Cambridge in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lake Ripley

Photographed by Gary Sonnenberg, April 22, 2024

1. Lake Ripley Marker

Inscription. As a boy Ole Evinrude (1877-1934) lived near Cambridge. His father hoped to keep him on the farm and when Ole built a sailboat like he had seen in a picture book his father destroyed it. In a secret place in the woods the boy built another. Here on Lake Ripley, as his father watched from shore Ole sailed the well-built craft with all the instinctive skill of his Viking ancestors. Soon after, he left for the city to work as a mechanic. In 1908 he invented an outboard motor and founded a new American industry.

Erected by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 43° 0.181′ N, 89° 0.13′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Park Road 0.1 miles north of U.S. 12, on the right when traveling north. The marker is at the end of the parking lot in Lake Ripley Park. There is a charge for admission to the park, but

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the attendant waived it for simply viewing the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cambridge WI 53523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rockdale Mill (approx. 2.6 miles away); Koshkonong (approx. 4.2 miles away); Liberty School (approx. 5.9 miles away); Goose Lake (approx. 6 miles away); West Koshkonong Lutheran Congregation (approx. 7.8 miles away); Occupation and Abandonment (approx. 8.2 miles away); Social Organization (approx. 8.3 miles away); Platform Mounds (approx. 8.3 miles away).

Photographed by William J. Toman, September 4, 2010

2. Lake Ripley Marker

Photographed by William J. Toman, September 4, 2010

3. Lake Ripley Marker

The park shelter and Lake Ripley are in the background.

Photographed by William J. Toman, September 4, 2010

4. Lake Ripley

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,763 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 24, 2024, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.