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The Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site or Notipekago Site, also known as the Quick Site, is a multi-component archaeological site located near where South Custer Road crosses the Pere Marquette River in Mason County, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1993[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

History

The oral tradition of the Odawa people holds that the Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site was the site of an important 17th century battle between the Odawa and Mascouten peoples.[2] Many men from both sides of the conflict died in the battle, and their skulls were placed on sticks along the riverbank; the site became known as "Notipekago" or "Notipekagon" - literally, "heads on sticks."[4]

Years later, erosion exposed the previously buried remains of the warriors, leading to the modern archaeological discovery of the site.[2]

Description

The Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site is located on two river terraces along the Pere Marquette River. The site contains three small mounds, and pottery and French trade goods were found.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Notipekago Commemorative Designation". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  3. ^ The NRIS lists this site as "address restricted." However, the state of Michigan has placed a commemorative marker near the site. Given geo-coordinates are approximate.
  4. ^ MI Department of Natural Resources (July 1978), Pere Marquette River Natural River Plan (PDF), pp. 19–21
  5. ^ Beth Blenz (1981), Encyclopedia of Michigan, Somerset Publishers, ISBN 9780403099733

Further reading

  • Nancy Nowak; Patricia Fisher (1971), The Custer-Walhalla Survey of the Pere Marquette River, Michigan State University