Fountain Lake Farm - Montello, WI
Posted by: 
Peace B W/U
N 43° 41.444 W 089° 23.731
16T E 306944 N 4840312
Quick Description: Saunter where John Muir spent his teen years clearing the wilderness for the family farm across the lake. Explore the environment that fanned his love for nature.
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 7/21/2007 9:27:05 PM
Waymark Code: WM1WP3
Views: 30
Long Description:Fountain Lake Farm, John Muir's Boyhood Home
Marquette County John Muir Memorial Park
State Natural Area No. 96.
Marquette County Ice Age Trail John Muir Segment
This area was settled in 1849 by the Muir family coming from
Scotland. Fountain Lake Farm became the boyhood home of John Muir,
"father" of our National Parks, founder of the Sierra Club. He
admired the natural beauty of the area. He developed a profound
love for nature here. He became a spokesperson for the preservation
of the wilderness.
The site had been grazed but recovery took place when Professor
Hugh Iltis for UW Madison first saw the fen in the late
1950's.
A granite marker was erected in 1957 when John Muir Memorial Park
was dedicated to Muir. Recommended by Professor Iltis, this site
was designated a state natural area in March 1972.
The lake is a 30-acre kettle lake in ground morraine. The water
is clear, spring and seepage fed with a maximum depth of 30 feet.
The plant communities include a rich fen that lies along the outlet
stream, sedge meadow, open bog, northern wet forest dominated by
tamarack, southern dry forest, oak opening, and wet-mesic prairie.
The fen and wet-mesic prairie are highlighted by such showy species
as New England aster, bottle and small fringed gentians, prairie
blazing star, grass of parnassus, pitcher plant, nodding ladies
tresses, prairie dock and golden alexanders.
Park Open Year Round. Picnic Area. Pets on Leash.
Restrooms-Seasonal. Fishing, no motor lake. No Hunting.
