Baraboo, Dells, and Devil's
Lake Region
With Maps and Illustrations
By H. E. COLE
Baraboo. Wisconsin.
Baraboo News Publishing Company.
Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Copyright 1920.
MAP OF THE INTERESTING BARABOO REGION.[Click map for larger view.]
Foreword
The following pages are intended to give but a faint hint of thegeology, archeology, history and scenic beauty of the Baraboo, Dells,and Devil's Lake region. If they add, even in a slight degree, to thepleasure of those who love the out-of-doors, and encourage the localresident as well as the visitor to inform himself concerning thenumberless interesting and fascinating features of our countryside, theobject for which they were written will have been accomplished.
As to geology, this is a rare field for the student. The igneous rocks,the various formations resting upon them, the drift covered anddriftless areas, and the work of erosion through long periods of timehave combined to make the region one to which many students areattracted annually.
The Indian earthworks, the village sites, and other relics of a racewhich once found delight in dwelling here, furnish a rich territory forthose interested in the American aborigine.
As to local history, the annals of the white man reach back to 1673when the first river voyagers went down the Wisconsin. The interestingstory is continuous from the days when the region was on the outer rimof civilization to the present time.
Above all is this section rich in natural beauty. The hills and thenumerous lakes and rivers have for years attracted tourists from everypoint of the compass. California and other localities boast greaterelevations, larger lakes and more prominent streams, but for uniquebeauty there are few spots in this country that possess the attractionof the Dells, Mirror Lake, Devil's Lake, and the Baraboo Hills.
In the preparation of these pages valuable assistance in the making ofthe maps has been given by City Engineer H. E. French of Baraboo andConsulting Engineer W. G. Kirchoffer of Madison. To O. D. Brandenburg,editor of the Madison Democrat, Dr. M. M. Quaife and Miss Louise PhelpsKellogg of the staff of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin,Charles E. Brown, secretary of the Wisconsin Archeological Society, andothers the writer is also deeply indebted.
June 1, 1920.