PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE REMAINS OF THE 



CHIPPEWA SETTLEMENTS ON LA POINTE 



ISLAND, WISCONSIN 



By PHILIP AINSWORTH MEANS 



HONORARY COLLABORATOR IN ARCHEOLOGY, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



INTRODUCTION 



In August, 1916, on the advice of Dr. Hrdlicka, I visited La Pointe 

 Island (now commonly called Madeline) with the intention of con- 

 ducting archeological investigations on the site of the Ojibwa village 

 on that island. For reasons which I shall touch upon in the body of 

 this report it was impossible for me to do what I intended at that 

 time. I spent, however, several days going over the site, consulting 

 those who were best acquainted with the local history of the Ojibwa, 

 and planning for future work. 



While in the Chequamegon Bay region I received much kindness 

 and help, for which I wish to tender grateful acknowledgment, from 

 Mr. Clark, proprietor of the Knight Hotel in Ashland ; from Mr. C. 

 N. Cramer of Ashland; from the JMessrs. Salmon of the " Old Mis- 

 sion," Madeline Island ; from Mr. William C. Stone of Watertown, 

 Wisconsin, and from Mr. G. F. Thomas of La Pointe. 



LOCATION OF LA POINTE OR MADELINE ISLAND 



The island is one of the archipelago known as the Apostle Islands, 

 in Lake Superior. On the north and east the archipelago is bounded 

 by the open waters of the Lake ; on the west lies the Bayfield penin- 

 sula ; on the south stretches Chequamegon Bay, on the southern shore 

 of which is the city of Ashland. La Pointe Island lies toward the 

 southern extremity of the group of islands. Its main axis runs 

 from southwest to northeast. In length the island is about twelve 

 miles, and approximately three miles in breadth. The major part of 

 it is covered with old forest ; the remainder is taken up by farms and 

 summer resorts. 



FIRST INHABITANTS OF LA POINTE ISLAND 



We do not know who were the earhest inhabitants of La Pointe 

 Island. The Chippewa have occupied it since 1490. A mound which 

 may have been made by their predecessors exists in the thick, swampy 

 woods east of the Old Mission. It is said to be rather small, made 



Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. 66, No. 14 



