History Buffs
Our unique history begins with the land. The Baraboo hills have been at times mountains and islands in a warm shallow sea. They have been walls and gate keepers when mighty glaciers moved down from the north. Our land is filled with the remnants of this amazing history. Our part of the world is a showcase for those interested in geology and glaciology. The the west and south-west the land changes again having remained beyond the reaches of the last glaciation. Here sandstone formations, cliffs, chimneys and even a stone arch have withstood the millennia.
The line of our human past seems to travel further back in time with each new discovery from the writings in the sandstone & and black char under ledges where the smoke from a thousand fires burned through time. Effigy mounds including a very rare “Man Mound” still dot the landscape. Pyramids rise to the south-west where once stood an outpost of the still mysterious Mississippian culture. It’s really quite amazing.
In more “modern” times our area tells stories of french explorers and trappers, farmers, loggers and miners, and of course inevitable battles with our native peoples. Towns rose and fell with the fortunes of the railways. Industries came and went. Baraboo is home to the winter quarters of the famous Ringling Brother’s Circus. California’s wine industry follows it’s roots to Prairie du Sac where Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy started his first winery and that is just the beginning. If you love history, you’ll find something that captures your imagination here in central Wisconsin. The hard part if knowing where to start.
Featured Historical Attractions
Circus World Museum, Baraboo – Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin is designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior and is located at the site of the original Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters.
550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
Phone:608-356-8341 or 1-866-693-1500
For more information visit: circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org
Taliesin, Spring Green – The home of world famous Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright considered the well from which his greatest works were inspired.
Highways 23 and C,
Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588
Phone: 608.588.7900 or toll free at 877.588.7900
For more information visit: www.taliesinpreservation.org
Mid-Continent Railway Museum, North Freedom - Ride a authentic antique train! Mid-Continent in located just a few miles from Baraboo in the village North Freedom. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is open year around and is another great family attraction.
E8948 Diamond Hill Road
North Freedom, WI 53951
Phone:608-522-4261
For more information visit: www.midcontinent.org
Al. Ringling Theater, Baraboo – The Al Ringling Theater was built by circus showman Al Ringling (of the Ringling Brothers) as a gift back to the town in which he grew up and loved. The Theater was designed in ornate French Renaissance style by architectural firm Rapp & Rapp, best known for their Chicago Theater. The “Al” is a work of majestic building with gilded plasterwork, frescoes and mosaics and antique tapestries. The Theater opened in 1915 to operatic performances, but soon became known for vaudeville and later motion pictures.
136 Fourth Ave
Baraboo, WI 53913
Phone:608-356-8864
– For more information visit: www.alringling.com
Fort Winnebago’s Surgeons Quarters, Portage – The Surgeon’s Quarters is the only remaining building of the Historical Ft. Winnebago, Ft. Winnebago Surgeon’s Quarter used from 1828 to 1845.
W8687 Highway 33 East,
Portage WI 53901
Phone: 608-742-2949
– For more information visit: www.wsdar.com/surgeons
Quick Stops
Chief Yellow Thunder Memorial, Rural Baraboo – In 1909 the society marked the grave of Chief Yellow Thunder and his wife on county highway A north of Baraboo.
– For more information & map click here.
Man Mound County Park, Rural Baraboo – In 1907 the Sauk County Historical Society in cooperation with the State Archeological Society and Wisconsin Federation of Women’ Clubs purchased the land now known as Man Mound County park just north of Baraboo which contains the only man shaped effigy mound in Wisconsin.
– For more information & map click here.
Timme Mill County Park, Lake Delton – Timme Mill County Park is located at the Lake Delton/Mirror Lake Dam which holds back Dell Creek creating Mirror Lake. Dell Creek was first dammed in 1860 to power a flour mill which was later acquired by the Timme family in 1893. The Timmes sold their mill in 1947, and new owners continued to produce pancake flour until the mill burned down in 1957. In addition to the being the historic location of Timme’s Mill, there is also a small grotto or cave located in the park that served as one of the first saloons in Wisconsin Dells called aptly, “The Hole In The Wall”.
- For more information & map click here.
More From Skillet Creek
- Antiquing – Find Local Antique Shops
- Historic Post Card Gallery – Local Historic Post Cards
- Natural Areas Guide @ Devilslakewisconsin.com
- Effigy Mounds @ Devilslakewisconsin.com
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