Not-A-Pe-Ka-Gon Site | |
Location | near S Custer Road and the Pere Marquette R[2][3] |
---|---|
Nearest city | Custer, Michigan |
Coordinates | 43°56′10″N 86°13′12″W / 43.93611°N 86.22000°W |
Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
NRHP reference No. | 73002155[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | July 27, 1973 |
Designated MSHS | November 18, 1993[2] |
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[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]
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.[2] 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.[2]
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]