Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1920-02-05
PART v.
The Wisconsin River DeiIs

| than the Wisconsin River Delis. Esacn
passing year thousands of persons re-
vel Sin the charm of this region, often
remaining throughout the summers en-
joying the hospitality OF the city Of
Kilbourn, which is picturesquely To-
Gated on the bank Of the river Here
| the stream has cut a great gorge
through the sandstone rocks leaving
wonderful castellated crags standing
high on either side and fascinating
inches below through which the wa
ter bubbles and boils in caldrons Of
solid rock. Shaded pathways invite
the visitor to explore fern-hung nooFs
that hold especial interest for the bot
anist and the vari- -colored sands and
rocks possess unusual attractions for
those interested in unique geological
formations.
The Way From Baraboo
From Baraboo to the Dells, the
way is over Trunk Line No. II. The
road first climbs the north range OF
the Baraboo Bluffs, then crosses Web
ster's Prairie, the terminal moraine,
relic of the ice epoch, forming the
skyline along the way, less than q
mile to the east. This extensive
prairie. a veritable flower garden8jn
the days before the first plow share
disturbed the soil, is the outwash
from wall of glacial ice that, during
the ice epoch, extended for miles in
northerly and southerly direction near
the site of the present highway. j
is now the center of prosperous rur-
al community.
The Marshall Farn,
Some eight or nine miles distant
from Baraboo, shortly before the rpad
turns to the left, an interesting old
home is seen. This is The Ell1ss, khe
home of the Marshall family early
residents OF the Prairie. The lssssss.
which once included 1,476 acres, y
owned by Judge r. d. Marshall OF
Madison, for many years "a member
of the supreme court OF the state,
The acreage has been somewhat re
uuCGu III lCCC1lC =
From the Marshall farm the road
pursues a winding way, crossing Dell
Creek and passing through the seques-
tered village of Delton where it turns
abruptly to the right following an
almost continuous avenue of pines
into Kibourn.
The De'is
The way to see the Dells is by boat.
Throughout the entire length of the
narrow passage a fanciful nomencla-
ture adds to the romantic character
of the objedts and places. Before
the great dam was built at Kilbourn
number of peculiarly interesting
points, now buried by the whirling
waters, were exposed to view The er-
ection of the dam, although distroy
ing these particular features. has add
ed to the uniqueness of others, re-
sulting as a whole in increased at
tractiveness for the Dells.
The points Of interest usually called
to the attention of visitors by the
guides follow:
Angel Rock on the right is a rug
ged projection, curiously shaped. The
Imagination will easily transform this
lofty crag into huge angel with out
spread wings. It is sometimes called
Marble Rock, from the rounded sand
stone pebbles on the ledge and in the
river.
The Swallows Home is where the
swallows live. During the nesting
season thousands of these birds may
be seen occupying innumerable holes
in the side of the cliff.
The Jaws of the Dells, the entrance
proper, are guarded by High Rock
and Romance Cliff, two immense
rocks standing as sentinals to the
waterway.
Chimney Rock is one of natures
freaks, resembling stick and mortar
chimney of pioneer times. 1t was
fashioned by the waters as they cut
this wonderful gorge.
Echo cove is submerged
Black Hawks Head is another
curious result Of erosion
Nothing but the site is left of the
ancient and weathered Dell House,
once a wild, rambling old rookery. :"
1t was the first frame house built on
the river above Portage, erected in
1837-38 by Robert v. Allen and used
for many years as a tavern. Here
the riyermen recounted their thrill
| ing experiences in plotting their RATS
through the Dells and told of the
days in the pineries of pioneer Wis
consin.
Chapel Gorge is beautifully, shaped
glen on the right, named for peculiar
lily shaped rock at the entrance.
| Boat Cave is submerged.
Circle Bend is a half-circle in the
river, the cliff Of solid masonry form
ed of rocks high and bold.
| Sturgeon Rock resembles the fish by