Wisconsin Dells in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bailey's Landing
(A Landmark Store)
Photographed by Keith L, May 14, 2008
1. Bailey's Landing Marker
This building was constructed on the home site of General Joseph Bailey Civil War hero and a founder of Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells) in 1856. Bailey became a national Civil War hero in 1864 when Porter's Red River Fleet was stranded in low water. Using raftsmen's techniques learned in this area, Bailey freed the fleet, saving the Union two million dollars and shortening the war by two years.
This property was leased from Jack and Ben Olson by Arnold Borcher Co. in 1978, remodeled in a nautical motif and named Bailey's Landing in his honor. AD 1979
Erected 1979.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 43° 37.65′ N, 89° 46.536′ W. Marker was in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. It was on Broadway Street (State Highway 16/23) west of River Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 131 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells WI 53965, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Greater Madison. It was also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: Hero of the Red River (within shouting distance of this marker); H. H. Bennett Studio
this page online
Also see . . . Joseph Bailey. "Bailey suggested building a winged dam, similar to the kind he had built as a Wisconsin lumberman. The dam, Bailey argued, would lift the level of the river. When it was high enough to lift Porter's fleet over the falls, Bailey would dynamite the dam, and the fleet would be saved.... A grateful United States Congress voted Bailey the "Thanks of Congress" for his efforts, making him only one of fifteen men to receive such an honor." (Submitted on May 27, 2008.)
Photographed by Keith L, May 14, 2008
2. Bailey's Landing Marker
Photographed by Keith L, May 26, 2008
3. Bailey's Landing
Photographed by Jim Schaettle, October 29, 2022
4. Bailey's Landing Marker Missing
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,769 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
