Lake Delton in Sauk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Dawn Manor

Site of the Lost City of Newport

Photographed by Keith L, July 19, 2010

1. Dawn Manor Marker

Inscription. Here on the Wisconsin River the village of Newport was begun in 1853, planned for a population of 10,000. Assuming that the Milwaukee & LaCrosse Railroad would cross the river here, over 2000 settlers quickly came to Newport, causing a lively land boom. When the bridge and dam were ultimately located a mile upstream after an alleged secret moonlight survey, Newport was almost completely deserted in favor of Kilbourn City (today Wisconsin Dells). Only Dawn Manor, with its servant quarters, remains. Dawn Manor was completed in 1855 by Capt. Abraham Vanderpoel, friend of Lincoln and signer of the Wisconsin Constitution. The home is built of Potsdam sandstone, white mahogany and white pine, put together with brass screws and wooden pegs. Dawn Manor houses the art collection of George Raab, one of Wisconsin's famous artists.

Erected 1955 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 43° 36.327′ N, 89° 46.293′ W. Marker was in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, in Sauk County. It was on County Highway

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A 0.2 miles south of Hiawatha Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is 1.2 miles from State Highway 23. It is is located next to a private driveway. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Lake Delton WI 53940, 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 in Greater Madison.

It was also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Priegel Pier (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lake Delton Catastrophe (about 500 feet away); Honoring Village Trustee Tom Diehl (about 600 feet away); Kaminski Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Newport Indian Mound (approx. 0.4 miles away); Logging and Lumbering on the Wisconsin River (approx. half a mile away); Stroud Bank (approx. 1½ miles away); Hero of the Red River (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Delton.

More about this marker. The Wisconsin Historical Society has plans to replace this marker in the near future.

Additional commentary.
1. Lake Dalton Emptied
On June 9, 2008, rain-swollen Lake Delton overflowed left of the marker after a highway embankment failed and washed across County Highway A into the Wisconsin River. Engineers are studying the lake near the Wisconsin Dells to determine how best to repair the embankment and refill it. The lake is in the heart of a vacation area that attracts

Photographed by Keith L, May 26, 2008

2. Dawn Manor Marker

3 million visitors a year.

The marker and Dawn Manor itself was not threatened by the rising water and subsequent flooding that essentially emptied the lake (more than 600 million gallons of water) into the Wisconsin River, carrying away three entire large homes and breaking two others in half.

— Submitted June 27, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

2. Marker missing
Construction of new parking lot has had the marker removed, not sure if it is temporary.

— Submitted December 30, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Photographed by Keith L, July 19, 2010

3. Dawn Manor Marker

Side View of Dawn Manor Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, May 26, 2008

4. Side View of Dawn Manor Marker

Photographed by Keith L, May 26, 2008

5. Dawn Manor Marker

The Wisconsin River is behind the photographer,
Lake Delton is beyond the marker.

Photographed by Keith L, July 19, 2010

6. Dawn Manor Marker

Restored Land image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 19, 2010

7. Restored Land

The Dawn Manor marker can be seen in the distance.

Lake Delton After Flood image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 24, 2008

8. Lake Delton After Flood

On June 9, 2008, 2 weeks after the photo of the marker was taken, rain-swollen Lake Delton overflowed left of the marker and washed across County Highway A into the Wisconsin River.

Lake Delton Breach image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 24, 2008

9. Lake Delton Breach

The lake drained into the Wisconsin River after a portion of the lakeshore was breached following heavy rains and water poured out of the lake, emptying it. Dell Creek still runs through it.

Unique Tree Stumps image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 24, 2008

10. Unique Tree Stumps

Destroyed Homes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 13, 2008

11. Destroyed Homes

Dawn Manor Marker Missing During Construction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gary Sonnenberg, June 18, 2024

12. Dawn Manor Marker Missing During Construction

This photo taken from the Lake Delton Catastrophe Marker looks out across at the location of the featured marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 10,322 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 19, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on May 29, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on July 19, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 8, 9. submitted on June 27, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 10. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 11. submitted on July 20, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 12. submitted on June 29, 2024, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.