Archibald and Laura Mitchell moved from Iowa and settled in the Green Lake area in 1845. In 1861 they purchased 160 acres of land in the town of Brooklyn from James Powell. They built their house 40 yards to the south of the big falls. Archibald & Laura raised twelve children at their farm.
Stephen Decatur Mitchell was the third son of Archibald & Laura Mitchell. The family called him Decatur, but most knew him as S.D. Mitchell. At one time S.D. was the state G.A.R. Commander and was a noted collector of Indian relics. He sold his first Indian relic collection to build his house, that still stands on the rounded hill near the glen proper. After his house was built, he started to accumulate his second collection. At this time, he assisted state geologists and others to identify ancient mounds and native American historical caches. He built a museum with a loft on the property to house his collection of copper, silver, lead, stone, bone, and pottery. He also displayed stuffed animals and birds. He advertised the wonders of Mitchell’s Glen with posters describing and picturing the glen, gorge, the waterfalls, and the log museum displays. A huge arched sign helped guide the thousands of visitors each year who paid their twenty-five cents to experience the wonders of the glen and the museum.
S.D. Mitchell’s second collection was sold to the Oshkosh Public Museum and a portion of his extensive rock collect stayed at the site for many years.
Mitchell’s Glen is now owned by the Green Lake Conservatory and is open for guided tours twice a year, guided by local geologist and educator Tom Eddy.

Green Lake Conservancy Mitchell Glen Tour page
Green Lake Conservancy Mission Statement

Historical information taken from Heritage History of Green Lake p343-347