Shullsburg in Lafayette County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Badger Mine – Badger Lot Diggings

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012

1. Badger Mine – Badger Lot Diggings Marker

Inscription. This site is in the heart of the pioneer lead mining region, origin of Wisconsin’s “Badger” nickname. The Winnebago Indian Peace Treaty signed, pioneer miners flooded this area in the 1827 “Lead Rush”. These hardy pioneers lived in caves dug into the sides of hills and thus came to be called “badgers”, adopted in 1848 as our state nickname.

Erected by Wisconsin Council for Local History. (Marker Number 37.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 34.216′ N, 90° 14.151′ W. Marker was in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, in Lafayette County. It was on West Estey Street 0.1 miles east of South Galena Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located at the Badger Mine and Museum in Badger Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 279 West Estey Street, Shullsburg WI 53586, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

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: Historical Badger Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Historical Badger Park (about 600 feet away); United Methodist Church

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Matthew Catholic Parish (approx. 0.3 miles away); The School District of Shullsburg (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wisconsin Lead Region (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Old Chicago Stageroad (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Augustine Church (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shullsburg.

More about this marker. The marker is Wisconsin Registered Landmark No. 37.

Additional keywords. Mining

Badger Mine and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012

2. Badger Mine and Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.