AREA HISTORIAN TO PUBLISH BOOK IN AUGUST

For years, historians and archeologists have studied the corners of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota in an effort to uncover and document significant events that have led to the development of this area as we know it today. A number of sites scattered throughout this region offer insights as to the very earliest exploration and settlement of this area, first by Native Americans and later by pioneer settlers. Revealing the stories behind each artifact, remnant, aged building, trail or road serves as a reminder of the many people throughout time that have played a significant role in the early exploration and development of this region.
For 35 years, William J. Burke, local historian and community planner, has worked to uncover the secrets held within the landscape of northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin as well as southeast Minnesota. In order to share his findings, he has published the book "The Upper Mississippi Valley: How the Landscape Shaped our Heritage." This edition of the book will prove to be a collector's "millennium edition."
"This written work will be a mix of history and essays," says Burke. "Much of the information in the book will contain interesting details not generally known about the exploration and settlement of this hilly, tri-state area." According to the author, the purpose of the book is to link historical events with the landscape. This goal has been made possible by Burke's training and experience in community and regional planning and landscape architecture, combined with nearly four decades of research concerning the region's earliest history.
Information and resources for this book was gained through years of active participation in historical societies in each of the focused areas, in addition to research at State Historical Societies, the National Archives and the Library of Congress and via the internet.
"As we enter the next millennium, it's important to take a look back over the last two and one-half centuries - to evaluate what has happened through the years and the impact historical events have had on the landscapes and on our lives," says Burke.
Chapters in "The Upper Mississippi Valley" will include enlarged articles previously printed in The Waukon Standard, including historical information on Native American relocation into the Neutral Zone, Paint Rock Bluff, Old French Trading Road across Iowa, Old Military Trail, Jefferson Davis Saw Mill, Winnebago War of 1827 (Methode murders), J.S. Excursion Boat, and the Old Mission School.
Other chapters will describe the opening of Allamakee County lands for surveying and settlement, the natural landscape of the region prior to settlement, the Upper Iowa River valley, the Battle of Bad Axe, the geology and landscape of the area, exploiting and preserving the Mississippi River, Blackhawk Bridge, Allamakee County rural school districts as well as other topics. The book describes the first land sales in Allamakee County and within the City of Lansing. Various myths about regional history are also described.
Throughout the book will be approximately 200 historical photos and maps. Also included will be accounts of the author's family and ancestor involvement with historical events or locations.
Copies of the book are planned to be available in September or October. Sales reservations are being taken now due to the limited quantities being printed. Copies may be ordered through the Waukon Standard newspaper in Waukon, or the Allamakee Journal, located in Lansing.