Preserving sacred and historic structures from centuries ago is the main reason for Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. The structures being referred to here are earthen mounds which were created by the Native Americans of the area.
The Monument consists of three separate units, all of them containing mounds with the Sny Magill Unit containing the most at 112. The North and South Units are more easily accessible and contain the visitor facilities for the area.
Mounds were built for burial, lodging and ceremonies by Native Americans from the midwest to the Eastern coast, but only in this area is such a collection so dense and well preserved. The monument even includes 31 effigies which are mounds in the shape of creatures like birds, mammals and reptiles. In all, almost 2,000 years of mound construction is represented within the National Monument.
Aside from the preserved mounds, visitors to the monument are afforded a beautiful view of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers from the bluffs on the river valley. It was here that the first contact between European settlers and upper Mississippi River Native Americans took place in 1673.
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to The Glacial Drumlin trail office in Lake Mills, of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding