History: Strangfeld Rock City, Pine Valley Twp., Clark Co., Wisconsin

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Strangfeld, Baehr

----Source: Greenwood Public Library, original copy owned by Jean Rolstad

HISTORY OF THE STRANGFELD ROCK CITY, CLARK CO., WISCONSIN

"City of Rocks" - Made and Decayed by Nature, Written by Melba Baehr

Several states have so-called "rock cities," areas of several acres that abound in fantastic rock shapes to amaze the beholder and arouse the photographer. Wisconsin has no aerials region named Rock City, but it is fortunate enough to have at least one site, though not as extensive as those of which the West boasts, that could qualify for this title.

This cluster of rocks is found in Clark County, Wisconsin. Not preserved is a city, county, or state park these rock formations are to be found on private land. However, the Strangfeld family will generously permit you to walk out to these rocks in a back pasture. All you need to do is to ask if you may visit the rocks, and permission will be given.

This group of rocks may be seen from the town road which passes the farm, but a closer look will enable you to enjoy their real beauty. They have assumed the appearances of fortresses, chimney, and towers. Similarity to many other structures can be supplied by your imagination, which really works overtime when you are viewing these products of time and erosion.

The Strangfeld rocks are located at the east end of one of the large mounds found in the area. The huge mound itself is composed entirely of rock walls, escarpments, and other strange-looking formation, as will be seen only when you approach close to it, for trees conceal its composition from a distance.

This mound, as well as the other mounds scattered about the surrounding area, while not touched by the vast ice-cap itself, were once isolated islands in Old Glacial Lake Wisconsin, a huge lake formed when the ice sheet melted in the last glacial period. Waves of the 1,800 square mile lake dashed against these rock-topped islands, reducing them in size and in number, as the softer sandstone hills were broken away bit by bit. Just the mounds of harder stone remained.

Upon leaving the farmhouse, you proceed along a fence directly toward the mound, then turn and follow along its base to the separate rocks at its east end. Notice the huge pillars and rock chunks partially hidden in the pasture grass. At one time they too were a part of the mound, until in some distant year; they toppled from the main mass. They are evidence that the mound was once much higher and much larger than it is now, and that it is slowly being eroded to the level of the surrounding country. When that happens -which, of course, won't occur in your lifetime -- Wisconsin will have lost a thing of beauty.

Rock formations such as these deserve to be carefully preserved. They should be protected from everything except the natural ravages of time and further erosion, for it is phenomena such as these fantastically-shaped rocks that make Wisconsin delightfully different from the prairie states.

Before you leave the area, walk onto the saddle beside the tall chimney-like formation and gaze into the valley on the other side of the mound. The sight, if it is the fall of the year, will take your breath away.. A vista encompassing many miles lies below you, and trees of any hues -- scarlet gold, russet, orange -- give rich color to the landscape.

The view from this vantage point is lively at any other time of year also. In spring, the pale and tender green of new leaves is enchanting, and in summertime, the treetops present a solid mat of dark emerald.

The Strangfeld farm is off County trunk G in the township of Pine Valley. Within its confines is what is sure one of Wisconsin's memorable places to see.

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Query: Strangfeld
Contact: Ria Woolcott
Email: riawoolcott@polka.co.za

If you come across a Kurt Alfred Reinhold Paul Strangfeld born 14th May 1909 in Berlin could you please help me with the information. Thank you, Ria