Historical Markers and War Memorials in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Portage is the county seat for Columbia County
Wisconsin Dells is in Columbia County
Columbia County(74) ► ADJACENT TO COLUMBIA COUNTY Adams County(8) ► Dane County(443) ► Dodge County(26) ► Green Lake County(13) ► Juneau County(20) ► Marquette County(11) ► Sauk County(61) ►
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Welcome to Witches Gulch
In the 1800s, Witches Gulch was a far from accessible. Centuries of fallen trees and other debris made a hike through the gorge a physical and mental marathon.
In H.H. Bennett's search for new places to . . . — — Map (db m157076) HM
In 1873, steamboats began overtaking rowboats for river excursions to see the famous Dells. One such steamer was built in 1878 by the Kilbourn Boat Company and named after Alexander Mitchell, a successful Milwaukee banker and railroad magnate. By . . . — — Map (db m156991) HM
This natural harbor is named for Gen. Joseph Bailey, original owner of the property. It has been the gateway to the magnificent dells of Wisconsin for millions of visitors for over 100 years. Sight-seeing boats have developed from spoon-oared . . . — — Map (db m7757) HM
This building was constructed on the home site of General Joseph Bailey Civil War hero and a founder of Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells) in 1856. Bailey became a national Civil War hero in 1864 when Porter's Red River Fleet was stranded in low . . . — — Map (db m7966) HM
Born May 9, 1844 in Martinsburg, VA.
Died June 11, 1900 at Kilbourn, WI.
On May 23, 1862 at the Battle of Front Royal, VA., Belle Boyd, then 18, ran across the battlefield between the firing lines with information for Gen. Stonewall . . . — — Map (db m8023) HM
The word "Dells" was derived from the French word "Dalles," meaning flat-layered or slab rock. These layers of rock were formed during the Cambrian period, 500 million years ago, when the North American Continent was completely covered by an ocean, . . . — — Map (db m157040) HM
Claiming that "no man can own the Dells." George H. Crandall - son-in-law to H.H. Bennett - ensured his legacy with extraordinary efforts to preserve the scenic landscape. Even though Crandall himself was involved in the tourist trade, managing . . . — — Map (db m157128) HM
This building was constructed in 1875 by Henry Hamilton Bennett, pioneer landscape photographer, nationally known for his artistry, technical excellence and inventive genius. His views of this area brought the earliest tourists to his beloved Dells . . . — — Map (db m7851) HM
Henry Hamilton (H.H.) Bennett (1843-1908) is recognized as on of the countries foremost landscape photographers.At the age of only 22, with little formal education and a damaged right hand, he began his photographic career in Kilbourn City (now . . . — — Map (db m157084) HM
Arriving in the developing Kilbourn City as a teenager in 1857, Henry Hamilton Bennett began work as a carpenter. After suffering a hand injury during the Civil War, he chose a new career and opened a photography studio that still stands on Broadway . . . — — Map (db m157131) HM
A Wisconsin Pioneer
One of the founders of Wisconsin Dells, Joseph Bailey completed the first dam across the Wisconsin River here in 1859. Opposition from upriver lumbermen required the dam's removal in 1860. Bailey's dream to build an . . . — — Map (db m134610) HM
In 1634, Jean Nicolet was the first white man to have contact with the Indians of Wisconsin. He was soon followed to this area by French and British explorers, missionaries, adventurers and fur traders. The first white settlers came in the 1840's . . . — — Map (db m157039) HM
(two panels, side-by-side)
Indians
Indian tribes have lived in this area of Wisconsin for centuries. Jean Nicolet, a French Government representative, was the first white man to have contact with the Indians in 1634. . . . — — Map (db m157082) HM
The first bridge on this site, a wooden structure, was completed in 1857. Byron Kilbourn, land speculator and politician promoted the site. Through his influence the LaCrosse and Milwaukee Railroad crossed the river here instead of at Newport, 2 . . . — — Map (db m8047) HM
Downriver sits the ruins of the lost city of Newport. In the early 1850s, the settlement on the Lower Dells developed rapidly, amidst rumors the town was to be the spot of the new LaCrosse and Milwaukee Railroad bridge. Speculators' hopes were . . . — — Map (db m157129) HM
The mounds of this group are a fairly representative sample of those built by the people of the Effigy Mound Culture between A.D. 700-1000. It has been through excavation of other burial mounds quite similar to these that archeologists have learned . . . — — Map (db m7731) HM
Praise be to God
K.I.A.
Korea Durlin
Morse
Vietnam Dennis Beard
Korea
Deceased Korean War Members of Harold B. Larkin Post 187 The American Legion
"We honor those veterans who gave of themselves to . . . — — Map (db m80461) WM
WHI 2101
Ashley Bennett, son of photographer H.H. Bennett, jumping to Stand Rock, caught in midair by the instantaneous shutter. — — Map (db m157080) HM
Abundant stands of white pines throughout Northern Wisconsin spurred the first era of big business to the Dells beginning in 1833. Timber logs 70-feet long were floated down to sawmills, where they were cut into rough planks. Lumbermen made their . . . — — Map (db m157133) HM
From early settlers and lumber raftsmen, to row boat guides, steamboat captains and modern-day tour operators, love for this unique stretch of the Wisconsin River runs deep as its history. Tourism remains the driving economy for the waterway. Today, . . . — — Map (db m157132) HM
River excursions in Wisconsin Dells were born from one man's a-ha moment. Leroy Gates gained notoriety as an expert lumber raft pilot, guiding the bundled wood planks through the tricky waters of the Dells. He began to make a show of his skills, . . . — — Map (db m157036) HM
Perry G. Stroud, a young attorney from New York, established this early bank in Kilbourn City, now Wisconsin Dells, in ca. 1870. Over his thirty-year career as the town's first attorney, Stroud preserved much of the city's early documentary history. . . . — — Map (db m7850) HM
For thousands of years, indigenous people have lived on this land. Wisconsin Dells is home to the Ho-Chunk, whose native land extends from Michigan to Illinois. For centuries, the Ho-Chunk people have gathered in the Dells to revitalize themselves . . . — — Map (db m157127) HM
The year 1908 brought dramatic changes to the Wisconsin River and the Dells. After many attempts at harnessing the power of the river with smaller dams, a new high dam and hydroelectric power plant were built. The Kilbourn Dam split the river into . . . — — Map (db m157126) HM
The arrival of the railroad in 1857 created a boom in tourism as an increased number of sightseers arrived by rail to take scenic boat tours. The Dells of the Wisconsin River had gained notoriety through the photographs of H.H. Bennett. But the . . . — — Map (db m157035) HM
Picture before you a white-rapids river raging between its rocky banks. The early days of the Wisconsin River flowing through this region were not the serene postcard scenes of today. The riverbed and towering sandstone bluffs were formed more than . . . — — Map (db m157037) HM
Henry Hamilton Bennett, pioneer photographer, discovered, pictured and named many of the scenic spots including this, The Witches Gulch.
George H. Crandall, and his wife, Nellie Bennett Crandall here acquired, preserved and reforested hundreds of . . . — — Map (db m157073) HM
Deceased WW I Members of Harold B. Larkin Post 187
The American Legion "They Served with Honor"
Roll of Honor (W.W. I War Dead)
Lawrence S. Christianson Otto Christopherson
Hubert Coon
Harold B. Larkin
Keith L. . . . — — Map (db m80577) WM
On June 9, 2008 after an unprecedented series of storms, a breach occurred in the eastern end of Lake Delton. Lake Delton is the heart of the community and an essential part of the tourist industry.
Immediate restoration of the lake was . . . — — Map (db m192031) HM
Modeled after Frontierland at Disneyland, Fort Dells was built here in 1959 bringing the Disney Experience to Dells Visitors for 26 years.
Featuring–Stagecoach, Railroad, Paddlewheel Steamboat, Swinging Bridge, Blockhouse Exhibits, Escape . . . — — Map (db m9294) HM
This American Flag was dedicated
November 22, 2002
to honor
Stanton Peter Helland,
who is symbolic of unwavering
leadership, determined dedication
and peerless contributions to
preserving the unique
beauty and scenic splendor
of . . . — — Map (db m26182) HM
The Indians believed that many years ago the Great Spirit, in the form of a snake, created the Dells when it forced its huge body through a narrow opening in the rocks. Geological studies, however, show that the Dells were formed some fifteen . . . — — Map (db m1882) HM
