Just south of Brodhead, Wisconsin near the Illinois border stands a living link to our regions past. One of the areas most famous trees. The Indian Half-Way Tree was used by Indians to mark the half-way point between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River (see map here). Oneida Indians would use this Bur Oak tree as a marker, meeting point, place to camp and a spot to divide the party as some would head in canoe down the Sugar River just west of the tree.
In 1867 the new owner of the land, Charles Warner, saw an Indian chief standing in front of the farm. Pointing to the tree, the chief made them understand that it should never be cut. It never has. The last Indians to utilize this tree was during the spring of 1878 when a father and son stopped for a night.
According to present day experts, the tree is off by about six miles. Today, the tree proudly stands and has been protected by many owners through the years still marking the half-way point along the ancient Indian trail.
Brodhead, WI is within an hour drive from Galena. The tree is located south of Brodhead off of Hwy. 81 on Half-Way Tree Road. The sign and tree are visible from the road.
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