Native American Effigy Mounds
The Gee's Slough Group of Indian Mounds is placed on the National Register of Historic Places. These Mounds are located just outside of the City of New Lisbon. These mounds can be found throughout Wisconsin. The New Lisbon Area was a winter gathering place for the Woodland Culture Indians; they are the ancestors to the Winnebago tribe.
Represented in the Gee's Slough Group mounds are three basic types
- Totem - this effigy usually is in the shape of an animal
- Linear - a long, straight line of earth raised above the surrounding ground
- Round or Oval - this mound is mostly used as the burial mound of an important member of the tribe
The effigy's represented at the New Lisbon Gee's Slough group are the panther or water spirit, the totem of the clan. The linear mound was an important setting for the Woodland Indian's religious rites. The round or oval mound is sometimes joined by a linear mound to form a dumbell shaped mound and were also sites of burials of other members of the tribe. The mounds are always open to the pubilc, located just off of U.S. Highway 12 & 16, turing onto Mounds View Rd.
The Woodland Indians have also left Petroglyphs of the Thunderbird in area caves
According to Indian folk lore thunderstorms were formed when the huge wings of the thunderbird flapped and lighting was caused by the opening and closing of their eyes. They were supposed to be the carriers of the lakes on their backs, which spilled when they tilted their bodies in flight, causing a downpouring of rain. The eggs that they dropped were the thunderbolts that sometimes struck the ground.
Today these caves are privately owned, however you can see cast of these wonderful Thunderbirds and a huge collection of local Woodland artifacts at the New Lisbon Library, located at 115 W. Park St. New Lisbon. The Memorial Libray contains approximately 30,000 volumes plus internet access, audio,viedo and the Harry Mortenson collection of American Indian artifacts, Other Indian artifacts can be viewed at Raabe's Pharmacy.
For map to mounds contact The New Lisbon Chamber of Commerce
National Register of sites in Wisconsin Juneau County
- Cranberry Creek Archeological District
- added 1984 - District - #84003689
- Address Restricted, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
- Historic Significance: Information Potential
- Area of Significance: Prehistoric
- Cultural Affiliation: Woodland, Effigy Mound
- Period of Significance: 499-0 BC, 499-0 AD, 1000-500 AD, 1499-1000 AD
- Owner: Private , Local Gov't , State
- Historic Function: Funerary
- Historic Sub-function: Graves/Burials
- Current Function: Landscape
- Current Sub-function: Unoccupied Land
- Gee's Slough Mound Group
- added 1978 - Site - #78000108
- Also known as New Lisbon Mound Group;47 Ju 56
- Address Restricted, New Lisbon
- Historic Significance: Information Potential
- Area of Significance: Prehistoric
- Cultural Affiliation: woodland,Middle, effigy mound culture
- Period of Significance: 499-0 AD, 1000-500 AD, 1499-1000 AD, 1749-1500 AD
- Owner: Private
- Historic Function: Landscape
- Historic Sub-function: Garden
- Current Function: Landscape
- Current Sub-function: Park
- Lemonweir Glyphs
- added 1993 - Site - #93001173
- Also known as 47Jul34;Lemonweir Rock Art Site
- Address Restricted, Kildare
- Historic Significance: Information Potential
- Area of Significance: Religion, Art, Prehistoric
- Cultural Affiliation: Native American
- Period of Significance: 499-0 BC, 499-0 AD, 1000-500 AD, 1499-1000 AD
- Owner: Private
- Historic Function: Recreation And Culture, Religion
- Historic Sub-function: Ceremonial Site, Work Of Art (Sculpture, Carving, Rock Art)
- Current Function: Recreation And Culture, Vacant/Not In Use
- Current Sub-function: Work Of Art (Sculpture, Carving, Rock Art)
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