Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1898-08-03
"A. WISCONSIN WONDER.
Gigantic Natural Bridge Hidden In the

Gigantic Natural Bridge Hidden In tE,
Wilderness of the State.
! Few people know that Wisconsin
possesses a natural bridge, with
nearly If not quite as much attract.
lveness as the one in Virginia made
famous by the visits of George
Washington. The Badger bridge is
locatedin the town of Honey Creek,
about 20 miles from this city and s
miles east of Prairie du Sac. The
bridge is, in fact, only a gigantic
archway detached from the face of
a rocky bluff facing the Wisconsin
river by the action of the elements.
but as natural curiosity has only a
local reputation SO far. Few visitors
except from the immediate vicinity
have ever taken. the trouble to make
a trip in this direction, probably be.
cause this part of Sank county was.
until recent years, cut off from rail
roads and not easy of access. Even
now 1T requires considerable pluck
to endure the long ride through the
sands OF the Wisconsin river bottoms
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 trodden by a guide
in reaching the face of the cliff
where is found the bridge. It is net
until within short distance of the
bluff that the archway can be seen
because of the timber and under
brush partially conoealing 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 SO feet. above the floor
in the highest part and varies from
that down to about 80 feet where it
joins the supporting rocks. The span
is from 10 to 25 feet thick and about ,
10 feet wide. The pathway across the
top Is trif1e over three feet wide in
It's 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 one of rural
wisconsin scenery unsurpassed. AL
;hough the country has been settled
or or many years, yet the ruggedness
u the scene seems hardly diminish
I'd by the hand of man in his efforts
O conquer the soil and make for
himself home in these romantic
surroundings. Except for, the occa-
lonallog house, OF, rarely, its frame
the place would seem as
hough in its original condition, so
hidden from view bv
angled underbrush and heavy !
foods are the titled lands of the
s
About the base of the archway
re signs of human visitations, and I
be visitor learns that here the peo- |
lie Of the surrounding country come f
, celebrate the Fourth of July, and ! |
be remains of rustic booths, bro
en- beer glass or two and other |
igns of past pleasures are noted. t
Underneath the floor of the arch is t
huge cavern feet high, % feet t
eep and from 80 to SO feet long, f
reated by the action of the water G
lshing down the face of the hill
nd under the archway after a heavy f
ain. This cavern makes natural c
eer cellar, which the inhabitants of Q
le region, nearly all of whom are b
ermans, utilize as barroom upon c
le occasion of the celebration refer |,
ID to. t
The Wisconsin natural bridge is v
worth travelling miles to
se.-Milwaukee Sentinel. t,