Indian Mounds Park (Whitewater, Wisconsin) facts for kids
The Whitewater Effigy Mounds Preserve is a special park in Whitewater, Wisconsin. People also call it The Indian Mounds Park. This park is 21.5 acres big and is on the west side of the city. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 because of its important history.
What Are Effigy Mounds?
The Whitewater Effigy Mounds Preserve is a very old Native American site. It was used for ceremonies and burials a long, long time ago, between 200 and 1000 A.D. The park has many special mounds shaped like animals and geometric designs. These are called effigy mounds.
Long ago, there was a village here. It had about 30 round huts where the mound builders lived. Today, 12 (or maybe 13) of these amazing mounds are still here. The park is still used for Native American ceremonies like pow-wows. You can visit the Effigy Mounds Park for free every day.
A Look Back at the Park's History
The Potawatomi people lived in this area a long time ago. They settled near the Whitewater River, which is now called Whitewater Creek. The river got its name from the white clay and sand found there.
Later, a new road was planned that would have gone right through the mounds. But a group of local people worked hard to save them. They convinced the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to protect these important historical sites. Because of their efforts, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This helps make sure the mounds are preserved for the future.
Keeping the Park Healthy
Over time, people have worked to make the park look like it did long ago. They have removed plants that don't belong there. This helps the park return to its original state, which was like an oak savanna. An oak savanna is a type of grassland with scattered oak trees.
There are also plans to make the park even bigger. This would add more woodlands and wetlands. It would also create space for a playground, a playfield, and walking trails. This expansion would help protect the existing mounds even more.
