John S. Garman Nature Preserve - Waterloo, WI
In the northwest corner of Jefferson County, in the City of Waterloo, you will find both history and beauty. Dr. J.S. Garman Nature Preserve is 46 acres of woodland, walking trails, and sacred Native American burial mounds. As you walk the grounds you will pass oak, hickory, cherry, and maple trees. Some pines and spruce trees are scattered throughout as well. Some of the native plants and wildflowers along the trails are Mayapple, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Geranium, Violets, Canada Anemones, Lady Fern, and the rare, protected Yellow Giant Hyssop. On our walk in late summer, we viewed Joe Pye Weed, Spotted Touch-Me-Not, Woodland Sunflower, and Blue Cohosh.
The scenic, glacier-made hills climb upwards, toward the top for a view of the 22 conical burial mounds that line up alongside the walking trail. These sacred mounds were built by ancestors of the Hocak (Ho-Chunk) tribe. Typically round and dome shaped, they are usually about 10-20 feet across, and vary from 2-8 feet in height. The time frame of the mounds can be traced back to between A.D. 550 and A.D. 800.
More recent history references a Fox Farm that existed on the property in the 1950's. Theo and John Garman purchased the property in 1972.
Their intent was to build their retirement home on the land, but when the burial mounds were discovered, that plan changed. Theo Garman donated the land to Jefferson County in 2003, as a memorial to her late husband, Dr. J.S. Garman. A large stone monument was placed at the entrance to the preserve in his honor. A condition of the donation of the land as a nature preserve is that it will be protected for generations to come.
As the preserve was developed, a detailed Indian Mound Management Plan was developed in conjunction with the Jefferson County Parks Department, the Ho-Chunk Nation, and archaeologists and anthropologists from UW-Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Historical Society, with the goal of maintaining the integrity of the mounds, and to provide visitors with information on their history and importance.
It was decided to incorporate original Native American artwork into the signage placed throughout the preserve, particularly at the entrance, and in the area of the burial mounds. Wisconsin Hocak artist Christopher Sweet was brought on to create the artwork, which beautifully tells the story of the tribes that originally lived on the land. The artwork was unveiled at the preserve at a special event and guided tour on May 22, 2021.
Features at the preserve include nearly two miles of trails, suitable for hiking, bird watching, and snowshoeing. Viewing of 22 Native American burial mounds at the top most area of the hill, a covered picnic shelter, restroom, and parking lot. Benches are stationed throughout, along the trail routes. Some of the trails can be a bit steep and rocky, but are definitely manageable. I took along a walking stick, and it came in handy at a few of the steepest spots.
The preserve is open daily from 6:30am to 7pm
Location: 701 Fox Lane, Waterloo, WI (Jefferson County)
For more information, click here. A Trail Map can be found here.
The scenic, glacier-made hills climb upwards, toward the top for a view of the 22 conical burial mounds that line up alongside the walking trail. These sacred mounds were built by ancestors of the Hocak (Ho-Chunk) tribe. Typically round and dome shaped, they are usually about 10-20 feet across, and vary from 2-8 feet in height. The time frame of the mounds can be traced back to between A.D. 550 and A.D. 800.
More recent history references a Fox Farm that existed on the property in the 1950's. Theo and John Garman purchased the property in 1972.
Their intent was to build their retirement home on the land, but when the burial mounds were discovered, that plan changed. Theo Garman donated the land to Jefferson County in 2003, as a memorial to her late husband, Dr. J.S. Garman. A large stone monument was placed at the entrance to the preserve in his honor. A condition of the donation of the land as a nature preserve is that it will be protected for generations to come.
As the preserve was developed, a detailed Indian Mound Management Plan was developed in conjunction with the Jefferson County Parks Department, the Ho-Chunk Nation, and archaeologists and anthropologists from UW-Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Historical Society, with the goal of maintaining the integrity of the mounds, and to provide visitors with information on their history and importance.
It was decided to incorporate original Native American artwork into the signage placed throughout the preserve, particularly at the entrance, and in the area of the burial mounds. Wisconsin Hocak artist Christopher Sweet was brought on to create the artwork, which beautifully tells the story of the tribes that originally lived on the land. The artwork was unveiled at the preserve at a special event and guided tour on May 22, 2021.
Features at the preserve include nearly two miles of trails, suitable for hiking, bird watching, and snowshoeing. Viewing of 22 Native American burial mounds at the top most area of the hill, a covered picnic shelter, restroom, and parking lot. Benches are stationed throughout, along the trail routes. Some of the trails can be a bit steep and rocky, but are definitely manageable. I took along a walking stick, and it came in handy at a few of the steepest spots.
The preserve is open daily from 6:30am to 7pm
Location: 701 Fox Lane, Waterloo, WI (Jefferson County)
For more information, click here. A Trail Map can be found here.
ORIGINAL DISPLAY ARTWORK BY CHRISTOPHER SWEET
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All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2023 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
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