BH Trail Markers-Route

[John R Porter]

I am attempting to find a guide which would show a logicial and accessible modern road map route following the BH Battle sites, etc. I am attempting to locate a copy of "Along the Black Hawk Trail"-Stark.. but as I understand from this fourm there have been changes to the route and markers since publication.
I hope this type of request is allowed on this fourm, if not maybe someone could direct me to a correct source or method.

Thanks

[Greg Carter]

LaPort ,

If you are looking for a copy of Along the Black Hawk Trail, I recommend ABEBooks.com. I found my copy, among other essential BHW books on that site.

On the subject of trails, speaking at least from Illinois, you will have to check out the list of Illinois Historical markers at the ISHS website or their published book, and make your trail from there. The same sort-of applies for Wisconsin, but I believe that there is a well-marked "trail" leading from Wis. Heights to Bad Axe. I don't remember which county it is but I know one of the counties up there publishes a driving tour.

Your alternative is to hook up with somebody from the OLRHS perhaps and get a driving tour. Thoughts?

Greg Carter
Old Lead Region H.S.

[Greg Carter]

Adding to my last post, sorry.

the ISHS website is www.historyillinois.org

If you are interested in a short tour of the lead mines and such, Foundry Books in Mineral Point, WI, offers a locally authored driving tour of lead mines and other historical points that is pretty nice. I think I bought mine for $15 or something along those lines.

Just curious, what sites are you looking to visit?

GMC

[Robert Braun]

Hello "LaPort" and welcome to the BHW discussion board!

Please sign all postings with your real name... it is one of the few rules we have. It's easy to add an automatic signature to your "Profile" section; contact me if you need any help.

Again.. welcome!

Bob Braun
Moderator.

[gorentz]

I just now learned about this forum and signed up, and this looks like a good thread in which to introduce myself. I'm from Battle Creek, Michigan, and am planning a two-week bike ride to some of the Black Hawk war sites in Illinois and Wisconsin that I haven't already visited. My interest in Black Hawk and the war is mostly about sites in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, but rather than go into a long explanation, I'll point at a web page:

<http://www.iserv.net/~jgorentz/history/bhsh.htm>

I was studying Greg Carter's and Matt Kestel's web page about forts of the Sauk War, marking my maps with the information, and then figured I should find out how to get in touch with these people to see if they'd entertain questions. And that's what led me to this web site. It looks like I may have found just the place to ask questions! And I'd be glad to try to answer questions about the Michigan/Indiana/Ohio connections, too.

John Gorentz

[Robert Braun]

gorentz said:

I just now learned about this forum and signed up, and this looks like a good thread in which to introduce myself. I'm from Battle Creek, Michigan, and am planning a two-week bike ride to some of the Black Hawk war sites in Illinois and Wisconsin that I haven't already visited. My interest in Black Hawk and the war is mostly about sites in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, but rather than go into a long explanation, I'll point at a web page:

<http://www.iserv.net/~jgorentz/history/bhsh.htm>

I was studying Greg Carter's and Matt Kestel's web page about forts of the Sauk War, marking my maps with the information, and then figured I should find out how to get in touch with these people to see if they'd entertain questions. And that's what led me to this web site. It looks like I may have found just the place to ask questions! And I'd be glad to try to answer questions about the Michigan/Indiana/Ohio connections, too.

John Gorentz

Hello, John! You have, indeed found the right place! :)Thank you for joining our discussion board.

Fire away with your comments and questions; we'll do our level best to answer them!

Cordialy,

Bob Braun
Moderator.

[gorentz]

Thanks, Bob.

It looks like the first order of business should be for me to find what people have had to say about changes in markers, etc., since the Stark book was written. (I have a library copy of the book and have been making use of it to prepare my travel itinerary.)

John Gorentz

[Robert Braun]

gorentz said:

Thanks, Bob.

It looks like the first order of business should be for me to find what people have had to say about changes in markers, etc., since the Stark book was written. (I have a library copy of the book and have been making use of it to prepare my travel itinerary.)

John Gorentz

Hello, John!

There's good news and less than good news regarding Starke's book. The most glaring item is that it is a bit dated. He wrote it twenty years ago, anfd there have been some changes along the way!

The good news is that the Stark book is among the better balanced narratives you will find on the BHW. There are some errors of fact in the book (among them the rediculous assertion that Dodge's command fought over the scalps at the Battle of Pecatonica, and the spruce tree near the Spafford Field monument was identifed as a "pine tree." Happily, most of the sites described by Starke remain for you to see today.

There are some changes:

1. The battlefield at Wisconsin Heights is now open and viewable, albiet without a battlefield map or marker to direct visitors unfamiliar with the field. The Wisconsin Historical Society marker has been changed an updated. You will need to park your car (or bike) and walk approximately 1/4 mile to the battle site. The area contains one of the best preserved battlefields I have ever seen!

2. Dodge's home (the former Fort Union) has a Wisconsin Historical Society marker, added during the state's sesquicentennial.

3. The 1922 artwork by Frank M. Engebretson showing "Fort Hamilton" in Wiota (attached to the Zimmerman Cheese Factory) was replaced circa June 2000 with new original artwork. There are still questions as to whether or not Fort Hamilton had one blockhouse, or the two seen in the painting. Whatever happened to the original artwork is not know to me.

4. Dr. Bean's house, which once sat directly adjacent to the BH retreat route to the Mississippi, is now gone.

5. Dr. C. V. Porter's original markers that described the late July/ early August movements of BH and the Army have been replaced with recast replicas of the originals-- probably at some point during the sesquicentennial. These recast monuments are easily found now, as they reside in small roofed shelters, accompanied by moronic disclaimers about the verbiage used by Dr. Porter (can't OFFEND anyone, ya know! ) "Battle Hollow" remains virtually untouched since Starke's day.

6. The Fort Jackson site, on Commerce Street in Mineral Point, is now marked by a Wisconsin Historical Society marker.

7. The Wisconsin Historical Society marker that described Fort Defiance (five miles south of Mineral Point) has been relocated (again) along with the 1928 granite marker, to a well-constructed pull-off on Route 23.

8. The "Burnt Village" site north of Coldspring, Wisconsin(not far from my home!) now has a WIsconsin Hisotrical Society marker.

9. The battle site at Pecatonica ("Bloody Lake") is now in much better hands--- cleaned up and well-marked. Well worth a visit, or an overnight camping stay. The cement marker is located at Campsite No. 14, and has sustained some vandalism since Starke's day.

10. The large stone marker at the location of Fort Koshkonong in Fort Atkinson was "upgraded" in 2003 to include a cast bronze marker to highlight the original engraving which I guess someone thought was too hard to see. The Eli P. May House on the property remains a private residence. Stop in and say "hi." I know the owner reeeeeeal well!

I hope this inforation was of some help to you!

Bob braun.