- Driftless Tribe
- Posts
- Driftless Tribe #0011
Driftless Tribe #0011
Weekly Breakdown
Survey Results: What You Told Us
Hey Tribe! Another week, another PACKED newsletter on tap. Let’s do it.
Big thanks to everyone who filled out our early subscriber survey! Here’s what we learned:
• 86% of you want weekly newsletters—so that’s what you’ll get!
• 75% prefer exclusive local deals—we’re working on them now!
• 88% gave us 4 or 5 stars when recommending Driftless Tribe—huge appreciation!
We’re building something special, and your feedback makes it better. Got ideas? Hit reply—we’re listening!
Thanks for being part of the Tribe!
The Lost Secrets of Big Eagle Cave: A Driftless Mystery
Deep in the rugged hills of the Driftless Area, stories linger—some of the people who lived here, others of hidden, sacred places. One of the most enduring is the legend of Big Eagle Cave, a cavern lost to history, its location erased but its mystery never forgotten.
Long before settlers arrived, the Ho-Chunk knew these lands well. Among the bluffs and twisting rivers, they told of a cave near Pine and Wisconsin Rivers, close to Gotham, WI. It was a place of warnings—but few understood why until three young hunters entered and never returned.
Their tracks led inside, but there was no sign of a struggle—only an eerie, moaning melody drifting from the darkness. When Chief Great Eagle sent warriors to find them, they too vanished. The tribe called it the Song of Death, and no one dared enter again.
Determined to solve the mystery, Great Eagle led another expedition, tying warriors together with rope. But as soon as they stepped inside, the ropes went limp—as if those holding them had simply ceased to exist. The chief forbade anyone from approaching the cave again. Over time, its exact location was forgotten.
Fact or Folklore? A New Discovery
In 1848, settlers founded Richland City, a once-promising town near the old Ho-Chunk village. But frequent floods from the Wisconsin River washed away homes and businesses, and by the early 1900s, Richland City disappeared, its land absorbed into nearby Gotham.
But the cave’s legend didn’t die. In 1891, an Austrian scientist visiting the region met Paul Seifert, a German immigrant and landscape painter. Seifert claimed to have found a hidden cave deep in the hills—inside were countless skeletons, ancient artifacts, and signs of an unknown people. Though he never revealed its location, he sealed the entrance, vowing its secrets would remain undisturbed.
Could the Cave Still Be Out There?
Many believe Big Eagle Cave and Seifert’s discovery are the same. Some point to Bogus Bluff, known for its own eerie legends. Others suspect the Pine River Trail bluffs or Gotham Jack Pine Barrens hide the entrance. Even Eagle Cave near Blue River fuels speculation—could another, forgotten cave lie nearby?
If you’re drawn to the mystery, explore these places yourself. Hike the Pine River Trail, wander Gotham’s barrens, or tour Eagle Cave. Maybe—just maybe—you’ll find Big Eagle Cave. Or perhaps, as Chief Great Eagle warned, some places are meant to remain lost.
Moment in Time
Trempealeau, 1904 - Wisconsin Historical Society, WHI-30470
Happenings
WEDNESDAY 2/12
Harpers Ferry, Yellow River State Forest - Fire Tower Moonlight Hike Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Cupid’s Arrow Wine-O-Bingo Link
Richland Center, Patchwork Acres - Winter Market Link
Lancaster, Library - Yahtzee & Nachos Game Night Link
Wisconsin Dells, Showboat Saloon - Live with Adam Greuel & The Space Burritos with Mama T of The People Brothers Link
Potosi, Pages & Parcels - Boards, Besties, & Bliss Link
Brooklyn, Main St Event Venue - Family Night Link
Muscoda, English Prairie Distilling Company - Open Mic Link
Fort McCoy, MWR - Sit, Sip, & Paint Link
Spring Green, Library - Explore the World of Watercolor Link
Lone Rock, Angel Dreams Studios - Art Class Link
LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern - Open Jam Link
Avoca, Whiskey Row Saloon - Karaoke Link
THURSDAY 2/13
Spring Green, The Shed - Wheel of Fortune Party Link
Baraboo, Wiscocktail Lounge - Galentine’s Day Link
Platteville, Sweet Violet Floral Boutique - Galentine’s Night Out Link
Spring Green, Library - The Myths of the Fire & Murders at Taliesin Link
Viroqua, Hotel Fortney - Galentine’s Flower Party Link
Monroe, Library - Neon Night Link
LaCrosse, Film Academy - RomCom Film Club Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed - Open Jam Link
LaValle, Redstone’s North End Tavern - Live with Kyle Donsky Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co - Bored Game Nights Link
McGregor, Backwoods - Trivia Link
Brooklyn, Main St Event Venue - Karaoke Link
Sauk City, MT Bottle Brewing Co - Meat Raffle Link
FRIDAY 2/14
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel - Grand ReOpening, Live with The Weeping Covenant Link
Winona, Two Fathoms Brewing - Bingo Link
Baraboo, Con Amici - Sips & Serenades Link
Baraboo, Ringling House Bed & Breakfast - Valentine’s Day Surf & Turf Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Valentine’s Pizza Date Night Link
Platteville, The Black Smock - Secret Supper Club: Valentines Edition Link
Westby, Daily Brew - Puzzle Night Link
New Glarus, Whiskey Run - Valentine’s Date Night Special Link
Highland, Mo’s Bootleggers - Live with Dr. Jim & The Junkyard Dawg Link
Cassville, Neighborhood Slush - Valentine’s Day Event Link
Brooklyn, Main St Event Venue - 80’s Rock Music Bingo Link
LaCrosse, The Ridge - Live with Daddy’s Girls Link
Dodgeville, Duke’s - Live with Mark Croft Duo Link
Platteville, Crossroads Supper Club - Comedy Show Link
Baraboo, Arts Convention Center - BTG presents “Belles” Link
SATURDAY 2/15
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel - Live with Chris Silver Link
Wisconsin Dells, Pals Brewing - Daddy Daughter Dance Link
Winona, Holzinger Lodge - 5th Annual Winter Luminary Hike Link
Winona, Breitlow Ballroom - Latin Dance Night Link
Baraboo, 1201 Draper St. - Flapjacks for Farmers and Friends Link
Roxbury, Dora Haus Supper Club - White Lightning Snowmobile Club 52nd Annual Valentine Dance, Live with Lights Out Band Link
Verona, Wisconsin Brewing Co - Battle of the Barrels Link
LaValle, Redstone’s North End Tavern - Winterfest, Live with Abby Spencer Link
Lake Delton, 101 Progressive Dr - Winter Trolley Tour Link
Baraboo, Nautical Coffee Co - Live with Klein Creek Link
Fennimore, Thirsty Wrangler - 1st Annual Rabbit & Coyote Hunt Link
LaCrosse, LaCrosse Club - Live with Sam Gauthier Link
Sparta, American Legion - Cabin Fever 2025 Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co - 4th Annual Euchre Tourney Link
Wrightstown, 615 Main St - Galentine’s Day Party Link
Cuba City, Big R’s Bar - Adult Prom Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Adult Prom Link
Potosi, Pages & Parcels - A Gift for Daddy: A Kidney Transplant Story Link
Prairie Du Sac, Wollersheim Winery - Seated Wine & Cocktail Tasting Link
Prairie Du Chien, The Tavern - Live with The Ramblin’ Ryne and the Jones Link
LaValle, Trail Break Cafe Pizzeria - Charcoal Drawing Event “Sweet Town” Link
LaCrosse, Rivoli Theatre - Riv Kids Party Link
Arkdale, The Mill - Pints & Pieces: The Ultimate Jigsaw Showdown Link-
Arena, Trader’s Bar - 8th Annual Kid’s Fisheree Link
Viroqua, Historic Temple Theatre - Live with Dailey & Vincent Link
Lancaster, Grant County Fairgrounds - Holistic Wellness Fair Link
La Crescent, Lions Club - Frozen Apple Candlelight Hike Link
Winona, Bubs Brewing Co - Comedy Night Link
Platteville, Municipal Airport - Winter Fly-In/Drive-In Chili Feed Link
Coon Valley, Coon Valley Dairy Supply - La Boutique - French Farmhouse Market Link
Monroe, Library - Hat Knitting Class Link
Lancaster, Library - Sue Mumm Artist Reception Link
Belleville, Sugar River Lanes - Live with The Dawg Bones Link
Mineral Point, Eliza’s Lounge - Live with Meeker & Maiden Link
Avoca, Whiskey Row Saloon - Live with 2nd Generation Band Link
Lime Ridge, Branding Iron - Wood-Fired Oven Pizza Night Link
Prairie Du Sac, River Arts Inc. - Oil & Cold Wax Exploratory Link
Belleville, Sugar River Lanes - Valentine’s Scottish Doubles Link
LaCrosse, Pearl Street Brewery - Stand-Up Comedy Night Link
Yuba, Kenny’s - Live with Cousins K&J Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Live with Bernard Quipot Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed - Live with Kaleb Woods Link
Platteville, Crossroads Supper Club - Comedy Show Link
New Glarus, Dirty Dog Taphaus and Eatery - Live with Mark Malin Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery - Live with Julie B Link
Spring Green, General Store - Live with Don Greenwood Link
Boscobel, Mt. Zion Pub - Comedy Night Link
Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery - Live with Long Gone Henry Link
Muscoda, English Prairie Distilling Company - Live with Ann Christoffer Link
Hillsboro, Let’s Shine Coffee - Live with BAMM Duo Link
Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar - Live with Todd Madland Link
New Glarus, Ott Haus Pub & Grill - Karaoke Link
Westby, Performing Arts Center - Live with Collin Raye Link
Viola, Harry’s Prohibition Bar - Adult Prom Link
SUNDAY 2/16
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel - Live with John Smith featuring Dan Sebranek and Elisi Smith-Waller Link
Brooklyn, Main St Event Venue - Open Country Jam & B-Day Celebration for Mark Peterson Link
Onalaska, Omni Center - Public Open Skate Link
Bangor, Leo & Leona’s - 5th Annual Cajun Fest Link
Monroe, Spilled Grapes Wine Bar - Book Club Link
Baraboo, Frankies - Euchre Sunday Funday Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co - Beer & Food Pairing Dinner Link
New Glarus, Bailey’s Run Vineyard - Live with Jesse Bauman Link
Cross Plains, Ice Age Trail - 3rd Annual Group Run Link
Cross Plains, KurNiki’s - Live with Richardson’s Acoustic Link
Dodgeville, Dodger Bowl Lanes - Free Community Bowling Day Link
Milton, 59er Bar & Grill - Meat Raffle Link
Dubuque, Stone Cliff Winery - Live with Shannon Woulfe Link
Spring Green, General Store - Acoustic Jam Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery - Live with Mike Droho Link
MONDAY 2/17
TUESDAY 2/18
We will check in again next week.
Let us know any events / establishments you would like to be added to this list via IG @driftlesstribe or email [email protected]
If someone forwarded this to you, time to make the leap and join the Tribe!
👇👇👇