Origins of Lacrosse in Wisconsin
The game of lacrosse was first observed by Europeans in the 1630's, but it was very popular among Native Americans in the Northern Plains and Great Lakes area in the 1800's. The games were played between two tribes and would often last several days. Games could consist of up to 1,000 players. Games would typically stretch from one village to another. Tribes would often have many rituals before games as they treated it like war. Also, players and tribes would often wager valuable items or land. The rules for each game varied, but both tribes would agree on them. Games were won once one tribe reached a desired number of points decided before the game. Usually a tree or rock marked the goal for both tribes. The ball was about the size of a baseball. Either it was made of wood or a deer hide stuffed with hair. The lacrosse sticks were originally like giant wooden spoons. Eventually, sticks that were curved at the end with some sort of netting would be used.