Badgerland Journal

Jean Nicolet

Jean Nicolet was the first documented exploration of Wisconsin by French explorers. He landed near the Bay of Green Bay and met with leaders of the local Ho-Chunk Nation. Sent by Samuel De Champlain to broker peace in hopes of expanding French fur trade further west. Tune in to learn more about Jean Nicolet and his place in Wisconsin history. Suggest a future episode! Contact us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/Badgerland.Podcast], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/badgerlandjournal/], ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ [https://x.com/badgerlandj] or send an email to badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Sources: “Arrival of the First Europeans.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS388. Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and Nicolet, 1634. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/amerbegin/contact/text6/hochunk.pdf. “Ho-Chunk History.” Milwaukee Public Museum. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.mpm.edu/content/wirp/ICW-150. “Jean Nicolet.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Nicolet. “Nicolet, Jean 1598-1642.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS1665.

America 250 - Philip Allen

In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, Badgerland Journal will be covering Revolutionary War veterans who served, later moved to Wisconsin and are interred in the state. The first of this series cover Philip Allen, whose family founded Allen's Grove Wisconsin. Philip Allen was present for the Siege of Boston at the Roxbury Garrison, Battle of Bennington and the surrender of British General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga. Tune in to learn more about Wisconsin's connection to the Revolution. Let us know how you liked the podcast or suggest new ideas! Contact us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/Badgerland.Podcast], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/badgerlandjournal/], ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ [https://x.com/badgerlandj] or send an email to badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Sources: Barrett, Brian. “Half Moon as a Revolutionary War Camp.” New York Almanack, January 31, 2021. https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2019/02/half-moon-as-a-revolutionary-war-camp/. “Bennington.” American Battlefield Trust. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/bennington. Brustman, Bob. “Rediscovering Roxbury’s Revolutionary Role.” Harvard Gazette, April 6, 2006. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2006/04/rediscovering-roxburys-revolutionary-role/. “History of Allen Grove.” Wisconsin Historical Society, January 1, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Newspaper/BA4607. “Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17814, Philip Allen, Mass.” National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/53807149. “Saratoga.” American Battlefield Trust. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/saratoga.

Shipwreck of the J.C. Ames

On May 13th 2025 the shipwreck of the Tugboat J.S. Ames was found in Manitowoc Bay. The ship lay within The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary which was recently designated in 2021. This episode talks about the history of both the J.S. Ames as well as the creation of the Oceanic Atmospheric Administrations newest National Marine Sanctuary. Let us know what other shipwrecks we should cover! Contact us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/Badgerland.Podcast], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/badgerlandjournal/], ⁠Twitter⁠ [https://x.com/badgerlandj] or send an email to badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Sources: “J.C. Ames.” Wisconsin Shipwrecks. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/859?region=Index. Looby, Caitlin. “Wisconsin Angler Discovers One of the Largest Tugboats in Great Lakes History off Manitowoc.” Journal Sentinel, May 19, 2025. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2025/05/19/historic-tugboat-scrapped-off-manitowoc-discovered-by-wisconsin-angler/83722830007/. Looby, Caitlin. “Wisconsin’s National Marine Sanctuary Is a Museum Beneath the Water.” Journal Sentinel, March 21, 2024. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2024/03/21/what-to-know-about-wisconsins-marine-sanctuary-in-lake-michigan/73022115007/.

Lincoln & Liberty Too

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ralph and Mary Ehlinger to discuss their play Lincoln and Liberty Too. The story is based on their ancestor Peter Ehlinger who served in the Civil War, was captured, and died in Andersonville Prison. Tune in to learn about how they turned their family history into a compelling story about family, hope and faith. Let us know what other Wisconsin Heroes we should cover! Contact us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/Badgerland.Podcast], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/badgerlandjournal/], ⁠Twitter⁠ [https://x.com/badgerlandj] or send an email to badgerlandjournal@gmail.com

Richard Bong

Poplar Wisconsin produced one of the best fighter pilots in U.S. History. Richard Bong became known as the Ace of All Aces after he shot down 40 Japanese airplanes. While he cemented his place in history as an American hero, his life came to a tragic end shortly before the end of the war. Tune in to learn more about the history of Richard Bong. Let us know what other Wisconsin Heroes we should cover! Contact us on ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/Badgerland.Podcast], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/badgerlandjournal/], Twitter [https://x.com/badgerlandj] or send an email to badgerlandjournal@gmail.com Sources: “Bong Given Promotion; Now Major.” Leader-Telegram. April 15, 1944. “Bong Hunts in South Dakota.” Leader-Telegram. January 20, 1945. “Bong, Bride Honeymooning.” The La Crosse Tribune, February 12, 1945. Clements, Olen W. “Maj. Bong Grounded Indefinitely; Wants to Keep up Combat Flying.” The La Crosse Tribune, April 15, 1944. Lauritsen, John. “Explorers Find What They Believe Is Richard Bong’s Downed Plane in Jungle Ravine.” CBS News, May 24, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/explorers-find-what-they-believe-is-richard-bongs-downed-plane-in-jungle-ravine/. “Leaving Bong Alone.” Monroe Evening Times, January 12, 1945. “Maj. Bong Insurance Pay Cancelled Due to Jet Plane Flight.” The La Crosse Tribune, August 2, 1946. “Major Bong Dies in Jet Plane Crash.” The La Crosse Tribune, August 7, 1945. Malloryk. “Major Richard Bong’s Medal of Honor.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, June 13, 2021. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/richard-bong-medal-of-honor. “Marjorie Bong Is Wed in Hollywood.” Janesville Daily Gazette, October 31, 1946. Miller, Jane. “Air Situation Changed.” Leader-Telegram. November 17, 1943. “Mrs. Bong Given Many Job Offers.” Waukesha Daily Freeman, March 18, 1946. “Richard Bong.” Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/richardbong. “Richard Ira Bong.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2324. “Who Is Richard Bong?” Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, May 28, 2024. https://bongcenter.org/about/who-is-major-richard-i-bong/.