Vilas in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bear

Wah-Zhe-Dah

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010

1. Bear Marker

Inscription. Common type of ancient Indian mound - length 82 feet

Erected 1910 by Wisconsin Archeological Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Native Americans.

Location. 43° 3.8′ N, 89° 24.663′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Vilas. Marker can be reached from Vilas Avenue near Campbell Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Larson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Mounds (approx. 0.3 miles away); Edward Klief Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vilas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bowen House (approx. 0.3 miles away); University of Wisconsin Field House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pat Richter (approx. 0.4 miles away); Barry Alvarez (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Bear. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, which designated the Vilas Circle and Curtis Indian Mounds, ca. 700 - 1200 A.D., as a landmark on May 19, 1975, "On the western edge of Vilas Circle Park is an Indian effigy mound in the shape of a bear. It is 82 feet

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long and is almost intact except for part of the rear leg which was lost to road development. There is also one linear mound of an original group of two remaining on private residential property south of Vilas Circle. The bear, in the religious beliefs of the mound builders, probably symbolized life on the earth's surface, including people; birds probably symbolized sky spirits; and mounds described in the past as "lizards" may have represented water spirits. It is not clear exactly what the linear mounds represented.

"Wisconsin has the highest concentration of effigy mounds in the United States and the Madison area has one of the highest concentration of effigy mounds remaining. Most mounds were lost to 19th century agricultural practices and city development. The mound builders were farmers who also engaged in hunting and gathering. They lived in small villages and migrated from one to another based on the seasonal availability of natural resources. The mounds often, but not always, have burials associated with them, but their exact purpose is not entirely understood. Mounds tend to have been built in places with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The mounds are considered sacred by modern Native Americans and should be treated with respect."

According to a 1996 survey by Robert A. Birmingham and Katherine H. Rankin entitled Native American Mounds
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010

2. Bear Mound
View of the mound looking toward the traffic circle and one of the surrounding houses.
in Madison and Dane County, "When Vilas Avenue was platted in the 1890s, the developers created a small oval park in the 1400 and 1500 blocks to preserve a large Late Woodland bear effigy. The mound sits at the west side of the park. Part of the rear leg was destroyed during street reconstruction. The bear was once part of a large group that consisted of the bear, seven linears and a conical mound. Portions of two of the linear mounds remain nearby on private property (inaccessible)."

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010

3. Bear Marker

Looking from the traffic circle into the park and toward the mound.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 24, 2010

4. Bear Marker

Same view as photo no. 3 looking toward the mound, but after it was mowed.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 24, 2010

5. Bear Marker

View from marker looking toward head of bear mound.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 24, 2010

6. Bear Marker

View from marker looking toward back of bear mound.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 24, 2010

7. Bear Marker

View from "head" of bear mound with marker on left.

Bear Mound Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010

8. Bear Mound Park

This is apparently the same as Vilas Circle Park.

Map of Bear Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County, 1996

9. Map of Bear Marker Area

Black shading indicates existing mounds and grey shading indicates lost mounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,123 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on July 22, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 24, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 8. submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 9. submitted on July 24, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.