Baraboo, Dells, and Devil's Lake RegionCole, Harry Ellsworth
History
Baraboo, Dells, and Devil's Lake Region
Cole, Harry Ellsworth
Baraboo (Wis.); Dells of the Wisconsin (Wis.); Devil's Lake (Wis.); Sauk County (Wis.)
Sturgeon Rock resembles the fish by that name. It is located on the
left at the entrance to the wild grandeur of the Dells.
The Navy Yard exhibits the geological formation of the Dells in the
superlative degree. Huge vessels with prows and sides and ribs of solid
stone, may be pictured without difficulty by the imagination, all
warring with the waters of the narrows.
Opposite the Navy Yard is Eaton Grotto, a long deep opening in the face
of the cliff.
Skylight Cave is submerged.
At the Narrows the river is only fifty-two feet wide, but over 80 feet
deep. Here the stream runs on its edge, hemmed in by ponderous rocks.
In 1850 Schuyler S. Gates built a bridge over the stream at this place,
the first ever thrown across the Wisconsin River. After thousands of
teams and passengers had paid toll, the high water of 1866 carried it
away.
The Devil's Elbow marks the place where the stream makes a square turn
as it enters the Narrows.
Black Hawk Cave on the left, so lingers a legend, is where the chief
secreted himself after his disastrous war of 1832.
Notch Rock, near the water's edge, was the terror of raftsmen, more
than one raft breaking up and more than one life being lost at this
place.
Artist's Glen, on the right, is one of the most beautiful retreats of
the Dells.
Sliding Rocks, at the edge of the water, are so named from their
peculiar formation, apparently sliding inward and throwing the water to
the center of the stream.
The Ancient River Bed is seen on the left. In an early day a portion of
the river flowed through the now deserted channel, entering the main
stream near the Dell House site and forming an island.
Coldwater Canyon is one of the grand features of the Dells. This is a
rocky defile with frowning crags and perpendicular walls.
The Devil's Jug, thirty-five feet across at the bottom and seventy feet
high, is a never-ending wonder.
The Devil's Arm Chair is submerged.
The Clam Banks are just above, a place in name only.
The Ruffle Rocks adorn the side of the stream.
Chameleon Cave, with beautiful changing mosses, is near Steamboat Rock.
Steamboat Rock, without smoke-stack and wheel-house, challenges
attention.
Roods' Glen is on the right.
Honey Bee Spring is submerged.
Arch Cove gives a view of the river above.
Witches' Gulch is of rare interest and extends for three-quarters of a
mile from the shore.
Above Witches' Gulch are the Hornets' Nest, Luncheon Hall, Stand Rock,
Demon's Anvil, Louis Bluff and Elephant Back. All around is a panorama
of beauty.
Jefferson Davis at Dells
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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