Superior in Douglas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Northwest Portal of Wisconsin

Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011

1. Northwest Portal of Wisconsin Marker

Inscription. Over millions of years, the forces of nature have given Northwest Wisconsin some of the finest scenery in the world. The most striking feature is Lake Superior, largest freshwater lake in the world and the "Gitche Gumee" of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Hiawatha."

There are hundreds of species of animal and plant life: bear, beaver, deer, wolf, eagle, bluejay, grosbeak, shorebirds, waterfowl, grouse, chickadee. Plants include spruce, white birch, tag alder, popple, trillium, violet, daisy.

For thousands of years before the white man came, the Indians ranged over the land in search of food and furs. In the 1600's, the first coureur de bois was followed by hundreds of others. Men like Father Allouez, Duluth, Radisson, Groseilliers, Carver, Cadotte, Schoolcraft, came for exploration, missionary work and fur-trade.

They were followed by the lumberjacks and the lumber companies, copper prospectors and miners.

Welcome to beautiful and historic Northwest Wisconsin. As you travel, historical markers will offer brief chapters in Wisconsin history. Erected 1975

Erected 1975 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 210.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals

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• Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location. 46° 39.925′ N, 91° 59.901′ W. Marker is in Superior, Wisconsin, in Douglas County. It can be reached from East 2nd Street (U.S. 2 / 53) 0.4 miles east of 57th Avenue East (County Highway E), on the right when traveling east. Marker is at eastbound Rest Area 23. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Superior WI 54880, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Duluth — The Twin Ports

and on the North Shore. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lake Superior (approx. 1.9 miles away); Burial Ground of the Fond du Lac Band (approx. 2.6 miles away); Superior Entry South Breakwater Light (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Superior Entry (approx. 2.9 miles away); Old Stockade Site (approx. 4.1 miles away); Duluth-Superior Harbor (approx. 4.1 miles away); Davidson Windmill (approx. 4.6 miles away); S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Superior.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Burlington Northern Ore Docks

Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011

2. Northwest Portal of Wisconsin Marker

(was approx. 2½ miles away but has been permanently removed).

Marker and Rest Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011

3. Marker and Rest Area

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,292 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.