Canfield Day

Sometime in 1850 William Canfield found his way to a cave about the size of a small cabin in hills in the Town of Honey Creek. Whether or not it was his first time to the cave we may never know but we know he was there because of an inscription that he left in the soft sandstone. He may have been alone but perhaps he was accompanied by his trustworthy horse, Pedro, who often carried his equipment for survey work.  Already the father of 3 children, Canfield was never busier since his arrival with his wife Cordelia in 1842, and yet, he took the time to leave behind something that he knew could last for centuries, his name and date. Ironically, it is one of the few tangible traces related to Canfield aside from the books and maps that he published. Any house he lived in is long gone and even his exact grave site is unknown. The 175-year-old inscription in the cave, made by the man himself, is a singular testament to his time here. Canfield’s legacy will be celebrated on Canfield Day, Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm at the history center in Baraboo. A presentation on the cave and the legacy of William Canfield  will be followed by an awards ceremony for the 2025 William H. Canfield Award for excellence in local history.