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

Radisson-Groseilliers Fort

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 2, 2009

1. Radisson-Groseilliers Fort Marker

Inscription. A crude structure of boughs of trees “layed acrosse, one upon an other” was erected near here by Pierre Radisson and Medart Groseilliers in 1659. The two French traders came to Chequamegon Bay from Montreal and Radisson's account of their journey reports “at the end of this bay we landed.”

This very profitable trip resulted in confiscation of their licenses and furs because they refused to share the proceeds with the French Governor of Canada. In anger Radisson and Groseilliers went to England and persuaded Prince Rupert to sponsor an expedition to Hudson Bay.

The return of Groseilliers with a great cargo of beaver skins was soon followed by the issue of a royal charter to the Hudson's Bay Company. Thus the dream of two adventurers for exploitation of northern North America was to contribute much to the long conflict between England and France for control of this continent.

Erected 1951 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in

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the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1659.

Location. 46° 34.973′ N, 90° 55.148′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Wisconsin, in Ashland County. It is at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive West (U.S. 2) and Turner Road, on the right when traveling west on Lake Shore Drive West. Marker is located in Maslowski Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland WI 54806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Voices in the Mist (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lands Along the Lake (approx. 0.9 miles away); Security Savings Bank

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 2, 2009

2. Radisson-Groseilliers Fort Marker

(approx. 1.7 miles away); Soo Line Decapod - 950 (approx. 1.7 miles away); Northland College (approx. 2.2 miles away); Doctor Edwin Ellis (approx. 2.3 miles away); Schooner Lucerne (approx. 2.9 miles away); Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

Radisson-Groseilliers Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 22, 2010

3. Radisson-Groseilliers Fort

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, September 22, 2010

4. Radisson-Groseilliers Fort

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,585 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 17, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.