Viroqua in Vernon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Viroqua's First Settler
Viroqua Wisconsin
Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011
1. Viroqua's First Settler Marker
In 1846, Moses Decker came to the Wisconsin Territory seeking land. He purchased 160 acres and built a log cabin at, what is now, 207 North Main Street. In 1850, he plotted the village which became Viroqua and built a second log cabin that served as the town's public meeting place.
Erected 1998 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 424.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 43° 33.441′ N, 90° 53.378′ W. Marker was in Viroqua, Wisconsin, in Vernon County. It could be reached from North Main Street (U.S. 14/61) north of West Decker Street (State Highway 56). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 202 North Main Street, Viroqua WI 54665, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was 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 was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Lucy Stone (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jeremiah McLain Rusk (approx. 0.6 miles away); Governor Rusk (approx. 1.1 miles away); John McCulloch (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. The images showing the brick Village Hall are outdated as of 1/20/2025. The building was razed during the summer of 2024. The vacant lot to the north is still vacant that, according to this entry, once was the location of the marker #424.
Additional commentary.
1. Marker Missing
I did not find this marker at the location listed. Viroqua is undergoing updates downtown and the building at 202 N Main no longer exists and the marker has been removed. According to staff in City Hall that lot will be made a parking lot. The plans call for a flower bed with this marker being placed in the flower bed. It was supposed to have been completed already, but the roadwork upgrades downtown have delayed this action.
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[right side of photo] Submitted September 26, 2024, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin.
Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011
2. Viroqua's First Settler Marker
Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011
3. Viroqua's First Settler Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,674 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on January 20, 2025, by Stephen P Clark of Viroqua, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
