Historical Markers and War Memorials in Grant County, Wisconsin
Lancaster is the county seat for Grant County
Adjacent to Grant County, Wisconsin
Crawford County(24) ► Iowa County(21) ► Lafayette County(27) ► Richland County(15) ► Jo Daviess County, Illinois(9) ► Clayton County, Iowa(11) ► Dubuque County, Iowa(23) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On State Park Lane, on the right when traveling north.
During the depression era of the 1930’s the federal government initiated a number of work projects. Two of these, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Project Administration (WPA) were located at this site from 1933 until 1941. . . . — — Map (db m69568) HM
On State Park Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin. Noted ecologist and outstanding authority on the vegetation of Wisconsin. A founder of the Wisconsin State Board for the Preservation of Scientific Areas, and its first chairman, 1952-1955. — — Map (db m69569) HM
Near Long Valley Road, 0.5 miles west of State Park Lane.
Dedicated to the last Wisconsin Passenger Pigeon shot at Babcock, Sept. 1899. This species became extinct through the avarice and the thoughtlessness of man. — — Map (db m28617) HM
Near Elm Street (U.S. 61) 0.3 miles south of State Highway 60, on the left when traveling north.
Towns like Boscobel developed along the Lower Wisconsin River as a result of the confluence of transportation networks.
[map of stagecoach routes between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River]
In the 1830s and 1840s, . . . — — Map (db m47936) HM
Near Elm Street (U.S. 61) 0.3 miles south of State Highway 60, on the left when traveling north.
With the growth of Boscobel as a shipping point for products from the region, a dependable crossing of the river became an economic necessity. The city was incorporated in 1864 so it could issue bonds for the construction of a bridge.
. . . — — Map (db m46758) HM
On U.S. 61 at Old 61, on the left when traveling south on U.S. 61.
"And they stood every man in his place round about the camp." Judges 7:21
One night in September 1898 two salesmen, John H. Nicholson and Samuel E. Hill, shared room 19 in the Central Hotel, Boscobel. They wondered if some organization could . . . — — Map (db m43533) HM
Near Elm Street (U.S. 61) 0.3 miles south of State Highway 60, on the left when traveling north.
Long before people came to what we now call Wisconsin, the Ice Age shaped the land.
The lower Wisconsin River Valley looks as it does today because the glaciers covering eastern and northern Wisconsin 10,000 years ago melted . . . — — Map (db m46757) HM
Near Elm Street (U.S. 61) 0.3 miles south of State Highway 60, on the left when traveling north.
About 11,000 years ago, Native people moved into what is now Wisconsin. In the Chippewa [Ojibwe] language, Wisconsin means "gathering of the waters."
The Native American found a land of many possibilities. Animals such as mammoth, . . . — — Map (db m46772) HM
On East Front Street west of Fredrick Street, on the right when traveling west.
When Wisconsin Territory was established by Congress in 1836, more than a dozen communities eagerly sought to become the capital. Daniels, Denniston, and Company of New York offered this building free if Cassville were chosen. When the Legislature . . . — — Map (db m43565) HM
Cassville's first ferry, a 40-foot rowboat, crossed the Mississippi River in 1833. In 1836, the ferry carried a 23-year-old New Yorker named Nelson Dewey across the river. Dewey was lured to Cassville by its promise as the potential capital of the . . . — — Map (db m43673) HM
On Prime Street, 0.1 miles north of Wall Street, on the left when traveling north.
This Memorial is Dedicated to the Noble, the Proud, the Brave Thanks to Them, Our Country's Still Free and Our Stars and Stripes Still Wave
2007
Dedicated to the Men and Women of the Cassville Area Who Served . . . — — Map (db m79958) WM
Cassville was named for Lewis B. Cass, governor of the Michigan Territory. The earliest mention of the present site was by Henry Schoolcraft in 1820. The settlement began in 1827 when a lead-smelting furnace and a government warehouse were . . . — — Map (db m246626) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
The baggage cart was a standard item on all railroad depot platforms. Their platform was the approximate height of the rail car's bed. This made loading and unloading the baggage and freight fast and easy. Note the handle, this was only pulled . . . — — Map (db m162588) HM
On South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
1975-2008. Originally Cuba City was known for its "Parade of Presidents". This was in reference to a bicentennial community project commemorating our nation's 200th birthday in the year 1976. This project is registered with the American Revolution . . . — — Map (db m162571) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used? Because that's the way they built them in England and English expatriates designed the US railroads. Why . . . — — Map (db m218680) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
These signals were used to warn the engineer of the traffic ahead. The tracks were divided into sections of 2 to 10 miles. One of these signals was placed at the beginning of each of these sections. It is activated by pressure switches under . . . — — Map (db m162602) HM
On South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
The clock was a Cuba City landmark and installed by the Cuba City State Bank at 100 N. Main in 1953 to commemorate the Bank's 50th anniversary (1903-1953). This was one of the finest "clock chimes" that could be purchased at the time. In addition to . . . — — Map (db m162560) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
In areas where there were few cheese factories or creameries, the farmer depended on the railroad to deliver the milk. Platforms the height of the car deck were built next to the tracks. In the evening the farmers of the area would deliver their . . . — — Map (db m162590) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Work Car or Speeder Car as they were called, was used by the section gangs to patrol and repair the tracks. Note the handles which were used to remove the car from the track when a train had to pass. The Tool Trailer was used on larger jobs, . . . — — Map (db m162592) HM
On South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
Wayside railroad signs were once a common sight along the railroad tracks. In the classic railroad era each company usually had their own style of wayside signs they used, although one which became universal was the whistle post. The whistle post . . . — — Map (db m162603) HM
Near South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south.
Nos. 1-2-3 & 7 Rail Alignment Tools Used to move rails side to side for proper alignment prior to being spiked down. No. 4 Crow Bar Used to pull spikes. No. 5 Spike Driver Used to drive spike into the rail ties. . . . — — Map (db m162601) HM
On Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 18) 0 miles south of 6th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Fennimore's narrow gauge train, affectionately known as the "Dinky," operated from 1878 to 1926, far longer than most 3-foot gauge lines in Wisconsin. At a nearby depot, standard and narrow-gauge trains exchanged their passengers and freight. Trains . . . — — Map (db m23570) HM
On State Highway 80, on the right when traveling north.
Late in 1831, when Wisconsin was still in Michigan Territory, Lucius Lyon, U. S. Commissioner on the survey of the northern boundary of the State of Illinois, set a post and erected a mound of earth 6 feet square at the base and 6 feet high, at a . . . — — Map (db m246241) HM
On South Jefferson Street, 0 miles north of East Oak Street, on the right.
When Nelson Dewey left his parents' home at Hamilton, New York, at the age of 23, he traveled by stagecoach, steamer, sailing vessel, horse-back, and on foot to reach Wisconsin. The trip took five weeks, and Dewey arrived in Cassville in June of . . . — — Map (db m246434) HM
On Slabtown Road, 1 mile west of Wisconsin Highway 35/81, on the right when traveling west.
In 1848, William Horner of Warren County, Virginia, and his former slaves, the Shepard family, hitched a team of oxen to wagons and ventured west to Wisconsin. They arrived at this point, later to be known as Pleasant Ridge.
The Shepards bought . . . — — Map (db m23182) HM
On Slabtown Road at Wisconsin Highway 35/81, on the right when traveling west on Slabtown Road.
In 1850, pioneer African-American families began arriving in this area when Charles and Caroline Shepard and Isaac and Sarah Shepard arrived from Fauquier County, Virginia. The Shepards came with William Horner, the great-nephew of their former . . . — — Map (db m23181) HM
On South Madison Street (U.S. 61) at East Maple Street, on the left on South Madison Street.
Popular subscription for this Civil War monument was started on September 16, 1862 and completed with public funds. The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1867 "and to the memory of the brave soldiers of Grant County who fell in defense of universal . . . — — Map (db m21488) HM
On Rock Church Road, 0.3 miles north of County Road E, on the left when traveling north.
The Rock Church, originally part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, stands on land donated by a pioneer settler, Bosman Clifton, in memory of his daughter.
Construction began in 1851 and men and women alike, worked long and hard for several . . . — — Map (db m47089) HM
On Maria Place just north of West Adams Street (State Highway 81), on the left when traveling north.
The Beebe-Johnson in Platteville, Wisconsin is listed in the National Register of Historic Places August 7, 1979 The State Historical Society of Wisconsin in association with the U.S. . . . — — Map (db m237970) HM
On Main Street at Elm Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Wisconsin's first college devoted wholly to training teachers, the Platteville Normal School, opened here on October 9, 1866, in Rountree Hall, which since 1853 has housed its predecessor, the Platteville Academy. The Academy (1842-1866) had . . . — — Map (db m33681) HM
On West Main Street (County Road B) 0.1 miles west of North Elm Street, on the right when traveling west.
Willard was 26 when he volunteered to join the Lewis & Clark expedition. He served primarily as a blacksmith and hunter and knew some carpentry and gun repair; all skills called upon during the Corps of Discovery's journey. Alexander, wife . . . — — Map (db m237900) HM
On W. Irving Place at Court Street, on the left when traveling east on W. Irving Place.
Settled in response to the discovery of lead ore in the area, the original Village of Platteville was platted in 1835. Designed around existing miners' diggings, and lead ore smelters, Platteville was patterned after English villages with narrow . . . — — Map (db m33132) HM
On North Water Street just north of Stevens Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
[right panel]This armory is dedicated by the City of Platteville to those heroic soldier-sons who serve their country in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army of the United States ☆ Ralph M. Immell . . . — — Map (db m237989) HM WM
On E. Pine St. at Lilly St., on the right on E. Pine St..
(from the memoirs of John H. Rountree): "During the fall of 1827 my partner and myself purchased a mineral prospect that had been discovered, by finding small pieces of lead mineral in the litter piles of dirt scratched out by the badger to make . . . — — Map (db m33280) HM
Near West Pine Street just west of South Hickory Street.
In memory of all who attended The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ronald R. Blohm, Army • Sergeant Edwin F. Brown, Army • Second Lieutenant Vasilios Demetris, Marine . . . — — Map (db m238057) WM
On North Bonson Street just north of West Irving Place, on the right when traveling north.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or . . . — — Map (db m237883) HM
On Market Street just east of North Chestnut Street (State Highway 81), on the left when traveling east.
This building was built using a $12,500 Carnegie Foundation grant to the Platteville Library Board. The project was approved in 1914 and built in 1915. It was designed by the architectural firm of Miller, Fullenwider and Dowling from Chicago with . . . — — Map (db m234577) HM
One of Wisconsin's earliest mining communities, Potosi was settled in 1829 after lead ore was found near St. John Mine. Named for the silver mining town of "Potosi" in Bolivia, South America, the village began as three separate settlements and . . . — — Map (db m119347) HM
Near County Road Z (Route Z) south of Murphy Road, on the right when traveling south.
"In the spring of 1832, at the
outbreak of the Black Hawk
War, I built a log fort, or block
house, for the protection of
my family... and neighbors."
- George Wallace Jones.
This is the oldest existing
structure on Sinsinawa Mound. . . . — — Map (db m220218) HM
Near County Road Z at Sinsinawa Road, on the right when traveling south.
The original inhabitants of Sinsinawa Mound were Native Americans
who called it "Manitoumie", meaning
"land where the Spirit dwells".
In 1832, during the Black Hawk War, George Wallace Jones built a fort to
protect area settlers and his . . . — — Map (db m218533) HM