Frank's Hill invites the public for the upcoming autumnal equinox
Sep 14, 2026, 3:42 PM CT
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Members of the public are invited to welcome the changing of seasons at Frank’s Hill, an ancient effigy mound site in southern Richland County, during the upcoming autumnal equinox. Fall officially arrives at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd, and visitors are encouraged to gather at this historic location to observe the sunset, bid farewell to summer, and welcome autumn. In addition to sunset gatherings, early risers can view the final sunrise of summer on the morning of September 22nd or the first sunrise of autumn on Wednesday, September 23rd. The site is also open for visiting during the day or over the weekend preceding the equinox.
On Tuesday evening, September 22nd, the Three Eagles Foundation will provide a guided tour starting at 6:00 p.m. Attendees interested solely in observing the sunset should plan to arrive by 6:15 p.m. Reaching the summit requires a short hike to the top of the hill, where visitors will be rewarded with sweeping views of the lower Wisconsin River valley. Attendees are advised to bring a chair, blanket, water, snacks, and binoculars or a camera. Following the sunset, a campfire and social gathering will take place. All events remain weather-dependent.
Frank’s Hill holds a rich cultural and historical legacy and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The east ridge features a group of unique effigy mounds constructed over a thousand years ago during the Late Woodland period. Across Highway 193 on the west ridge, aligned features served as an ancient astronomical calendar tracking solar movements from spring to mid-summer. The surrounding region once held the highest concentration of bird-shaped mounds in the world. The Ho-Chunk Nation honors these mound builders as their forefathers and regards effigy mounds as deeply spiritual places.
Frank’s Hill is located two miles west of Muscoda near the intersection of Highway 60 and Highway 193. For additional details or directions, contact Mark Cupp at (608) 739-2179 or visit the Three Eagles Foundation website and Facebook page.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
