Near Hayward in Sawyer County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Namekagon - Court Oreilles Portage
Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011
1. Namekagon - Court Oreilles Portage Marker
Still visible here is the southeast terminus of the 2½ mile portage that linked the St. Croix and Chippewa River systems. Indians, explorers, missionaries and fur-traders all used this "carrying place" to move their birch bark canoes back and forth between the two great water routes connecting Lake Superior and the Mississippi. In 1784 Michel Cadotte established a fur-trading post at the northwest end of the portage to control the trade at this pivotal point. From such interior locations as Lac Court Oreilles the Chippewa Indians carried over here on their trips to the south and west to gather rice and berries and on their war excursions against the Sioux.
Erected 1956 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 50.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.
Location. 45° 56.072′ N, 91° 29.551′ W. Marker is near Hayward, Wisconsin, in Sawyer County. It is on State Highway 27 north of North Portage
this page online
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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hayward and the "Big Mill" (approx. 5.2 miles away); St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission (approx. 6.1 miles away); Pierre Esprit Radisson and Medard Groseilliers (approx. 7.8 miles away); Court Oreilles (approx. 13.3 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Namekagon Portage. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 19, 2011.)
2. Namekagon River Research. Native American Era. (Submitted on September 19, 2011.)
Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011
2. Namekagon - Court Oreilles Portage Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011
3. Namekagon - Court Oreilles Portage Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 17, 2011
4. Southeast Terminus of the Portage
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,200 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
