Point Basse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Point Basse
Historic Village
Original land survey map (1851).
Point Basse Location in Wisconsin

Point Basse was once a very important place in Wisconsin. It refers to two things. First, it was a sharp bend in the Wisconsin River near where Nekoosa, Wisconsin is today. Second, it was a historic village that used to exist close to that bend. People also spelled its name as Pointe Basse, Point Bas, or Point Boss. The Ojibwe people had their own name for the village on the west side of the river: Bangahjewung. Today, there is no place called Point Basse on maps.

What Was Point Basse?

Point Basse was special because it was the first place travelers going upstream on the Wisconsin River would find rapids. Rapids are fast-moving, rocky parts of a river. This made it a great spot to build mills that used the river's power.

Where Was Point Basse Located?

The village was built where the river was shallow enough to cross. People could cross with a team of horses and a wagon when the water was low. In winter, the ice was often strong enough to cross safely. This crossing was near where Wakely Road is now. A man named Wakely owned a tavern there in the 1830s and 1840s. The actual "point" or sharp bend in the river was about two miles upstream from this crossing.

Why Was Point Basse Important?

For a short time, Point Basse became a very busy place. It was a major meeting point for roads, especially the one leading to the pineries. Pineries were areas with lots of pine trees, important for the lumber industry.

A Crossroads and River Crossing

Point Basse was like a central hub. Roads from different areas met there. This made it a key spot for trade and travel. Its river crossing was also very useful for people and goods moving across the region.

The Cedar Point Treaty

In 1836, an important agreement called the Cedar Point Treaty was signed. The Menominee people gave a strip of land to the United States government. This land was three miles wide on each side of the Wisconsin River. It started at Point Basse and went all the way to Big Bull Falls, which is now Wausau, Wisconsin.

Lumber Industry Hub

After the land was given to the government, many mills were built along this river strip. These mills quickly became the heart of Wisconsin's lumber industry. They used the river's power to cut logs into lumber. Point Basse played a big role in the early days of this important industry.