The Ebb and Flow of Historic Waukesha - Springs Mounds & Treasure

Meat Dealer Joe Martin

Listening to Joseph Martin recant his childhood memories, catching turtles from Waukesha's Fox River, watching the circus train stop at Bethesda Park and going to Kaske's store to buy candy is an enchanting and enlightening glimpse of Waukesha's not too distant past.

Joe specializes in buying and selling local Waukesha Memorabilia, breweriana, coins and currency, but it is the less obvious local historic finds that are his greatest treasure.

Over the last few years Joe has picked up many items from the area; Native American artifacts from this area hold great meaning to him as treasures because they cost nothing. 

"If you can find them, they are usually one of a kind," Joe said.

According to Joe, anyone can find these items by spending some time outdoors and finding an open field.

"Exercising your eyes and mind, not to mention your legs and back," he said.

Joe plans on spending more time this summer hunting for copper artifacts and coins with his new metal detector.

Waukesha once had many ancient effigy mounds; there is little evidence of who the mound builders really were. However, it is known that mounds were used for burying the dead and they pre-date current accepted history regarding the arrival of Native Americans. The mounds can also be found in Europe, and most importantly, the mounds are still clearly visible to the naked eye in Waukesha.

According to Joe, three of the mounds are located in Cutler Park; made famous by Waukesha's founding father Morris D. Cutler, who would tell visitors to Waukesha that Chief Wauk-tsha was buried in the large mound and his two wives were buried in the small mounds on either side.

Keeping this in mind, and adding the consideration of how many different peoples have since inhabited this area, who knows what great historical treasures lay beneath our feet.

"Waukesha once had many ancient effigy mounds of all shapes and sizes, some resembling birds, snakes, turtles and lizards. It is believed they were made to honor the great spirits," Joe said.