Menomonee Falls in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sub-Continental Divide

Photographed by Linda Hansen, October 20, 2021

1. Sub-Continental Divide Marker

Inscription. Part of the sub-continental divide runs through the eastern edge of Waukesha County, separating the Great Lakes watershed from the Mississippi River watershed. The divide is a ridge of land, created by thawing and receding glaciers 10,000 years ago. Water that falls west of the ridge flows into the Fox River and other small waterways joining into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Water that falls east of the ridge flows towards Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes watershed, flowing eventually through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The map here shows where the sub-continental divide lies north-south through eastern Waukesha County.

Erected 1959 by Waukesha County Historical Society. (Marker Number 15-01.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 43° 10.499′ N, 88° 8.185′ W. Marker is in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 74) and Westchester Drive, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Menomonee Falls WI 53051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frederick Nehs Mill and Mill Dam (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mill Pond Park

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(approx. 1.1 miles away); Menomonee River and Lower Falls (approx. 1.2 miles away); Third Street Bridge (approx. 1.2 miles away); Brogan Cabin (approx. 1.9 miles away); Koch House (approx. 1.9 miles away); Steichen House (approx. 1.9 miles away); Sunnyside School Bell Tower Replica (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Menomonee Falls.

Original Sub-Continental Divide Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, June 22, 2010

2. Original Sub-Continental Divide Marker

The original 1959 marker had the following text: The eastern portion of Waukesha County has a major sub-continental divide as shown by the line in the map. Water falling west of this crest of land goes into the Fox River watershed and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. Water falling on the east side goes into the Menomonee River watershed and enters the St. Lawrence Seaway by flowing through the Great Lakes.

Photographed by Paul F, June 22, 2010

3. Original Sub-Continental Divide Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 5,754 times since then and 177 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2021, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 25, 2021, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.