Sheboygan Indian Mound Park: A Window into Sheboygan County’s Prehistoric Past

Sheboygan Indian Mound Park, a truly ancient historical site, preserves burial and effigy mounds created by Native Americans between approximately 500 and 750 A.D. This 15-acre park, located in the Town of Wilson just outside the city of Sheboygan, is home to eighteen earthen mounds, which include a variety of shapes, such as linear mounds and an effigy mound in the form of a panther or water spirit. These mounds were built by a Woodland-period culture as sacred burial sites, and they offer a glimpse into the region’s distant past.

Preserving Ancient History

By the early 20th century, many Native American mounds across Wisconsin had been destroyed due to farming and other development. However, a dedicated group of local citizens, led by Julilly Kohler in the 1960s, worked to preserve the Sheboygan Indian Mound site. Thanks to their efforts, the site was saved and officially opened as Sheboygan Indian Mound Park in 1966. The park is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Exploring the Mounds

Visitors to the park can walk along a wooded trail that leads through the mounds, offering a peaceful and reflective environment. Informational signage along the trail provides context for the mounds and their historical significance. While much about the original mound builders remains a mystery, the park serves as a unique cultural landmark that connects present-day Sheboygan County to its prehistoric past.

The Sheboygan Indian Mound Park stands as a testament to the long history of the land, offering visitors the chance to learn about and honor the Native American cultures that once thrived in the region.