What is Here?
Your coordinates should bring you to a Wisconsin Historical Marker. There are signs along Highway 14 marking the location, and a parking waypoint is included. There is also a marker on rural electrification in the same parking lot.
History of the Boaz Mastodon
Just to the East of this marker, an incredible geological discovery occurred: The discovery of an intact mastodon skeleton. Harry, Clyde, Verne, and Chris Dosch discovered the skeleton in 1897. They found one bone sticking out, and when they brought shovels to unearth it, they only stumbled across more! Locals got caught up in the excitement, and they helped the cause of digging up the whole thing. It was sold for only $50 to the state. It is now housed at the Geology Museum in Madison. Years later, something else was discovered: The two spear points found near the mastodon were likely used by Native Americans to kill it.
Update as of 10/28/2015- New evidence from UW-Madison suggests that the skeleton of the mastodon in Madison may not be entirely from Boaz. An article published by Wisconsin Life describes bones that may have been found near Anderson Mills, a town near Fennimore in Grant County. Thanks to user CEO&J for the tip on the interesting article!
Qualifying for this Earthcache
To get "official credit" for this Earthcache, you will need to answer two questions:
- How was the skeleton exposed (before the Dosch brothers dug it up)?
2. How long ago did mastodons live in Wisconsin? Was it before, after, or during the last glacial period?
Please send your answers to me, preferably around the time in which you log it. Have fun!