Near Lac du Flambeau in Vilas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lac du Flambeau

Photographed by Devon Polzar, August 1, 2024

1. Lac du Flambeau Marker

Inscription. Lac du Flambeau (Lake of Torches) has been a permanent settlement of the Chippewa Indian Nation since about 1745, when Chief Sharpened Stone led his band to this lake. Nearby lakes furnished a fine setting for Indian life, with wild rice in season and plentiful fish which were taken at night by the light of flaming torches, hence the name "Flambeau." The tribe was loyal to the American colonies, never taking sides with the British or French, and fought with the Union forces in the Civil War. Old Abe, American Eagle mascot of the Eighth Wisconsin in the Civil War, was captured a few miles below this point by a Flambeau Indian. In 1792 the Northwest Fur Trading Co. established the Lac du Flambeau department for the Wisconsin River area trade. Forts and posts remained on this shore for about fifty years.

Erected 1957 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 58.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.

Location. 45° 58.644′ N, 89° 54.827′ W.

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Marker is near Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, in Vilas County. It is on State Highway 47 south of Cemetery Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lac du Flambeau WI 54538, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

on the Great Lakes,

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 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Government Boarding School Boys Dormitory (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pinery Road - The Legend (approx. 8.7 miles away); 1934 Spider Lake Raid on the John Dillinger Gang (approx. 10.3 miles away); The Rest Lake Dam Story (approx. 11.2 miles away); River Rats & Peavey Men (approx. 11.2 miles away); Flambeau Trail – Manitowish (approx. 11.7 miles away); Flambeau Trail – The Mercer Depot (approx. 14.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lac du Flambeau.

Also see . . .
1. Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. Chamber of Commerce website. (Submitted on September 21, 2010.)

2. Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 21, 2010.)

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

2. Lac du Flambeau Marker

Photographed by Keith L, September 13, 2010

3. Lac du Flambeau Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,476 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2024, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.