Fountain Lake Farm

Fountain Lake Farm, also known as the Wisconsin Farm Home of John Muir, is a historic farm and National Historic Landmark in rural Montello, Wisconsin, United States. The landmark covers part of the farm that was the home of pioneering conservationist John Muir from 1849 to 1856 and 1860 to 1862. Covering 80 acres (32 ha), the landmarked area is partly private property and partly in John Muir Memorial County Park, a minimally developed public park.[3]

Fountain Lake Farm (Wisconsin Farm Home of John Muir)
Entrance into Fountain Lake Farm
Fountain Lake Farm is located in Wisconsin
Fountain Lake Farm
Fountain Lake Farm is located in the United States
Fountain Lake Farm
Nearest cityMontello, Wisconsin
United States
Coordinates43°41′30″N 89°23′14″W
Area80 acres (32 ha)
Built1864
NRHP reference No.90000471
Significant dates
Added to NRHP1990-06-21[1]
Designated NHL1990-06-21[2]

Description and history

John Muir came to the United States in 1849 as an eleven-year-old immigrant with his father, who established a farm in Marquette County, Wisconsin. The 160-acre (65 ha) farm property later expanded to 320 acres (130 ha) in what was essentially undeveloped wilderness, which would play a significant role in developing the young Muir's appreciation of nature and the development of his conservation ethic. Muir explored Fountain Lake, partially on the farm property and the farm's namesake, and the ecosystems that surrounded it. The family farmstead was located on a knoll in the northeastern portion of the acreage 80 acres (32 ha) that makes up the landmark designation.[3]

The landmarked area is a rectangle consisting of those southern 80 acres of the Muir property. It is bounded on the north by Gillette Drive, and includes of a parcel of private land at its northeast corner, as well as the northeastern part of the county's John Muir Memorial Park. The private land, about 18 acres (7.3 ha), includes the area that was the site of the Muir's farmhouse. The southern and western portions of the landmarked area are accessible via a trail that encircles the lake and via a parking area on County Road F. There are no standing structures in the landmarked area that date to the Muir's ownership, although some trees survive from the Muir period.[3]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Fountain Lake Farm (Wisconsin Farm Home of John Muir)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
  3. Donald L. Stevens, Jr. (May 11, 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination / National Historic Landmark Nomination: Fountain Lake Farm / Wisconsin Farm Home of John Muir" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 7 photos, from 1988 and c.1863. (1.18 MB)
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