Alonzo’s Album

Alonzo W. Pond (1894–1986) was a well-known, highly respected American archaeologist and speleogist.

Alonzo was born in 1984 in Janesville, WI, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Beloit College in 1920, and a master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago in 1928.

Pond was the camp Superintendent with CCC Company 633 from 1935 until December 1937. His expertise was instrumental in the successful archeological discovery of bison bones at Interstate Park.
He held various positions throughout his life: professor, field archaeologist in Algeria, project supervisor for the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corp, Manager at Cave of the Mounds (Wisconsin), editorial research specialist with the U.S. Airforce, author of five books, founded Wisconsin Gardens (a guided tour of the variety of northern Wisconsin terrain) and was Camp Superintendent with the CCC at both Wisconsin Interstate and Devil’s Lake State Parks.

Between 1934 and 1936, Pond directed the Civilian Conservation Corps excavations of colonial Jamestown, as well as CCC Trail building at Interstate and Devil’s Lake State Parks.

During the 1930’s and 1940’s he also lectured to schools and colleges throughout the United States, sharing his experiences as an anthropologist and archaeologist. Pond had a keen interest in explaining the world around him to others. He was a rather small man with leather boots laced almost to his knees, but what a giant of a man in
energy and intellectual capacity. He was highly respected in his field of study. He died on December 25, 1986, at the age of 92. He is buried in Janesville, Wisconsin.

His guidebook, “Interstate Park and Dalles of the St. Croix” was published in 1937. The book is based on his knowledge of the history, geology, archaeology and wildlife of the region. The book certainly adds to the visitors’ enjoyment of our area today. We invite you to look for a copy at our gift shop in the Ice Age Center at Interstate.