Date in History: 1850
In 1850 when Increase Lapham published his Antiquities of Wisconsin he documented a remarkable series of Indian mounds that ran along Riverside Drive in Fort Atkinson. At the end of the group was the most interesting one of all – an effigy mound in reverse or cut into the ground. This intaglio – as its called – in the shape of a panther, is now marked by a state historic marker in the 1200 block of Riverside Drive.
Back in 1850 when Lapham did his survey, there were a total of eleven of these intaglios in Wisconsin. But now, thanks to the campaign to preserve this unique landmark led by the Daughters of the American Revolution and thoughtful city officials back in the early 1900s, the city of Fort Atkinson can boast that is has the only intaglio left in the entire United States.
This historic document aired on the radio as an Historic Minute on 10/20/2003.