WOODFORD - A dedication ceremony for the state historical marker commemorating the Pecatonica Battlefield will be held Sunday, June 16, hosted by The Friends of Woodford Park at Black Hawk Memorial Park, 2995 County Road Y.
At 11 a.m., a fundraiser will begin and food will be available for purchase. The dedication ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The Park has long been known as the site of the Battle of the Pecatonica, or the Battle of Bloody Lake. On June 16, 1832, on the eastern bank of the lake, a small, but decisive battle or skirmish took place that changed the nature of the Black Hawk War. Henry Dodge successfully led militia in following a group of Native Americans to the area after an attack on settlers. When they rose up against the militia, Henry Dodge led his men in defeating and killing all the Indians, with only a few militia casualties.
The skirmish, while making Dodge a notable figure in Wisconsin, was noted as the first success of the war and galvanized the settlers to continue the fight to move the Indians permanently across the Mississippi River. Once that was completed, southern Wisconsin was open to vast settlement.
In 2011, the Pecatonica Battlefield was listed on both the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. Recognition was based on the fact that the battle established Henry Dodge's career in the military, and lead to his election as governor of Wisconsin.
At 11 a.m., a fundraiser will begin and food will be available for purchase. The dedication ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The Park has long been known as the site of the Battle of the Pecatonica, or the Battle of Bloody Lake. On June 16, 1832, on the eastern bank of the lake, a small, but decisive battle or skirmish took place that changed the nature of the Black Hawk War. Henry Dodge successfully led militia in following a group of Native Americans to the area after an attack on settlers. When they rose up against the militia, Henry Dodge led his men in defeating and killing all the Indians, with only a few militia casualties.
The skirmish, while making Dodge a notable figure in Wisconsin, was noted as the first success of the war and galvanized the settlers to continue the fight to move the Indians permanently across the Mississippi River. Once that was completed, southern Wisconsin was open to vast settlement.
In 2011, the Pecatonica Battlefield was listed on both the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. Recognition was based on the fact that the battle established Henry Dodge's career in the military, and lead to his election as governor of Wisconsin.