker at its second location, outside of the August Derleth Society building.
Photographed by Max Magee, June 15, 2024
6. At the Rededication in its Third Location
On the left is David Rajchel, Director of the August Derleth Society. On the right is Damon Derleth, August Derleths grandson. David Rajchel was responsible for getting the sign refreshed and re-erected here.
Photographed by Max Magee, June 15, 2024
7. At the Rededication in its Third Location
Marker was rededicated June 15, 2024.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,588 times since then and 92 times this year. Last updated on September 24, 2024, by Max Magee of Madison, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on September 26, 2024, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on September 27, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on October 14, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on February 20, 2022, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on September 27, 2024, by Max Magee of Madison, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
