Frank’s Hill, an effigy mound site in southern Richland County, will be open to the public for observance of the autumnal equinox. Fall officially begins at 7:43 a.m. on Sunday, September 22nd. Everyone is invited to gather at this sacred effigy mounds site near Muscoda to view the sunset and gather around a campfire on the evening of Saturday, September 21st, to bid farewell to summer. Early risers are welcome to view the sunrise on the morning of September 22nd. The site also may be visited during the day to see the mounds and the grand vista. The Three Eagles Foundation will have a tour guide available at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening prior to the sunset. Participants should arrive by 6:00 a.m. to view the sunrise on Sunday the 22nd. The events are subject to suitable weather conditions. A short hike will be required to the top of the hill that offers a stunning view of the lower Wisconsin River valley. The site is located 2 miles west of Muscoda near the intersection of Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 193.
Frank’s Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places. A group of unique effigy mounds is situated on the east ridge where the observances will occur. Across Hwy. 193, the west ridge is situated where a line of features, believed to be calendar indicators related to the summer solstice, are located. The lands around the site once contained the highest concentration of bird shaped mounds found anywhere in the world. The mounds are thought to have been built during the Late Woodland period dating back to one thousand or more years ago.
To learn more about the equinox event or for directions, contact Mark Cupp at (608) 739-2179 or visit the Three Eagles Foundation website or Facebook page.