This afternoon I will be making a short appearance on the 5 o'clock news on Channel 13, Eau Claire, touting the upcoming St. Hubert's Rally/chili feed and music by yours truly at Round Hill on the Chippewa river just out of Durand.
festivities begin at 5PM and run through 10 PM. The poster claims that admission is free and everyone is welcome. It is your kickoff to Fall outdoor adventure fever with free refreshments and grat outdoor recipes.
In addition to my show, which will start around 6:30PM, there will be mini raffles with all proceeds benefitting future youth and family programs at Round Hill.
A couple of weeks ago, Kim and I took a drive down Durand way to scout it out and it is, indeed, a lovely spot to hold a "happening", with the Chippewa River rolling by just down the hill. I have lived in this area all my life and it always amazes me that there are some wonderfully scenic places that I haven't been to -- very close to my home.
Here are the directions to Round Hill: From downtown Durand, Wisconsin, cross the Chippewa River bridge heading west. Immediately ater crossing the bridge, take a left onto County Highway P. Go two miles on P, then take a left on Silveer Birch Road. Follow Silver Birch Road to the stop sign and take a left on Round Hill Road. Round Hill Road will lead to the rally site.
The event is being sponsored by Round Hill Corporation with the support of Park Ridge Distributing, Arkansas Fur, Fish, and Game, Peterson Taxidermy, Ryan's Sport Shop, Butch's Country Market and committed volunteers.
If you want even more information, call Dan at 715 672 8453.
Looking briefly at the history of Round Hill, the site was involved in some of the earliest recorded activity of Pepin County. In 1680, a Franciscan priest, Fr. Louis Hennipin, and his companions are believed to have explored the area.
Early deed and abstracts for this site indicate that the location at the foot of Round Hill was originally intended to be a city that was to be named Onaway.
While this did not materialize, the site did serve as a place of gatherings and industry. In the 1860's it was a stop for the river steamers and a place for Independence Day celebrations.
In 1869, Albert Gilmore agreed to operate a sheer boom and lodging house at Round Hill for Frederick Weyerhauser. The location was important to Weyerhauser's logging interestss because of its location near the head of the Beef slough, which served as a staging area for organizing log rafts. The log rafts were then floated down river to the lumber mills of the Mississippi.
For the lumberjacks who followed the log drives from the north woods to the Mississippi River, Round Hill was a day's walk on their return trip and a common overnight lodging stop.
In 1916, the Catholic Church purchased Round Hill, intending to establish a retirement home for aging priests. A small chapel ws dedicated at the site and a grotto built into the hillside. Buildings were improved, a dormitory added as well as facilities for overnight retreats.
The church continued to use the property until 1949 when it was sold back to the Gillmore family, who owned and resided on the property until 1996. During the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 the Catholic Church again purchased Round Hill to honor its importance for the church, to inspire new evangelization of the area and to preserve its natural beauty.
Round Hill is home to rare and endangered species of plants, birds, insects, and fish, such as puccoon and spiderwort, the red-shouldered hawk, the Cerulean Warbler, the Pecatonia River Mayfly, the Arcadian Flycatcher, the Higgins Eye Mussel, and the crystal darter.
Today Round Hill is maintained by the Diocese of LaCrosse in cooperation with the State of Wisconsin, preserving for posterity this natural and unspoiled area.
It will be worth the trip just to bask in its beauty. Add to this a great chili feed and live entertainment and what looks like a perfect late summer evening temperature-wise, and you have an unforgettable evening.
See ya there!
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