An ancient Native American site with earthwork mounds, also known as Trempealeau, has been studied near the village through archeological excavations in the 21st century.

It is theorized as a possible mission site or colony of Cahokia, the major center of Mississippian culture from 1000CE to 1450CE located 500 miles to the south in present-day Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri.

Studies have been done through the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center associated with the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Archeologists Danielle Benden[6] and Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt said they have found some evidence of Mississippian settlement about 1050E.

[7][6] The archeology site is slightly downriver of the prominent landmark, Trempealeau Mountain.

In 2013 evidence was found of several former structures that exhibited characteristics of Mississippian style.

[9] The village was named by a French explorer after a nearby island in the Mississippi River.