The Bad River

Photographed by Rich Eggleston, July 11, 2006

1. The Bad River Marker

Inscription. The Mauvaise (Bad) River was so named by the French due to the difficulties of its navigation. The Indians called it Mushkeezeebi or Marsh River. In 1845 the Rev. L.H. Wheeler, Protestant missionary at La Pointe, planned an agricultural settlement near the mouth of the Bad River where the Indians had for many years made their gardens. He named the settlement “Odanah,” a Chippewa word meaning “village.” About 1850 a determined effort was begun to compel the Indians to move west of the Mississippi. Mr. Wheeler visited the lands to which it was proposed the Lake Superior Chippewa should go. He returned with the conviction it would be a deed of mercy for the government to shoot the Indians rather than send them to the new region. "They (the Chippewa) are fully determined not to go. They have lived two years without their payments, and find they do not starve or freeze." Mr. Wheeler's pleadings were not in vain. The government resumed the payments and his ideas of justice toward the Chippewa were substantially embodied in a treaty made with them in 1854 providing for them three reservations, at Odanah, at Lac Court Oreilles

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and at Lac du Flambeau.

Erected 1957 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 70.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 46° 36.712′ N, 90° 41.696′ W. Marker was near Odanah, Wisconsin, in Ashland County. It was at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Old Odanah Road, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 2. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Odanah WI 54861, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was on Wisconsin’s North Shore. It was also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory

View to West from US 2 image. Click for full size.

2. View to West from US 2

The marker was removed prior to 2009
The support posts for the marker are still visible at this roadside pullout

of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy (approx. 8 miles away); Schooner Lucerne (approx. 8.1 miles away); Doctor Edwin Ellis (approx. 8.6 miles away); Northland College (approx. 8.7 miles away); Soo Line Decapod - 950 (approx. 9.1 miles away); Security Savings Bank (approx. 9.2 miles away); Washburn, The Monolith City (approx. 10.2 miles away); Bank of Washburn (approx. 10.2 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker was permanently removed by the Wisconsin Historical Society on the request of the Bad River Band of Ojibwe.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker Removed
The Wisconsin Historical Society, in their Official List of Wisconsin's State Historic Markers dated September 16, 2013, states "Marker Removed - Language Obsolete" for The Bad River marker. Images from Google Street View indicate that the marker was removed some time prior to September 2008; the support posts for the marker still remain as of October 2015.

— Submitted January 24, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2013, by Rich Eggleston of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,386 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 7, 2013, by Rich Eggleston of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 31, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?