Grades PK-12
“Kingsley Bend Mound Group” by Jeff the quiet, under license CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication, from Wikimedia Commons.
Website
Details
Last updated on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Please use the contact information below for the most up to date information.
Category:Archeological site
Audience:Grades PK-12
Cost:Free
Address
State Highway 16Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
About
Overlooking the Wisconsin River in south-central Wisconsin, the well preserved and maintained Kingsley Bend mound group is owned and managed by the Ho-Chunk Nation. These mounds formerly were preserved within a Wisconsin Department of Transportation wayside along State Highway 16, but were transferred to the care of the Ho-Chunk Nation in 2006. The Ho-Chunk view these mounds, as all mounds, as an important cultural and sacred place but welcome respectful visitation.
The mounds extend down the slopes of a hill to the Wisconsin River, bordered on the south by a spring-fed creek. A huge, classic, water spirit mound that is oriented towards nearby springs, and long linear mounds are located next to the parking area, while a line of large conical mounds, two bear effigies, and a short linear occupy the bluff top overlooking the Wisconsin River. A large eagle-like bird effigy and a long straight tapering linear mound sometimes interpreted as a snake are situated on the opposite side of Hwy 16, and are not as easily visited.
