NOTABLE MOUND GROUPS IN AND NEAR THE PRO- 
POSED GOVERNMENT PARK AT McGREGOR, IOWA. 
ELLISON ORR. 
Something over a year ago a move was started to ask Con- 
gress to set aside a tract of land lying along the Mississippi 
river south of McGregor in Clayton county of this state, and 
directly opposite the mouth of the Wisconsin river, as a National 
Forest Preserve or park. 
Among the reasons given were that it is a region of great 
natural beauty. The broad river with its channels, lakes and 
islands, hemmed in on either side by mountainous wooded bluffs, 
make scenery that in all seasons and all weathers is surpassing 
fair. 
It would preserve and make accessible to the people of the 
northern Mississippi River Valley a pleasure ground- differing 
from any other in the country and surpassed in restful beauty 
by none. 
It is a spot of great historical interest. Just across the river 
is Prairie Du Chien, settled by the French in 1737 and for years 
an outpost of civilization. It was the first land in Iowa seen by 
Father Marquette. The high point below the Pictured Rocks 
was recommended by Lieutenant Zebulon Pike in his report of 
his “Exploratory Expedition” as a suitable place for a fort. 
In connection with Joliet Wisconsin State Park it would make 
an ideal summer bird preserve for waterfowl and the shy wood- 
land birds. 
As considerable land now in cultivation would be included, 
there would be abundant opportunity for experimental forestry 
with a view to solving forestry problems peculiar to this section 
of the country. 
The numerous and fast disappearing aboriginal earthworks 
which are found along the bluff tops would be preserved from 
obliteration by cultivation which seems to be the fate awaiting 
them unless government or state aid is invoked for their pro- 
tection. 
