Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-08-24
VISIT TO BLUE MOUNDS.

West Blue Mound, the principal
of the Blue Mounds, generally ad-
mitted to be the highest point of
land in Wisconsin, is situated in
Iowa county near its eastern line,
almost touching the western line of
Dane. 1t is among the most inter-
esting natural features within the
state. Its elevation above Lake
Michigan eleven hundred and sixty
five feet, and from five to six hun
dred feet above the general level of
the surrounding country. Its sum-
NIT rises four hundred and fifty feet
above the village of Blue Mounds
located a mile and quarter distant
on the east. The railroad runs
along on its south side, less than a
half mile from the highest point
afording passengers a pretty good
view as the train comes in from the
east and hurries along its south
slope.
Your correspondent, in company
with Mr.. o. o. Turhough had the
pleasure of " climbing the heights -"
some days since. We made the as
cent by team from the south side
crossing the railroad track about
mile west of the station.
This we learned was the main
road by which access to the top, by
team was gained; though compar-
atively good the proprietor informed
us the road would be greatly i'm
proved in the near future. Along
the line of road a clearance of fif-
teen or twenty rods in width was
made and corn and potatoes por-
miscuously planted in the same
with little or no cultivation, the
brush and timber only being cut
and cleared off. The crop however
showed a rich luxuriant growth
which attests the great fertility of
the soil. On reaching the summit
one is amazed with the vast extern
sive view which is afforded.
Cities and towns, church spires
and prominent dwellings may be
seen at distance of thirty and forty
miles with the naked eye. Upon a
clear cool day the dome of the
capitol at Madison, over thirty
miles distant, is plainly seen with
the unaided eye from the east end
of the mound. With the aid of
a field glass the movements of
persons in villages thirty miles a
way may be observed; the course of
the Wisconsin river can be traced
for miles.
Far off scenes of interests may
be viewed until the eyes weary of
their work and the exultant visitor
if he be a naturalist gets to work
exploring the monster hill, learning
or studying its formation, etc.
As our time is limited we can
not give but a cursory sketch of
the surroundings. Once on the
summit plat we hurried along to the
east end descending about one hun
dred feet, we are at the springs, the
water from which is said to be as
pure as that furnished by any of
the noted springs of the state
These springs are at the head of a
level plat or meadow which extends
out from a hundred to a hundred
and fifty rods and encircles the east
and north side of the mound; this
meadow produces fine quality OF
hay. After taking a draught of
the clear aqua pura from the spring
we drove along the meadow to the
north side where we found Mr.. c. B.
Arnold. the lucky possessor of this
vast eminence, with crew of men
cutting and saving hay. Mr.. Arnold
was himself moving with a scythe
patches over which it would be I'M
safe to run a mower. Mr.. Arnold
is a continual worker and does q
great amount Of hard labor. Few