Mineral Point — Cornish Miners' Lost Secret

Your adventure begins at the Pendarvis State Historic Site, founded in 1935 by Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum. Here, you explore the stone houses built by Cornish miners starting in the 1840s, a living testament to the lead mining operations that began in Mineral Point in 1828. These buildings, saved from demolition, are now managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society and have been open to the public since 1970. You will understand the challenges and craftsmanship of these immigrants who shaped the urban landscape of Mineral Point, a central location in the National Register of Historic Places since 1985.

Next, head to Shake Rag Alley, a historic neighborhood where free African American and Cornish miners lived side-by-side in the 1840s. The name 'Shake Rag' comes from the tradition where women would wave rags to signal the miners' return. Today, this area houses the Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, preserving mid-19th century cottages. This site, included in the Mineral Point Historic District, offers a window into the community life and diversity of that era, where destinies intertwined in the narrow streets of Mineral Point.

Your journey then takes you to Library Park, on High Street, a key location in Wisconsin's history. It was here that Henry Dodge was elected the first governor of the Wisconsin Territory on July 4, 1836. This central municipal park, located next to the Municipal Building, commemorates the state's beginnings and symbolizes Mineral Point's political importance in the region. You will feel the echo of the decisions that shaped the future of this territory, at the heart of this historic district.

Continue your exploration along High Street, the main thoroughfare of the Mineral Point historic district. Here you can admire buildings dating from the 1830s-1850s, constructed by Cornish miners. This street is also included in the Mineral Point Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It was here that markets took place, such as the Mineral Point Market, which is still held every Saturday from May to October at the adjacent Water Tower Park. You walk in the footsteps of the commerce and social life that animated this mining town.

Finally, your quest brings you to Soldiers Memorial Park, Mineral Point's largest municipal park. This location, at the corners of Shake Rag, Commerce, and Antoine Streets, is a modern recreational space with a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Although more recent, it represents the continuity of community life and the evolution of Mineral Point, offering a contrast to the mining vestiges. You conclude your exploration with a comprehensive view of the Cornish heritage and the current vitality of this historic Wisconsin town, a true treasure of American heritage.