"A Sense of Place" Exhibit
 Excerpts from the Exhibit:
In 2009 the Burnett County Historical Society commemorated the 40th
Anniversary of the 1969 discovery of the Forts Folle Avoine fur posts, and the 20th Anniversary of the 1989 Grand Opening of Forts Folle
Avoine Historical Park.
The exhibit was designed and presented to celebrate the
fascinating story of this historic site, and to recount the
people and events that shaped it.
Using archival documents and photographs collected and preserved
through the years, each exhibit panel focuses on a part of the Forts Folle Avoine story.
From the Exhibit Panel "Discovery":
"The exact site of the posts on the Yellow River in Curot's time cannot
now be determined." [Reuben Gold Thwaites, Publisher of Curot's Journal
in 1911.]
Fortunately for us, Harris and Frances Palmer were not convinced the
"legendary" fur trade site on the Yellow River could not be found ~
they felt Curot's journal held clues to its location!
1969 was the search group's pivotal year. The Palmers met local residents
Gene and LaFayette Connor whose ancestor
John Connor had been part of the XY Company.
Ten days were spent searching the woods, following geographical
landmarks from Curot's 1803-04 journal, until the Palmers and Connors focused on a
specific area along the Yellow River. Lester Hammersberg, a local resident, directed them to a pile of rocks
across the river-- a significant find in otherwise sandy country. A
test "dig" confirmed the discovery of the elusive fur trade site!
The Forts Folle Avoine historic site was significant for several reasons:
- It was undisturbed.
- The burning of the buildings kept the fur posts from future
habitation or change--unique to any other known fur post sites.
- The burning also preserved the foot print of the buildings, along with artifacts that remained.
- It was the only known instance of two competing trading companies having located in such close proximity to one another.
"We were lucky we got here when we did," Palmer said after learning the
land was being platted for building lots! The Anderson estate was purchased by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, enabling the historic fur post site to be preserved. To further protect the site, Harris Palmer filed
papers to place the North West Company & XY Company Trading Post Site on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Reconstruction of the Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park:
Timeline of Excavation
1970 - Harris & Frances Palmer, along with Gene Connor, began
archaeological work with 14 teenagers organized as the Platteville
Student Archaeologists, Inc. Harris Palmer undertook the "dig" with a
budget of $85, plus $4000 from the State College Board. Due to
illness, Harris Palmer was unable to continue with the excavation.
1978 - Excavation work resumed with funding from the State
Historical Society of Wisconsin, directed by archaeologist Ed
Oerichbauer.
1979 - Burnett County allocated $5500 to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin to continue excavation.
1980 - The State Historical Society of Wisconsin discontinued funding.
1981 - The Burnett County Historical Society assumed responsibility
for the historic site excavation. Oerichbauer became
the director of the society and the excavation.
1980's - A Wisconsin Economic Development Grant faciliated progress in reconstruction efforts.
Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park
1989 - The Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park opened to the public.
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