20 
I ' A A K A i\ D C E M ET E R > 
secure the Dalles of the St. Croix, how 
much more reason there was for tak- 
ing the Dells of the Wisconsin. 
Indeed, a vote either of the people at 
large or of park experts could hardly 
fail to pronounce in favor of the Dells, 
as Wisconsin's most characteristic and 
precious pos.session in the form of nat- 
ural scenery. They are unique. For 
picturesqueness, romantic scenery, for 
alternative suggestions of mystery and 
majesty, the Wisconsin River scenery 
at the Dells is seldom surpassed. The 
features of interest are numerous and 
feet above the present level, it is not 
easy to say. Will there be sufficient 
beauty and interest remaining to war- 
rant the State in making it one of the 
permanent pleasure grounds of the peo- 
ple? It is hard to answer this question 
with confidence and, in view of the un- 
certainty as to what will remain, as 
well as its cost, it would probably be 
wiser to postpone definite action on the 
Dells, taking steps, however, to pre- 
vent further damage. When the Wis- 
consin Power Company finishes its 
dam at Kilbourn and the level of the 
railroad, the quarries, and the scars of 
commonplace summer cottages — Devil’s 
Lake meets all the requirements of a 
State Park. The lake itself, half a mile 
wide and more than a mile in length, is 
a gem, a characteristic example of Wis- 
consin’s natural possessions. The bluffs 
rise impressively from the shores of the 
lake and afford broad and beautiful 
views of the Baraboo valley, the refresh- 
ing and soul-renewing value of which 
cannot be easily over-estimated. The 
romantic glens, the rock-walled and 
wooded hollows, the secluded creeks in 
Romance Cliff. At .Base of Romance Cliff. 
CHARACTERISTIC SCENES IN THE DELES OP THE WISCONSIN RIVER. 
varied — The Narrows, Romance Cliff, 
Stand Rock, The Navy Yard; these and 
many other rock features, richly clothed 
in verdure, surprise and charm the visi- 
tor at every turn of the river. But after 
all, these are details and do not consti- 
tute the main contribution to our joy 
and refreshment — it is the total scene, 
the broad appeal of out-door beauty to 
our emotions, the quickening of our 
whole life as we move silently through 
this natural wonderland. But this is 
what the Dells are today. What they 
will be when the dam now under con- 
struction is completed, when the water 
is raised permanently eighteen to twenty 
water is raised, the present generation 
in Wisconsin, acting through the Leg- 
islature, will have covered forever more 
of the essential natural beauty of the 
State than future generations can re- 
create. Commercial returns to the whole 
people may perhaps justify this irre- 
trievable loss. If not, somewhere rests 
a grave responsibility. 
Devil’s Lake in Sauk County is, as ev- 
eryone knows, a most accessible and 
popular resort, with a great wild forest 
around it, and fully sufficient in size for 
State Park purposes. The climate in 
summer is healthful, if not invigorating. 
In beauty — barring the ravages of the 
little valleys, all make their contribu- 
tion to the pleasure of the visitor. Dev- 
it’s Lake possesses, too, scientific inter- 
est — geological, archaeological, botani- 
cal — that can scarcely be duplicated in 
Wisconsin. 
The total area mapped out by the first 
State Park Commission as representing 
the property desirable for the State to 
acquire, was 5,500 acres, which it has 
been roughly estimated could not be se- 
cured for less than $250,000. Of this 
area, 5,000 acres could be had for about 
$100,000 and the other 500 acres would 
cost approximately $150,000. 
A visit to Door County cannot fail 
