ON THIS SPOT _ Issue 1

The History of the Marking
of Wisconsin
They're out there! Mostly in plain
sight, sometimes obscured by
over­growth, sometimes in places
so remote even locals have
forgotten them. Still, they’re out
there in the thousands.
Rigorously researched.
Meticulously made. Purposely
placed. Bronze tablets bolted to
boulders, massive wooden
markers mounted between hewn
logs, metal signs a top slender
silver poles – the history of
Wisconsin is preserved with a
variety of shapes and sizes of
historical markers. Easily
accessible at roadway turnouts
and rest stops, inside parks and
recreation areas, on or near
government or other important
community buildings, passersby
may not notice them at first ­­ but
once aware, markers turn up
everywhere!
Landmarks in Wisconsin, The State
Historical Society endeavored to
posit an enthusiasm for identifying,
preserving and marking
Wisconsin’s historic sites, and for
documenting those sites already so
marked.
The Wisconsin Historical Society
had its eyes on New England and
Los Angeles, California, where
notable efforts to preserve, restore,
and label historic sites had been
underway since 1875 and 1895,
respectively. Also noted was the
historic self­consciousness” of
most European nations and the
organization of "scientific commissions
to mark, preserve and study
their ancient monuments."
Whether erected by state, county,
or local societies, individuals or
groups, Wisconsin’s historical
markers serve three purposes:
they identify a location where
some significant event occurred;
they commemorate and
memorialize that event; and they
bring that event to the attention of
people of varying ages and
backgrounds in a way that is
interesting, understandable, and
meaningful.
In its September 1913 Bulletin of
Information No. 70: A Record of