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

Earliest Settlers

Zarahemla

Photographed by William J. Toman, July 9, 2010

1. Earliest Settlers Marker

Inscription. In 1850 Zenas Gurley and his family settled in this area. His charisma and leadership led several of this area's early settlers to convert to the Mormon faith. While worshiping on a site similar to this one, the scenic view led them to believe they had found their "Zion" or ideal society which they called "Zarahemla" or "City of God". Zarahemla was short-lived, however, and would eventually become Blanchardville.

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 42° 48.438′ N, 89° 52.407′ W. Marker is in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, in Lafayette County. It is at the intersection of County Road F and Hill Road, on the left when traveling east on County Road F. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blanchardville WI 53516, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Zarahemla (approx. 0.6 miles away); Zenas Gurley (approx. 0.9 miles away); Green's Prairie Cemetery (approx. 6.3 miles away); Saxton House (approx. 7.2 miles away); Argyle (approx. 7.3 miles away); Partridge Hall Star Theatre

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(approx. 7.4 miles away); Hauge Log Church - 1852 (approx. 8.9 miles away); The Battle of the Pecatonica (approx. 10.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blanchardville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Pecatonica (was approx. 10.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was verified missing in 2012 but was reported back in place in 2019.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker is No Longer Missing
I visited this marker in April, 2019. It is in it's original location with the original text.

— Submitted May 11, 2019, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin.

Photographed by William J. Toman, July 9, 2010

2. Earliest Settlers Marker

A glimpse of the view of the surrounding countryside mentioned in the marker.

Photographed by William J. Toman, July 9, 2010

3. Earliest Settlers Marker

The marker is on the western edge of Blanchardville.

Earliest Settlers Marker was Missing in 2012 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, May 20, 2012

4. Earliest Settlers Marker was Missing in 2012

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,259 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on May 22, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.