Near Rock Springs in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Van Hise Rock

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

1. Van Hise Rock Marker

Inscription. This outcrop of Baraboo Quartzite, located in the Baraboo Hills and known as Van Hise Rock, has been the focus of national and international scientific interest for over one hundred years. The rock is named in honor of University of Wisconsin Professor Charles R. Van Hise (1857-1918), renowned geologist, conservationist and President of the University of Wisconsin. In the 1890s, Van Hise used this outcrop to demonstrate the kinds of changes that occur in rocks during periods of mountain formation. Van Hise's observations of the Baraboo Hills would help to develop his groundbreaking concepts of structural and metamorphic geology. Later, these concepts would be universally accepted as the principles of structural geology. Van Hise Rock has become the single most important locality to demonstrate these principles. Countless geologists and students visit Van Hise Rock and the Baraboo Hills as a geologist mecca and continue to learn from this exceptionally diverse geologic laboratory.

Erected 1999 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 413.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Education • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists.

Location. 43° 29.323′ N, 89° 54.944′ W. Marker is near Rock Springs, Wisconsin, in Sauk County. It is on North River Street (State Highway 136) 0.8 miles north of Broadway (State Highway 154), on the right when traveling north. Marker is at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rock Springs WI 53961, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Van Hise Rock (within shouting

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

2. Van Hise Rock Marker

distance of this marker); Mid–Continent Railway Historical Society (approx. 2.9 miles away); Vodak Memorial Park (approx. 3.1 miles away); Clare A. Briggs – Cartoonist (approx. 3.1 miles away); Attempted Native American Deportation and Relocation (approx. 5.4 miles away); Babb's Ford (approx. 5.7 miles away); Reedsburg WWII Prisoner of War Camp (approx. 5.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Van Hise Rock. (Submitted on June 13, 2009.)

Van Hise Rock and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

3. Van Hise Rock and Marker

Van Hise Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

4. Van Hise Rock

Charles R. Van Hise image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

5. Charles R. Van Hise

National Historic Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 7, 2009

6. National Historic Landmark Plaque

National Register of Historic Places #97001267

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,512 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on June 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on September 23, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.