Platteville in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Platteville Started Here

Photographed by Gordon Govier, January 20, 2005

1. Platteville Started Here Marker

Inscription. (from the memoirs of John H. Rountree): "During the fall of 1827 my partner and myself purchased a mineral prospect that had been discovered, by finding small pieces of lead mineral in the litter piles of dirt scratched out by the badger to make holes in the ground. That was the first mineral discovered there abouts and that was discovered on the bluff at the east end of the old Rountree lead..."

In November of 1827 John Rountree and his partner, Major J. B. Campbell, purchased a mineral claim from Emanuel Metcalf for $3,600. The Rountree Lead, was the first mine developed in what would become the city of Platteville. It was near this spot that the "bluff" could be found that would mark the entrance of the Rountree Mine.

With the start of this mine, the further development of Platteville was begun. A lead smelting furnace, a store, and a Post Office, followed to serve the increasing numbers of settlers arriving in the area.

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

Location. 42° 43.906′ N, 90° 28.358′ W. Marker is in Platteville, Wisconsin, in Grant County. It is at the intersection of E. Pine St. and Lilly St., on the right

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on E. Pine St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Platteville WI 53818, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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 walking distance of this marker: Major John Roundtree House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civic Memorial Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Platteville's First Church Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Platteville Armory (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Congregational Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Main Street Commercial Historic District Platteville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Platteville Carnegie Library (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Platteville.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, January 20, 2005

2. Platteville Started Here Marker

Platteville Mining Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, January 20, 2005

3. Platteville Mining Museum

Museum located across the street from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,031 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 19, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.