Near Hager City in Pierce County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"Bow and Arrow"

Photographed by Keith L, July 24, 2008

1. "Bow and Arrow" Marker

Inscription. The rock outline you see on the distant bluff is an archeological curiosity. Jacob V. Brower, a Minnesota archeologist, observed this formation in 1902 and interpreted it as a bow and arrow. In 1903 he wrote, "Some of the stones representing the bowstring are displaced. The intention seems to have been to represent a bow and arrow drawn to shoot toward Lake Pepin." Modern archeologists think the boulders may form a bird effigy, but no one has reached a definite conclusion. Although it is an old, well-known landmark, perhaps even ancient, its origin and age are unknown and it is no part of the Indian lore of this region. Boulder alignments made by Indians exist in other states, but this is the only one known in Wisconsin. Was it made by Indians? Is it a bow and arrow or a bird? It remains a mystery.

Erected 1979 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 258.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 44° 35.66′ N, 92° 30.577′ W. Marker is near Hager City, Wisconsin, in Pierce

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County. It is on The Great River Road (State Highway 35) 1.1 miles south of U.S. 63, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at a pull off. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hager City WI 54014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

and in Western Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

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 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The G.A. Carlson Lime Kiln (approx. 1.9 miles away in Minnesota); Barn Bluff (approx. 1.9 miles away in Minnesota); Kiwanis Stairway (approx. 1.9 miles away in Minnesota); Mt. La Grange – Barn Bluff (approx. 1.9 miles away in Minnesota); a different marker also named Kiwanis Stairway (approx. 2 miles away in Minnesota); William Colvill (approx. 2 miles away in Minnesota); Remember the Maine (approx. 2 miles away in Minnesota); Geology of Minnesota (approx. 2.3 miles away in Minnesota).

Photographed by Keith L, July 24, 2008

2. "Bow and Arrow" Marker

"Bow and Arrow" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, July 24, 2008

3. "Bow and Arrow" and Marker

"Bow and Arrow" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Cotter, June 2009

4. "Bow and Arrow"

Photographed by Keith L, July 24, 2008

5. "Bow and Arrow"

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 9,654 times since then and 229 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on July 10, 2009, by Steve Cotter of St. Augustine, Florida. 5. submitted on August 5, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.