The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-04
WISCONSIN'S NATURAL BRIDGE.
A Gigantic Archway in the Wilderness of
the State Which Few Have Seen.

the State Which Few Have Seen.
Few people know that Wisconsin
possesses natural bridge, with near
ly, if not quite, as much attractivenesa
as the one in Virginia, made famous
by the visits Of George Washington.
The Badger bridge is located in the
town of Honey Creek, about twenty
miles from Milwaukee. and eight miles
east of Prairie du Sac. The bridge is in
fact only gigantic archway detached
from the face Of q rocky bluff facing
the Wisconsin river, by the action of
the elements, but rs a natural curios-
ity has only local reputation so far.
Few visitors except from the imme-
date vicinity have ever taken the trou-
BILE to make trip in this direction,
probably because this part of Sank
county was, until recent years, cut off
from railroads, and not easy Of access.
Even now it requires considerable
pluck to endure the long ride through
the sands Of the Wisconsin river bot
toms, which lie between the old prairie
OF the Sac Indians and the bluff. One
is amply repaid for visit by the at
Effectiveness of the place.
A devious route through farmers
plowed field is trod by guide in
reaching the face of the cliff where is
found the bridge. It is not until
within short distance of the bluff
that the archway can be seen because
OF the timber and underbrush partial
ly concealing it.
Upon stepping between the bluff
and the arch the immenseness of the
task which nature has accomplished is
apparent. The under part of the arch
is about fifty feet above the floor in
the highest part, and varies from that
down to about thirty feet, where it
Joins the supporting rocks. The span
IS from ten to twenty-five feet thick,
and about fifteen feet wide. The
pathway across the top is a triAe over
three feet wide in its narrowest place,
and cool head is needed to make the
passage over the span. The person
standing upon the top of the span is
probably 100 feet above the average
level of the surrounding country, and
the scene spread before him is ons of
rural Wisconsin scenery unsurpassed.
Although the country has been settled
tor many years, yet the ruggedness of
the scene seems hardly diminished by
the hand Of man in his efforts to con-
quer the soil and make for himself a
home in these romantic surroundings.
Except for the occasional loghouse.
or, rarely, it's frame successor, the
place would seem as though in its
original condition, so completely hid
den from view by tangled underbrush
and heavy woods are the titled lands
of the husbandmau.
About the base of the archway are
signs of human visitations, and the
visitor learns that here the people of
the surrounding country come to cell
citrate the Fourth Of July, and the re-
mains OF rustic booths, broken beer |
glass or two, and other signs of past |
pleasures are noted. Underneath the
floor of the arch is huge cavern
seven feet high, twenty-five feet deep,
and from 80 to so feet long, created |
by the action Of the water rushing
down the face Of the hill, and
under the archway after heavy rain.
This cavern makes natural beer cell
ar, which the inhabitants of the re.
3ion, nearly all of whom are Germans.
Utilize as barroom upon the occasion
If the celebration referred to.
the Wisconsin natural bridge is
worth travelling miles to see.