Indian Lake Passage

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 12, 2010

1. Indian Lake Passage Marker

Inscription. On July 21, 1832, during the Black Hawk War, Sac Indian leader Black Hawk and his band left Pheasant Branch, west of Madison, retreating ahead of the military forces commanded by Colonels Ewing and Dodge. The band fled north following a route past the west end of Indian Lake and turned westward down the broad valley now bisected by Highway 12. The military, despite rain and exhausted horses, managed to catch up to Black Hawk's warriors late that afternoon at the Heights overlooking the Wisconsin River.

Erected 1997 by Dane County Historical Society. (Marker Number 399.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Military • Notable Places • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1832.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 43° 11.363′ N, 89° 38.105′ W. Marker was near Marxville, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It was on State Highway 19 half a mile east of County Route K, on the right when traveling

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east. At the boat launch in Indian Lake Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Cross Plains WI 53528, 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 in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Madison.

It was also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

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 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Indian Lake (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Mary of the Oaks (approx. ¾ mile away); The Matz Farmstead (approx. 0.8 miles away); Kerl School (approx. 3.7 miles away); Father Adalbert Inama -- St. Norbert House (approx. 4.7 miles away); In Memory of Rev. Adalbert Inama, O. Praem. (approx. 4.8 miles away); The Plain Good Building of Cross Plains (approx. 5.3 miles away); Old Halfway Prairie (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marxville.

More about this marker. This is apparently also marker no. 399 of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 12, 2010

2. Indian Lake Passage Marker

The west end of Indian Lake is in the background.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 12, 2010

3. Indian Lake Passage Marker

This sign is at the entrance to the boat launch at the park where the marker is located.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,248 times since then and 94 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.