Mineral Point in Iowa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic Mineral Point
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 20, 2010
1. Historic Mineral Point Marker
Inscription.
Historic Mineral Point. . In the 1820s, after hearing reports of abundant lead in the area, prospective miners with "lead fever" began pouring into southwestern Wisconsin. Finding ore just beneath the surface, miners set up "diggings" and soon established Mineral Point. It quickly became the regional center for land sales and government. In 1836, the Territory's first governor, Henry Dodge, was inaugurated here and served his first term out of Mineral Point. Immigrant Cornish miners brought advanced hard-rock and deep mining skills and a distinctive stone building tradition to the area. The lead industry waned in the 1860s, but zinc mining developed in the 1880s and flourished into the early 20th century. After new technology slowed the demand for lead and zinc, Mineral Point's industrial focus changed to agriculture. The 1930s marked the birth of Mineral Point's preservation movement, but it did not develop on a large scale until the 1960s when artists, crafts people and preservationists began to restore many of the old mining town's limestone buildings. In 1971 Mineral Point was listed as Wisconsin's first historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.
In the 1820s, after hearing reports of abundant lead in the area, prospective miners with "lead fever" began pouring into southwestern Wisconsin. Finding ore just beneath the surface, miners set up "diggings" and soon established Mineral Point. It quickly became the regional center for land sales and government. In 1836, the Territory's first governor, Henry Dodge, was inaugurated here and served his first term out of Mineral Point. Immigrant Cornish miners brought advanced hard-rock and deep mining skills and a distinctive stone building tradition to the area. The lead industry waned in the 1860s, but zinc mining developed in the 1880s and flourished into the early 20th century. After new technology slowed the demand for lead and zinc, Mineral Point's industrial focus changed to agriculture. The 1930s marked the birth of Mineral Point's preservation movement, but it did not develop on a large scale until the 1960s when artists, crafts people and preservationists began to restore many of the old mining town's limestone buildings. In 1971 Mineral Point was listed as Wisconsin's first historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 1996 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 343.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
Location. 42° 51.794′ N, 90° 11.191′ W. Marker is in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, in Iowa County. Marker is at the intersection of Ridge Street (State Highway 39) and Madison Street, on the left when traveling south on Ridge Street. The marker is on the east side of Water Tower Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mineral Point WI 53565, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,247 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on May 8, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
