Passenger Pigeon Monument

The Passenger Pigeon Monument stands in a quiet opening along Sentinel Ridge, where a simple stone pillar and bronze plaque look out over the Mississippi River bluffs—beautiful scenery paired with a sobering story. The area feels contemplative and serene: trees frame the sky, birdsong replaces the roar of crowds that once followed these birds, and visitors can linger at the monument to read its inscription while taking in the far-reaching views.

A small parking area and nearby road access make it easy to reach the monument, and a wide, mostly level section of the Sentinel Ridge Trail passes right by, allowing hikers and casual walkers alike to stop here as part of a loop between Point Lookout and the Mississippi River boat landing. Short connecting paths link the monument area to other interpretive signs and Indian mounds along the ridge, so it works well as either a quick stop or the centerpiece of a longer walk that combines natural beauty with thoughtful history.

Dedicated in 1947 by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, the monument commemorates the passenger pigeon, once the most numerous bird in North America and driven to extinction by the early 1900s, with the last known individual, Martha, dying in 1914. The stone shaft bears a bronze plaque designed by artist Owen Gromme and inscribed with words summarized from naturalist A. W. Schorger, and its dedication inspired Aldo Leopold’s famous essay “On a Monument to the Pigeon,” now regarded as one of the most powerful reflections on human-caused extinction. Today, the Wyalusing monument is a pilgrimage spot for birders, conservationists, and park visitors who come not only for the view but also to reckon with what was lost and what might still be saved.