County accepts gift of Indian mounds

By Steve Sharp: steves@wdtimes.com

JEFFERSON — Jefferson County seems perhaps akin to the tortoise from “The Tortoise and The Hare” when it comes to its leaders’ patient, steady, methodical approach to developing tempting tourist destinations within its boundaries.

The county has decided its tourism niche should be one that caters to those who love to explore local and regional history, as well as people who engage in the silent sports of biking, running, hiking and cross country skiing.

Along with creating travel destinations over the past few decades, the county’s constant effort to improve its parks and trails benefits the local populace seeking the same outdoor recreational opportunities as tourists. 

On Tuesday evening this “tortoise” took another significant step in his progress toward the goal of making the county a passive tourism island among such places as Milwaukee, Madison, the Fox Valley and the Janesville/Beloit area.

Following the recommendation of its parks committee, the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors agreed during its regular session for April to accept donation of a 2-acre parcel of property to expand the Indian Mounds and Trail Park near Fort Atkinson.

Indian Mounds and Trail Park is a gem of a Jefferson County Park located on Koshkonong Mounds Road south of Fort Atkinson. The 5-acre park offers visitors the opportunity to view 11 American Indian effigy mounds, which include symmetrical and animal effigy shapes built by Native Americans between A.D. 650 and 1200.

These mounds are believed to have ceremonial, spiritual and practical purposes to Native American people.

According to the resolution addressed by the board Tuesday, Gary, Jill and David Gramley offered to donate to the county approximately 2 acres of their land adjoining Indian Mounds Park. Their land contains several prime examples of mounds.

“By accepting this donation and expanding Indian Mounds Park, Jefferson County will be able to ensure that these Indian effigy mounds will be permanently protected and (it can) preserve a valuable Native American heritage (asset) for future generations,” the parks committee wrote in its resolution that was quickly and unanimously approved.

Acceptance of this donation will increase the size of Indian Mounds Park to approximately 7 acres. This being a gift to the county, there is no fiscal impact.

Jefferson County Parks Director Joe Nehmer has experienced other immeasurably important land donations to the county during his tenure. Many other such acts of generosity have allowed for the perpetual protection of the area’s American Indian mounds.

Nehmer said he was pleased to talk with the Daily Times about the donation after it was approved by the board.

“To the best of my knowledge this donation takes in all, or a portion of, eight more mounds,” Nehmer said. “At this point, the best I can say — not being a scientist — is that the property contains conical, linear and bird effigies. There may also be a turtle.”

The mounds appear to be in excellent condition, according to Nehmer, and are without disruption.

“This is all part of the General Atkinson mound group, perhaps the single largest mound group in Wisconsin,” Nehmer said, “many of which have been destroyed.”

The county has yet to acquire the property and it needs to complete a survey. The county must also accomplish a transfer of land title.

“We are grateful and appreciative of this donation,” Nehmer said. “It’s people like the Gramleys who have built the park system in Jefferson County and this is a very selfless example of how that happens. We cannot honor these people enough.”

After the land title is transferred, the county will work on a management plan, starting with control of invasive species. Then the public will be able to visit all the mounds.

The first chance for the general public to visit the new land acquisition could be yet this year. The county also wants to get the mounds labeled so they are not desecrated in any way by people visiting the park.

Although the county has conferred with the Ho-Chunk Nation regarding other mound sites, there has yet to be any contact with the tribe regarding this latest mound acquisition. Nehmer said, however, the county welcomes any comments or suggestions the Ho-Chunk people might have.

“It was the vision of the Gramley family that this (site) be shared by the public and be protected forever,” Nehmer said.