Near Mineral Point in Iowa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fort Defiance

Photographed by Gordon Govier, October 3, 2009

1. Fort Defiance Marker

Inscription. Fort Defiance was one of the last garrisoned stockade forts constructed in territorial Wisconsin. Located in the booming lead mining region, an area of early settlement, the fort was built by local settlers in 1832 when developing tensions over Indian rights erupted in the Black Hawk War. Although Fort Defiance did not undergo attack, it did have a garrison of about forty militia men who were said to be among the best drilled in the territory. The fort stood on the hill about 300 yards east of here and was enclosed by a sharply pointed palisade of heavy timbers set face to face, creating an almost impenetrable wall except for the musket loop holes. Measuring 80 feet wide by 120 feet long and 18 feet high, Fort Defiance had two blockhouses located at opposite corners of the stockade. Within the walls were two buildings used to accommodate the garrison and the families of settlers in case of siege. There are no visible remains left of Fort Defiance.

Erected 1995 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 335.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location.

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42° 47.786′ N, 90° 7.761′ W. Marker is near Mineral Point, Wisconsin, in Iowa County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 23 and Irving Lane, on the left when traveling south on State Highway 23. Marker is six miles south of Mineral Point, eight miles north of Darlington. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mineral Point WI 53565, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Fort Jackson (approx. 5 miles away); Shake Rag (approx. 5 miles away); Wisconsin Territory (approx. 5.1 miles away); Historic Mineral Point (approx. 5½ miles away); Laurence F. Graber (approx. 5½ miles away); Dodge's Grove and Fort Union (approx. 8.3 miles away); Dodge Mining Camp Cabin (approx. 11.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineral Point.

Also see . . . The Black Hawk War. "By the 1830s the process of removing Indian tribes from lands in the eastern United States to accommodate white settlers had been embraced by President Andrew Jackson, many in Congress and the bulk of the population at large. Few were apologetic, believing that the tribes and their homes were obstacles to the spread of a superior civilization." (Submitted on October 9, 2009.)

Photographed by James Modaff, April 6, 2014

2. Fort Defiance Marker

Illustration of Fort Defiance.

Fort Defiance Marker Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, October 3, 2009

3. Fort Defiance Marker Site

View to the east and the location of Fort Defiance.

Nearby Fort Defiance Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 19, 2010

4. Nearby Fort Defiance Marker

Closeup of the stone marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 4,308 times since then and 107 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 3, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on April 6, 2014, by James Modaff of Evansville, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on October 3, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 19, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.