The Augustin Grignon Hotel
The only building in Butte des Morts on the National Register of Historic Places
About Us
The Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society was started in 2014 by Joe and Patti Yana from Butte des Morts, and Randy Domer from Oshkosh. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and disseminate materials and information relating to the rich history of Butte des Morts, Wisconsin, which began in 1818 as a fur trading post founded by Augustin Grignon. We encourage anyone wanting to learn or share more about Butte des Morts to join us! We can be reached at BDMHPS@gmail.com.Historic Sites and Event Photos
Klemp Brothers Service Station and John Klemp grocery
With the arrival of the automobile on the scene, Butte des Morts needed a business to service automobiles.
The White House
Built around the turn of the century as a saloon and currently has
The Hull House
Originally built by Lathrop W. Hull around 1856 who thought the beautiful Italian two-story Villa
Found in the wall
A discovery found in the Yana home, during a 1995 remodeling project.
Skeleton Bridge School
Named after the bridge that crosses the nearby Skeleton Creek
Society Kick-off
On Sunday, June 22, the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society (BDMHPS) held its kick-off event at
Plummer Cemetery
Some of the first settlers in this area are in this cemetery.
Bogk's Tavern
It was started by Joe and Etta Bogk in the early 1900s and
Tilly's Tavern
The first building at this location was a hotel built by Thomas Petford.
Former Butte des Morts School
This former Butte des Morts school house is located on what is now County Trunk S and Spiegelberg Road.
Butte des Morts - First County Seat in Winnebago County
On July 16, 1845, board commissioners met at the home of Webster Stanley where Robert Grignon presented a proposition
Grignon Trading Post
First Permanent Post in Winnebago County founded 1818 by Augustin Grignon & Jas. (Jacques Francois Xavier {James} ) Porlier.
Help Support Our Society
We have raised 100% of the funds needed for our fire-proof safe.
Thanks to all of our generous donors we have now met 100% of our goal. We hope to purchase our fireproof safe by the end of the summer. Thank you one and all!
We are currently identifying our next goal, but if you would like to donate something to be used for any purpose, we've provided the following PayPal donation button for your convenience.
Thank you for supporting the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society!
Society Fundraiser - Historic Note Cards
We've asked several local artists to sketch designs of historic Butte des Morts buildings, and we're offering their sketches as note cards. There are eight designs in total.There are 8 cards in a pack for $5. You can order all 8 of one design or a variety package where you designate how many of each design you'd like. Shipping costs are $2.50 to mail one pack of 8 and $3.00 to mail two packs of 8.
Please contact Patti Yana at BDMHPS@gmail.com if you have any questions.
If you wish to purchase these cards, please send a check to:
Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society, P.O. Box 332, Butte des Morts, WI 54927.
The "Hull House" was built by Lathrop W. Hull in Butte des Morts, WI around 1856.
Design #1 - The "Hull House"
Sketch by Dan Radig of Oshkosh, WI - 2014
Dan Radig is a respected Oshkosh artist who is well known for his stylistic paintings. His artistic interpretation of the Hull House in Butte des Morts is representative of this style. It is reproduced from an acrylic painting. We are pleased he was able to capture the beauty of this Italian two story Villa.
An author of local history, Dan is known for collecting, preserving and sharing historic images of Oshkosh. He is also a member of the Oshkosh Memorabilia Club.
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #2 - The White House Inn
Sketch by Ginny Gross of Oshkosh, WI - 2014
Ginny Gross is a local Oshkosh artist who currently works at the Oshkosh Public Museum. She has always had an interest in local history and recently developed an interest in sketching. We are so pleased to showcase her new found talent by her sketch of the White House Inn in Butte des Morts!
Ginny is also very well known in the Oshkosh Community for her informative tours of Riverside Cemetery.
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
The White House Inn was started in Butte des Morts, WI around the turn of the century as a saloon. After becoming a popular stopping point between towns, it was eventually transformed into an inn and then a supper club.
Bogk's Tavern was started by Joe and Etta Bogk in the early 1900's and remained open until the late 1960's. It was a popular gathering place even during Prohibition.
Design #3 - Bogk's Tavern
Sketch by D. Bartlet, 2015
Bogk's Tavern was started by Joe and Etta Bogk in the early 1900's and remained open until the late 1960's. It was a popular gathering place even during Prohibition. The building still stands today.
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #4 - Butte des Morts Marker
Sketch by D. Bartlet, 2015
MAS-PA-QUA-TE-NO
Butte des Morts
Hill of the Dead
First county seat
Erected by winnebago County Archeological & Historical Society, 1938
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #5 - Clemansville Marker
Sketch by D. Bartlet, 2015
Homesite of Horace Clemans. First settler in Town of Vinland. Dedicated to the pioneer men and women whose vision and courage made our day possible.
Erected 1946 by the Winnebago County Archeological & Historical Society
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #6 - Skeleton Bridge School
Sketch by D. Bartlet, 2015
Skeleton Bridge School was a one room school house that operated from 1858 to 1956. It is located on Skeleton Bridge Road near Butte des Morts. It was auctioned off in 1957 and is now privately owned.
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #7 - Trading Post Marker
Sketch by D. Bartlet, 2015
First permanent post in Winnebago County.
850 Ft. S.S.W. this point. Founded 1818 by Augustine Grignon & Jas. Porlier.
Erected by the Winnebago County Historical & Archeological Society
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
Design #8 - Grignon Hotel
Sketch by Cassidy Mulvey, 2015
The Grignon Hotel was built by Butte des Morts founder Augustin Grignon in the late 1840s and served as a hotel in the mid 1800s.
In 1859 it was purchased by Peter Peterson and was also used as a general store, post office and general gathering place.
In 1901 it was purchased by John Boe, who operated it as a general store.
In the 1950s it was used as an antique store.
At one point it was owned by the Winnebago County Historical & Archeological Society.
© Permission given to the Butte des Morts Historical Preservation Society by the Artist.
The Grignon Hotel is now privately owned and is one of the oldest remaining commercial structures in Winnebago County.
Send us an E-Mail
We'd love to hear from you!
Address:
Butte des Morts Historical Preservation SocietyP.O. Box 332
Butte des Morts, WI 54927 USA