Near Land O' Lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wisconsin River Headwaters

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

1. Wisconsin River Headwaters Marker

Inscription. About two miles east of here, the Wisconsin River has its source in Lac Vieux Desert. Several spellings and meanings were given to the name of the stream in early days. The Algonquian "Wees-konsan" means "the gathering of the waters." The Winnebago "Wees-koos-erah" is quite different, meaning "river with flowery banks." With its partner, the Fox River, the Wisconsin provided a super-highway for Indian, explorer, adventurer, missionary, and settler, and was a "main street" for the fur-trade. The Wisconsin River travels nearly the entire length of the State and empties into the Mississippi just below Prairie du Chien, about 300 miles from here. Because there are nearly fifty power and storage dams along its route today, the Wisconsin has been called "the hardest working river in America."

Erected 1955

Erected 1955 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 46° 8.414′ N, 89° 12.361′ W.

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Marker is near Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin, in Vilas County. It is on U.S. 45 1.3 miles south of County Highway B, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at a highway pull-off just south of the Wisconsin River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Land O Lakes WI 54540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

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 3 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thirty-Second Division Memorial Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); Wendy Lansbach Boglioli (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lac Vieux Desert (approx. 2.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Wisconsin River. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 16, 2010.)

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

2. Wisconsin River Headwaters Marker

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

3. Wisconsin River Headwaters Marker

The marker is in the foreground.

U.S. 45/State 32 Wisconsin River Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

4. U.S. 45/State 32 Wisconsin River Bridge

Wisconsin River Mile #005.

Wisconsin River at the Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

5. Wisconsin River at the Bridge

Flow direction is from right to left.

Canoe Landing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

6. Canoe Landing

Located downstream from the bridge near the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,015 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 16, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.