What can be learned about Sheboygan’s earliest occupants from what’s left behind? One organization is taking careful steps to answer that question through an archeological survey. The area being studied is the Willow Creek Preserve, 143 acres of lowland west of Taylor Drive near the Sheboygan River owned by the Glacial Lakes Conservancy.
The organization said that a crew from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has begun their efforts to sort out any historical or native materials found on the site. The general area has a long history of occupation, but most contemporary development has covered much of that with roads and homes.
The UW-M crew will carefully remove shovels-full of ground to search for evidence of First Peoples and early settlers. The survey can either reveal previously-unknown information about the area or, in a sort of mixed-blessing outcome, could turn up nothing of significance. On one hand, if artifacts are found then a careful excavation will be needed to document and preserve the find. But if the latter is the case, then the Glacial Lakes Conservancy will be able to begin working on a list of planned projects that now includes a regenerative stormwater conveyance system, a wetland enhancement project, removal of invasive species, and building a fish passage.
The Conservancy says that to date, no Native American artifacts have turned up…but only time will tell if any secrets are revealed as the survey of the Willow Creek Preserve continues.
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