On Mineral Point Road (State Highway 78) at River Street, on the right when traveling east on Mineral Point Road.
Argyle was founded in 1844 by Allen Wright, a Scotsman who named it after the Duke of Argyle. In 1855, the first bridge was built here over the Pecatonica River. The bridge was replaced in 1875 and again in 1895. Yet another bridge, the much admired . . . — — Map (db m55580) HM
On N. State Street (Wisconsin Route 78) 0.1 miles north of Grant St., on the right when traveling south.
This is the surviving portion of Argyle’s oldest existing house, built by John Z. Saxton and J.S. Waddington in 1850. Robert M. LaFollette lived here for ten years after his mother married Saxton in 1862. “Fighting Bob” LaFollette rose to become . . . — — Map (db m229772) HM
On County Route G at County Route B, on the right when traveling west on County Route G.
On January 14, 1998, the Wisconsin Assembly met at the First Capitol in Belmont in honor of the Sesquicentennial of Statehood. The Territorial Legislature held its first session here in 1836, and convened for three more sessions in what is now . . . — — Map (db m55046) HM
On County Route G at County Route B, on the right on County Route G.
When Governor Henry Dodge addressed the joint session of the legislature here on October 25, 1836, the Territory of Wisconsin included all of present day Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and parts of the two Dakotas. The population was about equally . . . — — Map (db m33129) HM
On County Route G at County Route B, on the right on County Route G.
On January 14, 1998, Governor Tommy G. Thompson addressed the Wisconsin Assembly at Wisconsin's First Territorial Capitol in Belmont in honor of the Sesquicentennial of Statehood. Serving more terms than any other governor in the history of . . . — — Map (db m33130) HM
On G at B (County Route B), on the right when traveling west on G.
The Land
First Capitol Historic Site is located in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. When the glaciers bypassed the area they left the soft sandstones and limestones intact to form the varied landscape you see today. Belmont Mound . . . — — Map (db m33277) HM
On County Route G at County Route B, on the right when traveling west on County Route G.
Wisconsin's Territorial Government
On April 20, 1836, Congress passed an act establishing the Wisconsin Territory, composed of the present states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and the eastern halves of North and South Dakota. President . . . — — Map (db m33278) HM
On West Main Street (State Highway 11) just west of North Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling west.
This bell was used to alert firefighters and citizens of a fire and was used until an electric siren was installed in 1923. Later it was rung to remind members of fire meetings and drills. — — Map (db m235500) HM
On East Main Street (State Highway 11) near Park Street, on the right when traveling east.
In grateful tribute to the men and women of Benton Village, New Diggings and Benton Townships who served our country to protect the cause of all freedoms
World War I
Elmer L. Newman
Cpl. Co. K. 355 Inf. U.S.A.
1889- 1918
Augustus . . . — — Map (db m202822) WM
Near Main Street (State Highway 11) at County Highway J.
In 1847, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, founded the community of Dominican Sisters at Sinsinawa Mound. Buried here are fourteen of these Sisters.
In 1852, Father Samuel opened St. Clara Academy in Benton. The Sisters staffed the school, . . . — — Map (db m202814) HM
On State Highway 11, 0.3 miles west of Ridge Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
In 1835 Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican missionary, came to the lead region from the Green Bay-Mackinac frontier. One year later he addressed the opening session of the territorial legislature. Soon he was establishing schools and preparing . . . — — Map (db m55045) HM
On County Road F at Hill Road, on the left when traveling east on County Road F.
In 1850 Zenas Gurley and his family settled in this area. His charisma and leadership led several of this area's early settlers to convert to the Mormon faith. While worshiping on a site similar to this one, the scenic view led them to believe they . . . — — Map (db m33079) HM
On South Main Street (State Highway 78) at Mill Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
In 1843, the Cline and Newkirk families arrived in the area followed by the Wildermuths in 1846. All were related by marriage and drawn here by fertile land and the Pecatonica River. Disillusion with their current religion and family tragedies led . . . — — Map (db m32041) HM
On Oak Street (State Highway 78) at East Baker Street (County Road F), on the left when traveling north on Oak Street.
In 1850, Zenas Gurley, settled with his family in this area. His charisma and leadership drew other devout families to this area after he broke with Brigham Young because of his polygamy practices. This settlement was called “Zarahemla” . . . — — Map (db m33077) HM
On High Street, 0.1 miles east of County Road I, on the left when traveling south.
Striking in its classical simplicity, this little frame church 30x50 has stood on the New Diggings Hill since its construction in 1844-47 as a place of worship for the Irish mining families of the vicinity. A beautiful example of Greco-Gothic . . . — — Map (db m59534) HM
On West Estey Street, 0.1 miles east of South Galena Street, on the left when traveling east.
This site is in the heart of the pioneer lead mining region, origin of Wisconsin’s “Badger” nickname. The Winnebago Indian Peace Treaty signed, pioneer miners flooded this area in the 1827 “Lead Rush”. These hardy pioneers . . . — — Map (db m55048) HM
On West Estey Steet at South Galena Street, on the left when traveling east on West Estey Steet.
Badger Park, like our Badger State, took its name from this area where some of the miners, like badgers, “dug-in” for the winter, while others, called “suckers” moved on south. It includes 8½ acres of what was considered . . . — — Map (db m55052) HM
On West Water Steet at South Galena Street, on the right when traveling north on West Water Steet.
Badger Park, like our Badger State, took its name from this area where some of the miners, like badgers, “dug-in” for the winter, while others, called “suckers” moved on south. It includes 8½ acres of what was considered . . . — — Map (db m55053) HM
On Judgement Street at Truth Street, on the right when traveling north on Judgement Street.
St. Matthew Parish was founded by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli OP on August 27, 1835 with the baptism of Henrica Murphy. Worship was held in the cabins of members until 1841 when Father Samuel built the first church which was located on the SE corner . . . — — Map (db m68253) HM
At Gratiot's Grove
two-and-a-half miles
southeast from here the
first Methodist sermon
in Wisconsin was
delivered by the
Rev. John Dew
August 21, 1828 — — Map (db m55054) HM
On State Highway 11, 0.2 miles west of Big Cut Road, on the right when traveling east.
Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties were once the center of a lead-mining boom. Indians had sold lead to early traders, but there were few white miners here in 1820. Mining brought in a large part of the 37,000 population credited to the three . . . — — Map (db m55044) HM
Near State Highway 78, 1 mile south of County Route N.
Norwegian immigrants formed this congregation in 1844 and began constructing their church in 1847. This is the oldest Norwegian Lutheran church still in use in America. — — Map (db m55050) HM
On County Route Y, 3 miles County Route M, on the left when traveling north.
Blackhawk Memorial Park is on the site of the Battle of Pecatonica, the first of three military engagements fought in present-day Wisconsin during the American-Indian conflict of 1832, known as the Black Hawk War. On June 16, 1832, following attacks . . . — — Map (db m68810) HM
Near County Route Y, 3 miles north of County Route M.
At this place on June 16, 1832 between Wisconsin pioneers, under Colonel Henry Dodge, and a band of Black Hawk’s Sacs was fought the Battle of the Pecatonica. “The annals of Indian warfare offer no parallel to this battle.” Of the . . . — — Map (db m68809) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 78) at Mineral Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Built by Col. Wm. Hamilton, youngest son of the renowned American statesman, Alexander Hamilton. Col. Hamilton was the founder of Hamilton Diggings, now Wiota. He was born in New York, August 4, 1797. He spent 3 years at West Point after which he . . . — — Map (db m67297) HM
