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Discovering History Using Maps

Discovering History Using Maps by Paul Wolter & Beverly Vaillancourt, M.Ed design by PowerUp Design, LLC

images courtesy of the Sauk County Historical Society

Sauk County Historical Society 900 2nd Avenue PO Box 651 Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913 saukcountyhistory.org ©2023 Sauk County Historical Society Press Printed by Minutemen Press, Baraboo, WI, USA All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any means, electronic, recorded, or otherwise, without the express prior written consent of the Sauk County

Words to Know Al Behrman School

Mound Builders

artifacts

satellite

Baraboo River

settlement patterns

cartographer

topography

culture

William Canfield

curator Europe historical map Indigenous People mounds

Using Maps historical map

William Canfield cartographer

Baraboo River

Discovering History

William Canfield

Here is Canfield’s map with a current map of Baraboo placed over it. Overlaying maps allows us to see changes over time. Look very closely? What do you notice about where houses are built now compared to where they were found in 1872? What does the current map show that is not on Canfield’s 1872 map? How are the maps the same? How are they different?

Baraboo Today

Map Details Now let’s take a look at a section of Canfield’s 1872 map that shows some interesting shapes. The shapes are earthen mounds built by the Mound Builders. These were Indigenous People who lived in the area hundreds of years before people from Europe and other places settled along the Baraboo River. Using the soil to build mounds in the shapes of animals was an important part of the Mound Builders’ culture. Many of the mounds built in places across Sauk County could still be found in 1872. Today most of the mounds are gone.

Why do you think the mounds were built? Why do you think the Mound Builders lived near the Baraboo River?

Now let’s take a look at same section of Canfield’s map with a current map laid over it. Today Al Behrman School is located where some of the mounds on Canfield’s map used to be. The red shape on the map is Al Behrman School. Can you tell what is shown on today’s map and what is shown on the 1872 map? What is one question you might ask after looking at these two maps, with one on top of the other?

Using a Satellite Map Maps can be made from satellite images. Satellite images show the land’s topography, or actual buildings, plants, rivers, and other things on the land. Let’s look at the satellite image of the area around Al Behrman School with a section of Canfield’s 1872 map laid over it. The mounds are shown from the 1872 map. What is found today where the mounds were built long ago? How does a satellite image help you know more about an area?

The details on historical maps can help us learn about settlement patterns. These are places where people chose to move to and where they built their homes. They also tell us how the land may have been changed, such as the removal of the mounds. From the details on a historical map we can infer, or gain some new understanding, about what happened in the past.

Ask a Curator a Question A curator can help us learn from historical maps. A curator is a person who keeps records about artifacts, or items that are saved from the past. Artifacts include maps, papers, photos, things people wore, and things people used. The curator carefully notes the date of each artifact and makes sure it is carefully preserved so others can learn from it. The curator at the Sauk County Historical Society can help find answers to questions about Sauk County history. Do you have a quesiton about something you see on Canfield’s 1872 map? You can contact the Sauk County Historical Society curator by emailing curator@saukcountyhistory.org. 7

Historic maps can give us clues to the past. Sometimes places originally have a different name. On this map from 1859, the Town of New Buffalo was along the Wisconsin River in the northeastern part of Sauk County. Today this is called the Town of Delton. Why do you think it was originally named New Buffalo?

Not all maps were drawn as if looking straight down. Bird’s eye maps were drawn to look like how a bird might see a village or city. This 1874 bird’s eye drawing of Reedsburg shows the streets, buildings, and other important landmarks that existed then. Can you find the railroad tracks?

Special maps called Sanborn Maps show the buildings in a village or city at a certain time. This Sanborn map of Spring Green from 1899 shows the downtown and the railyard. Can you find the lumber yards along the railroad tracks? Why was lumber important?

Plat maps are a special type of map that show the names of rural property owners on each piece of land that they own. This plat map from 1906 shows landowners in the Town of Prairie du Sac. Can you find the villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City? What river is shown on the map?

Think about It

1. Turn to My History Journal at the end of this book. 2. Choose 5 Words to Know. Write their definitions. 3. Write one sentences about William Canfield’s 1872 map. (page 7) 4. Write one sentence explaining what a curator does. 5. What is the most interesting thing you found on Canfield’s 1872 map? 6. What is something you can see on a satellite image that may not show on a historical map?

Projects • Find out more about William Canfield. Present what you learn to the class. • Find a historical map to share with others. Point out details you found. • Use a current map of where you live. Find your street. Draw your house and other things found near where you live on the map. Share your map with others. • Study Canfield’s 1872 map. An oxbow is a place in the river that makes a sharp curve. Find the oxbows. What else do you find there? • Today in Baraboo you can take a walk on the Riverwalk. This is a hiking path that is found along the Baraboo River in the City of Baraboo. Learn more about the Riverwalk and what you will find if you walk the entire path. You can easily find the Riverwalk near the parking lot of Oschner Park and Zoo. • Think up a project of your own about Canfield’s map. What can you do to help others learn more about Canfield’s 1872 map?

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Sauk County, Wisconsin

Google Maps

Discovering History: Using Maps