Wisconsin Dells & Baraboo, WI

Wisconsin Dells - The city takes its name from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River. Together with the nearby village of Lake Delton, the city forms an area known as "the Dells", a popular Midwestern tourist destination.

Wisconsin Dells was founded as Kilbourn City in 1857 by Byron Kilbourn. Before the establishment of Kilbourn City, the region around the dells of the Wisconsin River was primarily a lumbering area until 1851, when the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad was chartered, with Kilbourn as its president. The railroad made plans to bridge the Wisconsin River near the river's dells, and a boomtown named Newport sprang up at the expected site of the bridge in 1853. The population of this new city quickly swelled to over 2,000, but when the railroad finally came through the area in 1857 it took nearly everyone by surprise by crossing the river a mile upstream from the site of Newport. As a result, Newport was rapidly turned into a ghost town as the settlers flocked to the new city at the site of the railroad bridge, Kilbourn City. The land at the point of crossing was originally owned by Parley Eaton. Byron Kilbourn bought the land from Eaton for a reduced price as everyone expected the railroad to cross at Newport. However, Kilbourn then went to Madison and lobbied the state to allow for the railroad right-of-way to be moved to cross at the point where he owned the land and greatly increased its value.

We did a tour on both the Upper and Lower Dells portion of the Wisconsin River.  River is too shallow both up and down stream of tour parts for boats.  Limestone walls lines the river edges.

Ghost cave!

Mushroom Rock

History says there was an Native American Tradition to jump from main rock to the mushroom rock.  Well today the tradition is a German Shepard making the leap.  

Multi colored limestone, beautiful. 

Indian Head!

Dam that separates the Upper from the lower Dells.  Before the dam was built lumber was floated down the river.  It took special skill the navigate through this area.

Because the sandstone is so soft vegetation grows easy with its roots going through the material. 

Yes there is a house on the right, terrible view from the picture window!!!

These two rocks are within a few degrees of pointing directly N/S & E/W.

It is hard to believe that the Ringling Brothers started in Baraboo, WI just south of the Dells.  Their father was a master harness maker and came to the area to support the farmers and industry needs.

Al, Otto, Alf T, Charles & John Ringling began their circus dreams on May 19, 1884 with a small tent, 3 horses, a hyena, & troupe of 21.  Less than a quarter century later they absorbed Barnum & Bailey and post WWI they merged.  Each brother had their area of expertise and they had no formal partnership paperwork, they shared equally of the profits.   

The museum is very well done showing the family history along with numerous circus items. 

August Rungeling (1826-1898) and his family.  Married in 1852 and raised 8 children, of which five of the boys would form Ringling Bros Circus.  The family name was changed to Ringling when they were married.

Admission allows you to see many different acts and the grounds. This young lady is about to "Slide for Life" across the Baraboo River.

Also had a One Ring show. 

Original barns still stand where animals were housed.