Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board to Co-Host an Open House on New Riverway Map

Oct 21, 2022 by Brett

            The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board (LWSRB) and Cultural Landscape Legacies, Inc., will co-host an open house for the public to review the draft of a new map showing the cultural and natural history of the lower Wisconsin River valley.  The open house will be held at the Riverway Board office, 202 N. Wisconsin Ave., in Muscoda, from 10:00 to noon, on Saturday, October 29^th.

            Christina Dennis, a recent University of Wisconsin – Madison graduate, is creating the map as her senior capstone project.  Her faculty advisor is Dr. William Gartner of the UW-Madison Geology Department.  The new map will be available online for area residents and travelers to download and will point to sites of interest from natural features and public access points to archeological and historical sites in communities from Prairie du Sac to Prairie du Chien.  When completed, limited paper copies of the map also will be available.  Public comment and input are appreciated.  See the map at  https://geography.wisc.edu/lower-wisconsin-riverway-map/. 

            In addition to reviewing the map, individuals are invited to ask questions about ancient peoples, area effigy mound sites, rock art, early European explorers and Euro-American settlers, local historical sites, and folks may bring artifacts for possible identification.   

            Mark Cupp, Riverway Board Executive Director, said, “Christina Dennis has created a beautiful map with a wealth of useful information about the Riverway.  She is sincere in wanting input from the public to make certain there are no errors so that the final product is accurate and will stand the test of time.  For those who are unable to attend the October 29^th open house, please visit the website and offer feedback on the easy to use comment tool.”

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 FRANK’S HILL OPEN TO PUBLIC FOR EQUINOX EVENT – Thurs., Sept. 22nd

Sep 14, 2022 by Brett

FRANK’S HILL OPEN TO PUBLIC FOR EQUINOX EVENT

MUSCODA…..Frank’s Hill, an effigy mound site in southern Richland County, will be open to the public for observance of the autumnal equinox.  Fall officially begins at 8:03 p.m. on Thursday, September 22^nd.   Everyone is invited to gather at Frank’s Hill near Muscoda to view the sunset and gather around a campfire on the evening of the September 22^nd or to view the sunrise on the morning of September 23^rd.  The site also may be visited during the day to see the mounds and the grand vista.  The Three Eagles Foundation will have a tour guide available at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening prior to the sunset.  Participants should arrive by 6:00 a.m. to view the sunrise on Friday the 23^rd.  The event is subject to suitable weather conditions.  A short hike will be required to the top of the hill that offers a stunning view of the lower Wisconsin River valley. The site is located 2 miles west of Muscoda near the intersection of Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 193. 

            Frank’s Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places.  A group of unique effigy mounds is situated on the east ridge where the observances will occur.  Across Hwy. 193 lies the west ridge where a line of small conical mounds, thought to be calendar mounds, is situated.  The site offers a panoramic vista of the lower Wisconsin River valley.  The lands around the site once contained the highest concentration of bird effigy mounds found anywhere in the world.  The mounds are thought to have been built during the Late Woodland period dating back to one thousand or more years ago.

            To learn more about the equinox event or for directions, contact Dave Martin at (608) 739-4198 or Mark Cupp at (608) 739-2179 or visit the Three Eagles Foundation website or Facebook page.

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Dec. 21st, 2021 – WINTER SOLSTICE OBSERVANCE SLATED FOR FRANK’S HILL

Dec 15, 2021 by Brett

The public is invited to Frank’s Hill in southern Richland County on Tuesday, December 21st, when the
setting sun on the shortest of day of the year will be viewed from a small knoll peppered with effigy mounds in southernRichland County. The property is located on STH 193 just off STH 60 a few miles west of Muscoda and has been the site of many solstice and equinox gatherings in the past. Weather permitting, area residents are invited to join the festivities and remember events of the past year. A moment of silence will be observed for those who have passed away since the last trip around the sun. Following the sunset, attendees are welcome to gather around the campfire to share stories and learn more about Frank’s Hill. Physical distancing is encouraged. Face coverings are optional. The event is sponsored by the Three Eagles Foundation.

Frank’s Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places. A group of unique effigy mounds is situated on the East Ridge where the event will occur, which looks across to the west ridge where a line of small mounds, believed to be calendar mounds, is situated. The site offers a panoramic vista of the area which once contained the highest concentration of bird effigy mounds found anywhere in the world, including the remnants of the giant Ghost Eagle mound with a wingspan of over 1⁄4 mile. The Ghost Eagle mound factors into the alignment with the setting sun on the winter solstice. Most archeologists agree the mounds were built a thousand or more years ago.

Participants should arrive by 4:00 p.m. to allow for time to hike to the top of the hill. Dress warmly and bring food, drink, and a chair for sitting around the fire. Directions to Frank’s Hill are as follows; from the north end of the Muscoda bridge at the intersection of STH 80 & 60, drive west on Hwy. 60 for two miles and turn north on STH 193. Park by the first gate on the east side of the road, a short distance from Hwy. 60, and walk to the top of the hill.

To learn more about the solstice event or for directions, contact Dave Martin at (608) 739-4198 or Mark Cupp at
(608) 739-2179. Additional information may be found at the Three Eagles Foundation website or Facebook page.

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WINTER SOLSTICE OBSERVANCE SLATED FOR FRANK’S HILL

Dec 10, 2019 by Brett

            The public is invited to Frank’s Hill in southern Richland County on Saturday, December 21st, when the setting sun on the shortest of day of the year will be viewed from a small knoll peppered with effigy mounds in southern Richland County.  The property is located on STH 193 just off STH 60 a few miles west of Muscoda and has been the site of many solstice and equinox gatherings in the past.  Weather permitting, area residents are invited to join the festivities and remember events of the past year.  A moment of silence will be observed for those who have passed away since the last trip around the sun.  Following the sunset, attendees are welcome to gather around the campfire to share stories and learn more about Frank’s Hill.  The event is sponsored by the Three Eagles Foundation.

            Frank’s Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places.  A group of unique effigy mounds is situated on the East Ridge where the event will occur, which looks across to the west ridge where a line of small mounds, believed to be calendar mounds, is situated.  The site offers a panoramic vista of the area which once contained the highest concentration of bird effigy mounds found anywhere in the world, including the remnants of the giant Ghost Eagle mound with a wingspan of over ¼ mile.  The Ghost Eagle mound factors into the alignment with the setting sun on the winter solstice.  Most archeologists agree the mounds were built a thousand or more years ago.

            Participants should arrive by 4:00 p.m. to allow for time to hike to the top of the hill.  Dress warmly and bring food, drink and a chair for sitting around the fire.  Directions to Frank’s Hill are as follows; from the north end of the Muscoda bridge at the intersection of STH 80 & 60, drive west on Hwy. 60 for two miles and turn north on STH 193.  Park by the first gate on the east side of the road, a short distance from Hwy. 60, and walk to the top of the hill.              

            To learn more about the solstice event or for directions, contact Dave Martin at (608) 739-4198 or Mark Cupp at (608) 739-2179.   Additional information may be found at the Three Eagles Foundation website or Facebook page.

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June 21st – Summer Solstice Observance and Frank’s Hill

Jun 10, 2019 by Brett

The public is invited to Frank’s Hill in southern Richland County to observe the setting sun on the longest of day of the year, the summer solstice.  The official start of summer will occur at 10:54 a.m. on Friday, June 21^st.  All are welcome to join the Three Eagles Foundation on the hill to view the first sunset of summer.  Early risers also may enjoy the glorious sunrises from the site.  Weather permitting, the Three Eagles Foundation will provide a guided tour.  The site also serves a grand place for stargazing.  Those who are unable to attend the June 21^st event are welcome to visit the site at another time.

            Frank’s Hill is a small knoll peppered with effigy mounds that offers a commanding view of the lower Wisconsin River valley.  The neighboring ridge to the west contains a group of small conical mounds thought to be calendar mounds that track the setting sun from May 1^st to the summer solstice and back.  Participants are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 p.m. to have time to walk around the mounds and should be there by 8:00 to enjoy the sunset.  Those attending should bring chairs or blankets and insect repellant.  Also, feel free to bring a telescope or good set of binoculars and a camera. 

            Directions to Frank’s Hill are as follows; from the north end of the Muscoda bridge at the intersection of STH 80 & 60, drive west on Hwy. 60 for two miles and turn north on STH 193.  Park by the first gate on the east side of the road, a short distance from Hwy. 60, and walk to the top of the hill.  For questions regarding the event, contact Dave Martin at (608) 739-4198 or Mark Cupp at 739-3188.  More information on Frank’s Hill may be found at the Three Eagles Foundation website at www.3-Eagles.org or by visiting the Foundation’s Facebook page.

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