Peninsula State Park Memorial Pole Re-furbished

Restoration of the memorial pole on the Peninsula State Park Golf Course was recently completed. The pole marks the grave of Simon Onanguisse Kahquados, the last lineal descendant of a 600-year line of Potawatomi chiefs. The pole was dedicated in 1927, and in 1931 Kahquados was buried at the site in an elaborate ceremony.

The memorial pole’s artwork was designed by Door County Historian H.R. Holand, who led the effort to raise funds and create the pole. Charles M. Lesaar of Belgium sculpted the main portion of the pole. The six bands on the pole portray different aspects of Native American history.

The bear atop the memorial pole was originally carved by Robert Petschneider, a master carver from Kewaunee. It’s positioned to look over the bay to the Village of Ephraim.