Delafield in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lapham Peak

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

1. Lapham Peak Marker

Inscription. In 1870, on top of Lapham Peak, then known as Government Hill, the United State Army signal Corps established one of its original National Weather Service signal stations. Weather data was received here from Pikes Peak, Colorado, and relayed to the United State Weather Bureau headquarters in Chicago. Lapham Peak, the highest point in Waukesha County, is named for Increase Allen Lapham (1811-1875), Wisconsin’s premier 19th century naturalist, archeologist and scholar. From this peak, Lapham recorded many weather observations for his pioneering work in meteorology, which included publishing isothermal maps of Wisconsin and working with the Smithsonian Institution as a weather observer for the Great Lakes region. Concerned with the potential storm disasters to Great Lakes shipping and Wisconsin farming, Lapham proposed a state weather forecasting service in 1850. Although not adopted by the state, Lapham rewrote the proposal for a national weather service, which was approved by Congress on February 9, 1870. On November 8th, working as the assistant to the Chief Signal Corps Officer, Lapham recorded the first published national

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weather forecast, calling for “high winds and falling temperatures for Chicago, Detroit and the Eastern cities.”

Erected 1995 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 328.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1839.

Location. 43° 1.972′ N, 88° 23.567′ W. Marker is in Delafield, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It can be reached from County Route C one mile south of Interstate 94, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Lapham Peak Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, on County Hwy C between I-94 and U.S. Hwy 18. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delafield WI 53018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

Lapham Peak Marker at base of lookout tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

2. Lapham Peak Marker at base of lookout tower

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Lapham Peak (within shouting distance of this marker); Hawks Inn (approx. 2 miles away); Delafield Fish Hatchery (approx. 2.1 miles away); St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Cushing Memorial Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. John's Military Academy (approx. 2.3 miles away); Northwestern Military and Naval Academy (approx. 2.3 miles away); Waterville (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delafield.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

View from atop lookout tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

3. View from atop lookout tower

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

4. View from atop lookout tower

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,348 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.