Thousands of Native American artifacts found on golf site

Plans for a high end golf course on the shores of Lake Michigan could be affected after over 25,000 culturally important pieces of Native American history were discovered, some dating back more than 2,000 years.  The pieces were unearthed in an archaeological study and the findings are said to be ‘significant’.   The items are said to date back to the late Archaic period which is between 1200 BC and 100 BC, with most of the artifacts coming from the Woodland-era Indians, whose most recent inhabitants lived between 400 and 1100 AD.

The site of the propsed golf course on the banks of Lake Michigan

The land is to be developed by Kohler Co. but the find could affect the design and layout of the 18 hole course if they are required to avoid areas of importance.   Kohler Co. have said they will create a ‘minimalist design that respects the land’ and construct a course whilst respecting past cultures that have lived there.

The plans have been met with fierce opposition from local environmental groups with concerns about the ecological impacts on shoreline dunes and wetlands on the land in between Lake Michigan and the Black River.

Propsed plans for the course

In a statement, Jim Richerson, group director of golf at Kohler, said: "We believe we can and will develop a golf course that will avoid, minimize and mitigate adverse impacts while enhancing the natural beauty of the land."

He added: "Kohler Co. has owned this land for more than 75 years, and this project will help us learn about those who came before us and our state's rich history. ...This is an important historical opportunity for education and discovery that could have remained unknown without our project."

But Mary Faydash, a member of the Friends of the Black River Forest, which opposes the golf course, said artifacts should remain undisturbed. "This land needs to be preserved for posterity — not for a golf course," Faydash said.