Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site

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[1] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[3]

Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site
Locationnear S Custer Road and the Pere Marquette R[1][2]
Nearest cityCuster, Michigan
Coordinates43°56′10″N 86°13′12″W
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
NRHP reference No.73002155[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 27, 1973
Designated MSHSNovember 18, 1993[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.[1] 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.[1]

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. "Notipekago Commemorative Designation". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  2. 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.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  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


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