Near Reserve in Sawyer County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pierre Esprit Radisson and Medard Groseilliers

Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011

1. Pierre Esprit Radisson and Medard Groseilliers Marker

Inscription. These brothers-in-law during the winter of 1659-60 camped with the Ottawa Indians two miles upstream from this point on Lac Court Oreilles (meaning "Lake of the Short Ears" in French). Early French explorers called the Ottawa Indians "Court Oreilles." Radisson's journal reports that among the gifts they brought to the Indians were "2 ivory combs and 2 wooden ones," also some "red paint and 6 looking glasses of tin." The combs and paint were "to make themselves beautiful, the looking glasses to admire themselves." Radisson and Groseilliers were the first white men to discover and explore northwestern Wisconsin. When the French Governor General of Canada confiscated their rich cargo of furs because he claimed they did not have the proper credentials to trade with the Indians, Radisson and Groseilliers left the service of the French government. They went to England and were instrumental in the formation of the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada.

Erected 1960
300th Anniversary
Discovery and Exploration of Northwestern Wisconsin

Erected 1960 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 97.)

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

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Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.

Location. 45° 50.391′ N, 91° 24.385′ W. Marker is near Reserve, Wisconsin, in Sawyer County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 27 / 70 and Reserve Road, on the left when traveling east on State Highway 27 / 70. Marker is at a highway pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stone Lake WI 54876, 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 4 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission (approx. 3.6 miles away); Court Oreilles (approx. 5.9 miles away); Namekagon - Court Oreilles Portage (approx. 7.8 miles away); Hayward and the "Big Mill" (approx. 12.3 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Empire of the Bay. Radission and Groseilliers. (Submitted on September 18, 2011.)

2. Pierre-Esprit Radisson. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 18, 2011.)

3. Médard des Groseilliers. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 18, 2011.)

Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011

2. Pierre Esprit Radisson and Medard Groseilliers Marker

Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011

3. Pierre Esprit Radisson and Medard Groseilliers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,802 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.