Blue Mounds in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Blue Mounds Fort

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 20, 2010

1. Blue Mounds Fort Marker

Inscription. The onset of the Black Hawk War in northwestern Illinois in April, 1832 triggered panic in southwestern Wisconsin's lead mining region, prompting erection of over a dozen stockades. On an open prairie knoll 3/4 mile south of this marker, area miners and settlers who became part of Col. Henry Dodge's militia built Blue Mounds Fort. Here the Hall sisters, survivors of the Indian Creek massacre, were released for ransom through Winnebago intercession. W.G. Aubrey, George Force and Emerson Green died in ambush attacks near the stockade. After the Battle of Wisconsin Heights, troops regrouped here. Despite repeated surrender attempts, Black Hawk's band of Sac and Fox Indians was virtually annihilated at the junction of the Bad Axe and Mississippi Rivers August 2. Thus ended one Native American group's efforts to escape the tragic consequences of white settlement.

The heirs of Col. Ebenezer Brigham donated a portion of the Fort site to the State Historical Society in 1921.

Erected 1992 by Dane County Historical Society. (Marker Number 29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities

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• Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, and the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1832.

Location. 43° 0.909′ N, 89° 49.6′ W. Marker is in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is at the intersection of County Route ID and Division Street (County Route F), on the left when traveling east on County Route ID. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blue Mounds WI 53517, 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

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Blue Mounds Fort (approx. 0.7 miles away); Brigham Park (approx. one mile away); a different marker also

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 20, 2010

2. Blue Mounds Fort Marker

The marker is on the eastern edge of Blue Mounds.

named Brigham Park (approx. one mile away); Army Cargo Plane Crash (approx. 1½ miles away); German Valley (approx. 3 miles away); Elvers Corner (approx. 4.1 miles away); Old Town (approx. 4.9 miles away); Hauge Log Church - 1852 (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Mounds.

Area South of Blue Mounds Fort Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 20, 2010

3. Area South of Blue Mounds Fort Marker

Looking in the direction referenced in the marker as the site of Blue Mounds Fort.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,871 times since then and 96 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.