Print
Signal Oak, Ripon, Wisconsin
View of the Signal Oak taken from the original, which was the first in a series of Heritage Prints. The idea for the series was conceived by the First National Bank of Ripon and the 9 x 12" prints were "hand printed by the silk screen process at the Ripon Community Art Center, 1956." |
Image ID: | 39604 |
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Creation Date: | 1956 |
Creator Name: | Unknown |
City: | Ripon |
County: | Fond du Lac |
State: | Wisconsin |
Collection Name: | Place File* |
Genre: | |
Original Format Type: | prints, fine-art |
Original Format Number: | 3-3903 |
Original Dimensions: | Unknown |
The accompanying brochure states: "On a side street in Ripon, not far from the heart of the city, stands the Signal Oak - a mute but magnificent monument to our historical heritage. A huge bur oak tree measuring nearly 12 feet in circumference, its age has been set by Dr. E.J. Kohl at approximately two hundred years...It was a robust youngster when our nation was a-borning. Only a short distance to the west in 1844 the Fourierites experimented in communistic living at Ceresco. Almost in its shadow in 1854 the Republican party was born. In 1861, just a short walk to the north of it, the First Wisconsin Cavalry was mustered to preserve the Union and free the slave. It stands close to the campus of Ripon College, organized in 1851. It is to Richard Dart, early resident of the Ripon area and son of the founder of Dartford (Green Lake), to whom we are indebted for the historical facts which gave the tree its name - the "Signal Oak." According to Dart, this tree and another like it (which is gone) were conspicuous landmarks on the Butte des Morts trail from Green Bay to Portage. Indians, trappers, traders soldiers moving between the frontier forts followed the trail when they could not use the Fox-Wisconsin waterway. Highway 44 between Ripon and Oshkosh follows a segment of the original route...Today at the northwest corner of Ransom and Thorne Streets the Signal Oak rears its venerable head, a noble reminder of our past and a solemn inspiration for our future. Lyle Cors, 1956" There is no artist's name on the print, but, according to David H. Penke of Oshkosh WI on 12/14/06: The artist was Eve Faustman of Ripon. This was one of a series - mostly buildings in and around Ripon - done as large reproductions in frames and also as a set of cards, with pertinent information about the subject of each picture on the back of the card or as an insert. |
Trees |
Cities and towns |
Historic sites |
Drawing |
This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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