La Pointe Indian Cemetery
a.k.a. Old LaPointe Indian Burial Grounds
S. Old Main St., La Pointe, WIThe LaPointe Indian Cemetery was established in 1836 as part of a Catholic mission which was built on Madeline Island in 1835. Father Frederic Baraga, a missionary priest who arrived on the Island in 1835, ordered the creation of the cemetery at a location approximately one hundred feet north of the mission. The mission was completely destroyed by fire in 1901 after having been rebuilt in previous years.
The cemetery received burials from 1836 through 1948. In the latter year, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians authorized the last burial in order to grant Mrs. Julia Newago's wish that she be buried near her husband. After about 1910 very few burials in the cemetery occurred due to lack of space. Future burials there are not expected.
Only Catholics are buried in the cemetery due to their religious affiliation; however, no explanation has been found for the fact that only people having at least some Indian blood are buried there.
The LaPointe Indian Cemetery is unique in Wisconsin and is thought to be the only cemetery with a significant number of original grave houses in the nation. The cemetery is a rare example of an organized burial ground of the time of the Chippewa transition to Christianity. It appears to be the oldest and most significant identifiable cemetery with direct ties to the settlement of the northern great lakes area.
Madeline Island was probably discovered in 1618 by Champlain, who must have encountered Chippewa Indians who had inhabited the Island since about 1490. Around 1620 the Chippewas evidently left the island due to superstitions but returned in 1671 to find the Island being settled by the French.
From the settlement of Madeline Island until January 1973, the cemetery was controlled by the Catholic Church. In 1973, the Diocese of Superior gave the property to the United States to be held in trust for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The cemetery is now in the jurisdiction of the Great Lakes Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Ashland, Wisconsin, and is governed by the Bad River Tribal Council.
The LaPointe Indian Cemetery has gained historic significance over the years by serving as a link between the present and past people and events. The cemetery, through tombstone inscriptions, relates the circumstances of birth, life, culture, and death of people important in the past development and history of northern Wisconsin and surrounding regions.
In the cemetery lie the remains of early explorers and settlers, and Indian Chiefs and leaders whose past deeds still influence current events of the region through treaties signed generations ago.
The cemetery contains the remains of Michel Cadotte, one of the most significant settlers and businessmen of the area; and those of Chief Great Buffalo, a principal chief of the Chippewas.
Local significance of the site:
The cemetery received burials from 1836 through 1948. In the latter year, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians authorized the last burial in order to grant Mrs. Julia Newago's wish that she be buried near her husband. After about 1910 very few burials in the cemetery occurred due to lack of space. Future burials there are not expected.
Only Catholics are buried in the cemetery due to their religious affiliation; however, no explanation has been found for the fact that only people having at least some Indian blood are buried there.
The LaPointe Indian Cemetery is unique in Wisconsin and is thought to be the only cemetery with a significant number of original grave houses in the nation. The cemetery is a rare example of an organized burial ground of the time of the Chippewa transition to Christianity. It appears to be the oldest and most significant identifiable cemetery with direct ties to the settlement of the northern great lakes area.
Madeline Island was probably discovered in 1618 by Champlain, who must have encountered Chippewa Indians who had inhabited the Island since about 1490. Around 1620 the Chippewas evidently left the island due to superstitions but returned in 1671 to find the Island being settled by the French.
From the settlement of Madeline Island until January 1973, the cemetery was controlled by the Catholic Church. In 1973, the Diocese of Superior gave the property to the United States to be held in trust for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The cemetery is now in the jurisdiction of the Great Lakes Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Ashland, Wisconsin, and is governed by the Bad River Tribal Council.
The LaPointe Indian Cemetery has gained historic significance over the years by serving as a link between the present and past people and events. The cemetery, through tombstone inscriptions, relates the circumstances of birth, life, culture, and death of people important in the past development and history of northern Wisconsin and surrounding regions.
In the cemetery lie the remains of early explorers and settlers, and Indian Chiefs and leaders whose past deeds still influence current events of the region through treaties signed generations ago.
The cemetery contains the remains of Michel Cadotte, one of the most significant settlers and businessmen of the area; and those of Chief Great Buffalo, a principal chief of the Chippewas.
Historic - Aboriginal; Exploration/settlement; Religion; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The ice cream sundae was reportedly invented in Two Rivers, Wisconsin in the late 1800s. The town still celebrates the invention of the sundae with an annual festival.
About Ashland County
Ashland County Timeline
Ashland County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Native American tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the late 17th century, with French fur traders and missionaries establishing a presence in the region. The area was heavily involved in the fur trade, with trappers and traders using the nearby waterways to transport goods.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
Ashland County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ashland County, Wisconsin.
- 1860: Ashland County is created by the Wisconsin State Legislature
- 1870: Ashland becomes the county seat
- 1870s: Logging and sawmills drive the local economy
- 1883: The Wisconsin Central Railroad reaches Ashland
- 1894: Ashland experiences a devastating fire that destroys most of the city
- 1900: The population of Ashland County reaches its peak
- 1920s: The decline of the lumber industry leads to a shift in the local economy towards tourism and agriculture
- 1940s: Ashland County contributes to the war effort during World War II
- 1970s: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is established, boosting tourism in the area
- 1990s: The population of Ashland County begins to decline