Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Visitors Guide by nicoles_ads

FREE GRANT COUNTY Gateway to Southwest Wisconsin

Pull-out recreational map highlighting ATV, snowmobile & bike trails and canoe rivers and trout streams. 7 DRIVING TOURS INSIDE

2018 Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide | hiddenvalleys.com | Celebrating Our 41st Year

2 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

We Welcome You to the Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin! Greetings and thank you for viewing our publication. It is my honor to serve as president for Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin and to help promote the treasures of our nine counties. Operating with an all-volunteer board, Hidden Valleys has been in existence for over 40 years. Throughout those years, many individuals have contributed to the success of our organization. Their willingness to devote countless hours toward sharing the wonders of our area is testament to how proud and privileged we feel to live in such a unique part of Wisconsin. On behalf of our organization, I invite you to explore the beauty of Hidden Valleys and experience the exceptional nature of our driftless region. I would like to personally thank, with great admiration, all current and past Hidden Valleys board members, staff, and sales people for their tremendous efforts to the Hidden Valleys organization. Without their help, this organization would not exist. Additionally, I would like to thank each of the nine member counties for their continued support toward helping us share our unique gifts, by connecting the communities of the Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Joe Fisher

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Table of Contents GREEN COUNTY • greencounty.org ...................................................................6-13 Albany • Brodhead • Monroe • Monticello • New Glarus

IOWA COUNTY • iowacounty.org • iowacountyedc.org .............................. 14-22 Cobb • Dodgeville • Highland • Hyde • Mineral Point Governor Dodge State Park • Blackhawk Lake State Park

VERNON COUNTY • driftlesswisconsin.com.................................................23-33 Chaseburg • Coon Valley • De Soto • Genoa • Hillsboro • La Farge Ontario • Readstown • Stoddard • Viola • Viroqua • Westby

Contact Hidden Valleys, Inc. 608.562.6450 | 1.800.592.6968 email: hv@mwt.net hiddenvalleys.com P. O. Box 176 Camp Douglas, WI 54618 Office - Sandy Williams | 608.562.6450 Contact office for sales representative information. Like us on facebook.com/HiddenValleys

County Tourism/ Resource Contacts CRAWFORD Sherry Quamme – 608.734.9077 GRANT GCEDC – 866.472.6894 or 608.822.3501 GREEN Noreen Rueckert – 608.328.1838 IOWA Paul Ohlrogge – 608.930.9850 JUNEAU Tamaya Oldenhoff – 608.427.2070 LAFAYETTE Abby Haas – 608.776.4860 MONROE Joan Kuderer – 608.269.8722 RICHLAND Lon Arbegust – 608.604.5034 VERNON Diane McGinnis – 608.637.5379 Sue Noble – 608.638.8332 (Vernon Economic Development Assoc.)

WINERIES AND VINEYARDS DRIVING TOUR............................................ 34-36 RICHLAND COUNTY • co.richland.wi.us • richlandcentertourism.com ..37-43 Boaz • Cazenovia (our only lake) • Gotham • Lone Rock • Richland Center Rockbridge • Viola • Yuba

JUNEAU COUNTY • juneaucounty.com ........................................................44-52 Camp Douglas • Elroy • Finley • Hustler • Lyndon Station • Mather • Mauston Necedah • New Lisbon • New Minor • Sprague • Union Center • Wonewoc

HEART OF HIDDEN VALLEYS DRIVING TOUR ......................................... 53-54 GRANT COUNTY • co.grant.wi.gov • grantcounty.org/tourism ............... 55-56 Bagley • Beetown • Bloomington • Blue River • Boscobel • Cassville Cuba City • Dickeyville • Fennimore • Hazel Green • Kieler • Lancaster Livingston • Montfort • Mount Hope • Mt. Ida • Muscoda • Platteville Potosi • Sinsinawa • Stitzer • Tennyson • Woodman

CENTERFOLD MAP of Southwest Wisconsin hiddenvalleys.com • Explore the Hidden Valleys! LAKES, TRAILS AND STREAMS DRIVING TOUR ...................................... 66-67 MONROE COUNTY • gomonroecounty.com .................................................68-77 Cashton • Cataract • Fort McCoy • Kendall • Leon • Melvina • Norwalk Oakdale • Sparta • Tomah • Tunnel City • Warrens • Wilton • Wyeville

CHEESE COUNTRY TOUR ................................................................................78-80 CRAWFORD COUNTY • crawfordcountywi.org ............................................81-88 Ferryville • Gays Mills • Lynxville • Mount Sterling • Prairie Du Chien Seneca • Soldiers Grove • Steuben • Wauzeka

LAFAYETTE COUNTY • co.lafayette.wi.gov .................................................. 89-97 Argyle • Belmont • Benton • Blanchardville • Darlington • Fayette • Gratiot Hazel Green • New Diggings • Shullsburg • South Wayne • Wiota • Woodford

ADVENTURING INTO HIDDEN VALLEYS DRIVING TOUR .....................98-99 THE GREAT RIVER ROAD DRIVING TOUR • wiggrr.com ..................... 100-103 BIKES AND BERRIES DRIVING TOUR • gomonroecounty.com .........104-106

Cover photo taken by

Judy Hazen (ATV photo) Boscobel Chamber of Commerce (3 small cover photos) Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin is produced by 50 Plus Publications, Inc., 128 Cottonwood Ave., Hartland, WI 53029 262.367.5303 | 50plusnewsmag.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS .................................................................................107-125 TOPICAL INDEX ................................................................................................ 126-129 Hidden Valleys Connecting Communities Since 1977 In loving memory of: Luella ‘Lou’ Vosberg - Grant County Vern Lewison - Grant County Robert ‘Bob’ Thomas - Iowa County

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GREEN COUNTY

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

Welcome to Green County Don’t Miss... · Sugar River Overlook Park, Albany · Lake Belle View, Belleville · Pearl Island Corridor, Brodhead · Brooklyn Wildlife Area, Brooklyn · Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area, Browntown · Badger State Trail, Monroe · Lake Montesian, Monticello · New Glarus Woods State Park

Welcome to southern Wisconsin’s Green County! We invite you to: Get outside. A river ideal for canoeing, and trails or back roads perfect for biking. The only ATV trail in southern Wisconsin. Parks and prairies.

Monroe Chamber of Commerce 1505 9th St • Monroe, WI 53566 608.325.7648 contact@monroechamber.org www.monroechamber.org

Look around. Cows grazing the hillsides, picturesque dairy farms, and barn quilts dotting the rural landscape with splashes of color. Meet the locals. Friendly natives, vibrant downtowns, specialty shops, bakeries, diners, and local pubs.

National Historic Cheesemaking Center 2108 6th Ave • Monroe, WI 53566 608.325.4636 nationalhistoriccheesemakingcenter.org info@greencountywelcomecenter.org

Be entertained. Live music and theater. Galleries and museums. Concerts on the square. Concerts in the park. Eat, drink, yodel. Cheese and beer (a match made in heaven). Swiss traditions and cuisine. Festivals for every season.

Main Street Monroe 1717 10th St. • Monroe, WI 53566 608.328.4023 mainstreetmonroe.org monroemainstreet@tds.net

THE HOME OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Monroe welcome you to visit our historic downtown and stay to discover what makes us so proud of our city.

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GREEN COUNTY You’ll soon discover there’s an art to experiencing life and all its rich bounty the right way—here in Green County.

n HERITAGE AND CULTURE Long before white settlers appeared in Green County, members of the Winnebago nation (now Ho-Chunk) lived off the land— hunting, fishing, foraging, and farming. Later came Irish, Scottish, Scandinavians, Germans, and other “Yankees” who had first settled in the New England states. In 1845, a group of Swiss immigrants founded New Glarus. Their first attempts at farming involved raising swine and planting turnips. Eventually the settlers purchased a herd of brown Swiss cows. This innovative approach, first to survival and then to advancement, eventually proved that what the resourceful Swiss lacked in knowledge of farming, they more than made up for in their experience in raising dairy cows.

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

Commercial cheese making followed, with Green County on the map as “Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA.” Those Swiss roots established more than 150 years ago are evident today in festivals, cuisine, folk art and architecture, and the herds of Brown Swiss grazing the rolling hills. Is everyone here Swiss? Nope. We’re as diverse in cultural heritage as we are in opinions, or the variety of cheese produced—ranging from traditional European flavors, like Limburger and Brick— to other perhaps less-expected ethnic origins, like Hispanic (Queso Fresco), Italian (Mozzarella), and Greek (Feta). Green County is truly a melting pot. You know, the kind used to serve cheese fondue. Picture a cozy table surrounded by friends, a basket of good crusty bread, tall tales, and warm conversation along with a glass of wine or favorite local brew.

n GREEN COUNTY CHEESE Melted, shredded, cubed or deep fried… there are so many ways to enjoy our cheese! Green County has been referred to as the epicenter of Wisconsin cheesemaking. Here’s why: LIMBURGER CHEESE. Notoriously aromatic, Chalet Cheese Company near Monroe is the lone producer of this delicacy in the entire United States. Enjoy it with mustard and onion, or topped with jam for a sweet treat. BIG WHEEL SWISS. Giant wheels of Old World Emmenthaler weighing in at 180-pounds, dating back to origins in Switzerland when

n TASTES AND TOURS Green County is home to a dozen creameries producing more than 50 varieties of award-winning artisan cheese. See cheese being made (and get a taste!) at Alp & Dell in Monroe. Try the Grand Cru Surchoix – an alpine style cheese that took honors as “best on the planet” at the 2016

FONDUE. The Swiss national dish. CURDS. If you’re looking for a squeaky snack, nothing beats the fun of a fresh cheese curd. DEEP FRIED CURDS. Local restaurants put their own spin on these bite-size bits of ooey, gooey goodness by spicing up the batter or offering a signature sauce on the side.

cheese was taxed by the piece not the pound. Edelweiss Creamery near Monticello is the only factory in America to craft these.

GREEN COUNTY CHEESE DAYS FESTIVAL. An every-other-year tradition dating back to 1914. There’s even a cheesy mascot named Wedgie in the shape of an oversize wedge of Swiss.

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GREEN COUNTY

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

y n a b l A

On the Sugar River and the Sugar River State Bicycle Trail Visit us for Yesteryear Weekend - Memorial Day Weekend Fall Festival - 1st Saturday in October Enchanted Christmas - 1st Saturday in December 206 North Water Street, Albany, Wisconsin 53502 608-862-3240 Website albanywi.org

World Championship Cheese Contest. The wheels are crafted at Emmi Roth USA, adjacent to the cheese store. Many factories have stores on site, and locally made cheese is for sale at stores and factory outlets. Green County proudly boasts two breweries crafting favorites like Spotted Cow (“Only in Wisconsin” from the New Glarus Brewing Company), and Huber Bock from Minhas Craft Brewery in downtown Mon-

103 N. Water Street | 608. 862.3959 Come In & Try One Of Our Tasty & Delicious Hamburgers! Shuffle Board & Pool Friday Night Fish Fry & Shrimp

S&B

roe. New Glarus Brewing Company offers self-guided tours, a tasting room, beer depot, and panoramic views from their outdoor garden area. Minhas Craft Brewery offers guided tours and a step back into history with lore and legend celebrating the nation’s second-oldest brewery. Also in Monroe—Minhas Micro Distillery and Winery, with both offering tastes. Nearby in Browntown is Hawk’s Mill Winery with a view over the vineyard and beyond to the countryside. A recently added outdoor pavilion makes this the perfect venue for live music on sunny summer afternoons. You can also visit their tasting room in downtown New Glarus. Sausages crafted from Old World recipes offer another taste of Green County’s traditions. Each meat market puts its own spin on the popular landjaegger, a jerkylike snack stick of Swiss origin. Other locally-sourced edibles include candy, fudge, bakery, and yogurt.

OUTDOORS

Green County various outdoor recreation options: Pearl Island (Brodhead) – 180-acre recreational corridor with trails, piers, bird watching, and fishing. Bring your kayak, your SUP or your bike, or just your walking shoes.

Tubing • Canoeing Kayaking

Browntown Cadiz Springs Recreation Area – featuring boat launch, playground and beach, and nature trails.

100 East Main Street Albany, Wisconsin

New Glarus Woods State Park – prairie and wooded areas, “Bison Trail” with interpretive signage, playground, and campsites.

608.862.3933 Open Summers 7 Days a Week

sandbtubing.com

Sugar River – fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing.

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Lake Belle View (Belleville) – canoe loop, fishing platforms, and a berm which doubles as a bike and pedestrian pathway. Lake Montesian and Montesian Gardens (Monticello) – kayak, fish, or take a stroll among the blooming splendor. Sugar River State Trail – begins at the New Glarus Depot with optional detour through New Glarus Woods State Park. The trail intersects with the Badger State Trail near Monticello, crosses wooden bridges toward Albany, and goes through a covered bridge

GREEN COUNTY

before reaching the southern trailhead in Brodhead.

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

a picnic shelter. Cheese Country Trail – 47-mile multi-use trail enjoyed by motorized users on ATV, UTV, and off-road motorcycle. There is a large trailer parking lot at the trailhead (near Badger Ethanol in Monroe).

Badger State Trail – with a northern connection to Madison and a southern connection to Illinois. Bring a flashlight to make your way through the darkest trail tunnel in Wisconsin, south of Belleville. The Monroe trailhead (adjacent to Twining Park) features

Snowmobiling – Green County has a net-

Discover a Taste of Switzerland in New Glarus, Wisconsin Modern convenience combined with Old World charm . . .

Chalet Landhaus Inn

• 66 comfortable rooms plus whirlpool suites • Alpine restaurant serving breakfast daily, Swiss & American cuisine • Indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, fitness room • Conference & meeting rooms • 2 blocks from New Glarus Hotel & shops Located directly on the • Groups Welcome! Motor coach parking Sugar River Hike & Bike Trail. www.chaletlandhaus.com 801 Hwy. 69, New Glarus, WI 53574 | (800) 944-1716 or (608) 527-5234

work of “club trails” maintained by snowmobile clubs. Call 888.222.9111 for a map.

BARN QUILTS

Check out one of the largest outdoor art installations in Wisconsin—with nearly 150 barn quilts along the roads less traveled! Step-on guides are available for group tours, or request a Barn Quilt map to plan your own route. For more information, visit greencountybarnquilts.com.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Below are some events you won’t want to miss in 2018. For updates visit the calendar at greencounty.org. Breakfast on the Farm – Monticello (May) Farm tours, vendors, entertainment. Yesteryear’s Weekend – Albany (Memorial Day weekend) Community celebration with music, food, parade.

Discover the historic New Glarus Hotel, in the center of America's "Little Switzerland!" Built by Swiss immigrants in 1853, the Hotel has long been a landmark known for its fine Swiss cuisine, Swiss atmosphere and entertainment. • • • •

Groups welcome! Special Group Menus Serving lunch & dinner 7 days a week Sunday brunch In the heart of New Glarus ~ surrounded by unique shops and near 2 local museum attractions • Live music every Friday & Saturday evenings

100 6th Ave., New Glarus, WI 53574 (800) 727-9477 or (608) 527-5244 | www.newglarushotel.com

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GREEN COUNTY

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

Polka Fest – New Glarus (June) Live music all weekend. Summerfest – Browntown (June) Fish boil, tractor pull, fireworks. Music in the Park – Belleville (summer) Concert series. Homecoming – Monticello (July) Music, food, parade, tug of war, fireworks over Lake Montesian. Covered Bridge Days – Brodhead (August) Old-time thresheree, tractor pull, pontoon boat rides, Wildflower Art Festival. Green County Cheese Days - Monroe (mid-September) Entertainment stages, parades, cheese tent, cow milking contest, tractor show, deep fried cheese curds. Oktoberfest – New Glarus (last weekend in September) Live music, gemütlichkeit, ceremonial tapping of a keg of Staghorn from New Glarus Brewing Company. Community Highlights:

ALBANY

Sugar River recreation, bike trail, local history at community museum. Lodging: bed and breakfast.

BRODHEAD

Pearl Island, bike trail, railroad and local history at depot museum. Lodging: bed and breakfast.

BROWNTOWN

Winery, Cheese Country ATV trail, Cadiz Springs Recreation Area (kayak and canoe, lake and natural wetlands, fishing, interpretive nature trails), local history at Brown-

Alp & Dell Cheese Store 657 2nd St., Monroe

(Near intersection Hwy. 11/81 and AmericInn)

Free Samples • Bargain Bin Over 125 specialty cheeses, plus wine & beer for sale. Let us suggest the perfect pairing. Guided Cheese Factory Tours M-F 10 a.m.

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GREEN COUNTY

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

The Southern Gateway to Hidden Valleys, Green County, the Sugar River Trail and Beyond! 2018 Calendar of Events JULY 28 Amish Quilt Auction AUGUST 10-12 Covered Bridge Days and MAY 20 EAA Chapter 431 Annual Wildflower Art Festival – Art Show, Pancake Breakfast Horse Show, Classic Car Show, Pontoon MAY 26-28 Brodhead Historical Museum Opens Boat Rides, Tractor Pulls, Thresheree JUNE 9 City Wide Rummage Sale AUGUST 12 Final Twilight Concert in the Park JUNE 17 Begin Summer Twilight Concerts in OCTOBER 6 Autumnfest – Chili contest, the Park Children’s Games, Pontoon Boat Rides, JULY 4 Annual Parade at noon: Hay Rides, Vendors, Music, Food Fireworks at dusk Brodhead Historical Museum Closes

PRESCRIPTION FLU SHOTS COMPOUNDING REFILLS & VACCINES SERVICES

PINNOW | (608) 897-2595 1028 1ST CENTER AVENUE BRODHEAD, WI 53520

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: P.O. Box 16 • Broadhead, WI 53520 Phone: 608-897-8411 www.broadheadchamber.org NOVEMBER 3 Jaycees Fall Arts and Crafts Fair DECEMBER 7-8 Fire and Ice Festival – Lighted Parade, Car give away, Ice Sculpture, Food

COMPETITIVE DELIVERY PRICING AVAILABLE

MONROE | (608) 325-2151 1008 17TH AVENUE MONROE, WI 53566

NEW GLARUS | (608) 527-2517 1101 WISCONSIN-69 #7 NEW GLARUS, WI 53574

2207 1st Center Ave, Brodhead, WI Sun-Mon 4-9 • Tues-Thurs 11-9 • Fri-Sat 11-11

Lunch

Dinner

Delivery

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GREEN COUNTY

there’s an art to it. | greencounty.org

town Community Museum. Lodging: bed and breakfast.

n • Located on the Sugar River Bike Trail connecting to the Badger State Trail • Shops, dining and attractions within walking distance • Pets welcome • Free Hi-Speed Internet Your Hosts The Gobeli Family

Call (608) 527-2138 www.swissaire.com 1200 Highway 69 New Glarus, WI 53574

MONROE

Badger State Trail, Cheese Country ATV Trail, Historic Courthouse Square, shopping, brewery, winery, distillery, National Historic Cheesemaking Center and Imobersteg Farmstead Factory, local history and genealogy at Green County Historical Museum, Turner Hall, Monroe Arts Center, Monroe Theatre Guild, movie theater and outdoor drive-in, bowling, roller-skating, public pool, golf course. Lodging: bed and breakfast, motel, camping.

MONTICELLO

Intersection of Badger State and Sugar River State Trails, Montesian Gardens, Lake Montesian (canoe, kayak, fish, picnic), quilt shop, cheese factory outlet, local history and genealogy at Monticello Area Historical Society Museum. Lodging: extended stay.

1201 State Highway 69 | 608-636-2121

NEW GLARUS

Hiking and biking on the Sugar River State Trail, New Glarus Woods State Park (interpretive trails, prairie, and camping), New Glarus Brewing Company, Chalet of the Golden Fleece museum, history and genealogy at Swiss Historical Village, golf course, mini golf, public pool, and shopping. Lodging: hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, vacation home rental, camping.

TOWN BANK

102 W. Main Street • Albany

608-282-4830

Wintrust Community Banks ranks “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking in the Midwest”

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GREEN COUNTY

thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an art to it. | greencounty.org

Belleville

Brooklyn

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Dayton

New Glarus D

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New Glarus Woods State Park J

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Browntown-Cadiz Springs Browntown State Recreation Area

10 Miles

Green County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events, and more visit greencounty.org 888.222.9111 | tourism@greencounty.org

City

Natural Area

Community

State & County Park Bike Route Snowmobile Trail River

US Highway State Highway County Road

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IOWA COUNTY

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

Welcome to Iowa County

Miles and miles of magnificent views... canoe trips past rock bluffs and bucolic scenery...live theater under the stars... award-winning cheeses...handcrafted beers and wines...artist demonstrations... historic site tours...architectural marvels... native prairie restorations...world-class golf...challenging bicycle rides...hands-on workshops...picturesque hikes...fishing... outsider art...out of the ordinary shopping... delicious dining...charming places to spend the night. All of that and much more await you in Iowa County. Untouched by the glaciers, the county lies in the unglaciated “driftless” area where rolling hills and rugged sandstone bluffs stand proud, giving shape to a landscape of wooded hills, rock ravines, and the cultivated

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin

mosaic of farm fields. You can enjoy nature at its best in Iowa County. Pack a picnic and your camera and get ready for some great outdoor adventures, like hiking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing, bird-watching…and more. Rolling hills, beautiful vistas, and a night sky where you can still see stars. Treat yourself to a relaxing dose of nature and enjoy the splendor of each season in turn. This is where Wisconsin began. You can stand on the spot where, in 1836, Henry Dodge was sworn in as the first governor of the newly formed Wisconsin Territory, an area that included portions of what would become the states of Iowa, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. When Dodge

House on the Rock

14 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Don’t Miss… • Governor Dodge State Park • Blue Mound State Park • Tower Hill State Park • Cave of the Mounds • House on the Rock • Montfort Wind Farm • Pendarvis Historical Site • Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin • American Players Theatre • Military Ridge State Trail • The Many Historic Districts

IOWA COUNTY arrived, the primary attraction was lead mining. Thousands of tons of the mineral were shipped out of the county by wagon, train, and water. Wisconsin’s nickname, the Badger state, originated with these early miners. Unsure of how long they would stay and anxious to start mining, they built temporary housing by digging holes into sidehills, mimicking the burrowing habits of badgers. Mining days are past, but stories and historical artifacts are right below the surface. Visitors can recall these days at many sites throughout the county that preserve this important part of Wisconsin’s history. As mining declined, the fertile valleys and rolling hills came under cultivation with the great influx of immigrant farmers. Agriculture remains at the heart of Iowa County. Dairy and beef herds still dot our hillsides, and other innovative agriculture is also emerging, including alpaca, deer, organic vegetable, and tree farming. Iowa County is home to numerous outstanding attractions that are visited by guests from around the world. You, too, can find yourself immersed in history, the arts, and a variety of cultural activities. Plus, if you’re looking for interesting shopping, visit Mineral Point, Dodgeville, and many of our charming villages and towns. You will not only find a unique and creative selection of products, but friendly people, and a comfortable pace of life.

ENJOY OUR ATTRACTIONS…

American Players Theatre, located on 110 wooded acres, has grown to become one of the largest and best-regarded theaters of its kind in the country. Each season, the hilltop amphitheater plays host to romance, deceit, drama, and laughter with the greatest stories under the sun, the moon, and the stars. playinthewoods.org. Botham Vineyards, located at 8180 Langberry Road, Barneveld. Vine-to-bottle has been a fundamental part of our winemaking philosophy for more than 25 years. Visit our tasting room, housed in a historic renovated barn, sample our wines and learn more about our uncommon approach to winemaking. Dodge Mining Camp Cabin, built in 1827, has been designated Iowa County’s oldest building. The interpretive center documents the story of Governor Henry Dodge, the Black Hawk War, the crude beginnings of

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

lead mining in Iowa County, and the actual construction handiwork of lead miners more than 170 years ago. 608.935.7694. Folklore Village is a nationally recognized folk arts center, presenting a year-round schedule of dances, concerts, participatory weekend events, folk school classes, and family programs. 608.924.4000 www.folklorevillage.org Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, where the world famous architect lived and worked in Wisconsin, is a place of pilgrimage for Wright’s admirers from around the world. Guided tours of Taliesin and Hillside School, as well as walking tours of the grounds, are available. taliesinpreservation.org. Global View, at 6595 Clyde Road, includes a Buddhist teaching and healing center, and a shop and gallery featuring fine art and artifacts hand selected in India, Indonesia, and other regions of Southeast Asia. Grandview is the former estate of Nick Englebert, a dairy farmer, storyteller, and self-taught folk artist. Englebert decorated the entire exterior of his small farmhouse with a colorful mosaic of stones, shells, glass, ceramic fragments, and porcelain figures. Visitors are treated to a collection of concrete sculptures, mosaics, and paintings sure to fascinate people of all ages. nicksgrandview.com.

historical artifacts. mineralpointhistory.org. Pendarvis Historic Site is one of the most exceptional historic building restorations in Wisconsin. Winding footpaths connect quaint stone-and-log cottages and a threeunit rowhouse on a craggy slope dotted with blooming gardens and charming rock courtyards. Guides outfitted in 19th-century garb walk you through the cottages and grounds, explaining the evolution of the Shake Rag neighborhood. pendarvishistoricsite.org Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, set in the beautiful and historic Shake Rag neighborhood, is a lively hands-on creative learning center. Students come from all over the country to join in the creative fun that takes place here. Workshops offered year-round at Shake Rag Alley are lively, rambunctious, and hard to find anywhere else. shakeragalley.com.

PLAY IN OUR GREAT BACKYARDS…

The 970-acre wet-mesic Avoca Prairie is the largest tall grass prairie east of the Mississippi—probably the only place in the eastern U.S. where only natural prairie-

House on the Rock adds to their remarkable collection each year, ensuring that new and returning visitors to the Streets of Yesterday, Organ Room, Cannon Building, Dollhouse Building, Circus Building, Armor Room, Crown Jewel Room, Gun Collection, Infinity Room, and the “World’s Largest Carousel” will find a visual feast. thehouseontherock.com. Museum of Minerals & Crystals hosts one of the biggest collections of minerals found in the U.S. Hwy 23 Dodgeville. 608.935.5205 Orchard Lawn The Gundry House is a wonderful example of the graciousness of a bygone era. The Italianate mansion built in 1868 offers a fascinating view of merchantclass life in the early days of Mineral Point and features authentic furnishings and local 128 S. Albany Street Spring Green, WI

May 26-27: June 23-24: July TBD: August 18-19:

(608) 588-3313

www.northearth.com

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IOWA COUNTY

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

year-round and offers 78 wooded campsites, two observation towers, double and singletrack bike trails, nature and hiking trails, cross-country skiing, and a swimming pool. Cave of the Mounds, just a stone’s throw across the county line is a National Natural Landmark, opened in 1939 and offers guided tours from March 15 to November 15th. caveofthemounds.com.

savanna features form the landscape. The prairie plant and animal species found here, and at other remnant prairie sites in the area, are of the pre-settlement prairie that once covered two million acres; today a little more than 2,000 scattered acres survive. Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area has 150 campsites, a 220-acre lake, and 2,000 acres of surrounding beauty, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. Blue Mound State Park is located at southern Wisconsin’s highest point. The park is open

Cheese Country Trail is a shared use trail which allows ATVs, horseback riding, snowmobiles, and bikes. The 47-mile trail runs from Mineral Point to Monroe, and has 57 overpasses, including a 440-foot bridge spanning the Pecatonica River. Cycle Southwest Wisconsin is a threecounty map consisting of 28 bicycling loops that provide wonderful opportunities for avid and amateur bicyclists alike. This is a bicyclist’s paradise with challenging hills for the serious cyclists and gentler routes for the less adventurous. Dolby Stables offers visitors the opportunity to horseback ride on beautiful trails in the rolling hills north of Dodgeville, near the entrance to Governor Dodge State Park. Governor Dodge State Park is Wisconsin’s second-largest and third-busiest state park. With more than 5,200 scenic acres of steep hills, bluffs, deep valleys, two lakes, and a waterfall, you can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, bicycling, mountain biking, swimming, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The park has nearly 300 campsites Hyde’s Mill dam and millpond, built in 1850, is a tranquil and scenic stop surrounded by lush woodlands and prairie openings. Enjoy the gentle waterfalls, listen for bird calls, and take a step back to a quieter time. Don’t

forget the camera. Military Ridge State Trail, a 40-mile trail for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing connects Dodgeville and Fitchburg, near Madison. Most of the trail follows the former Chicago and North Western Railway line, which has a gentle grade of only 2 to 5 percent. The Military Ridge Trail is also directly accessible from Mineral Point via a bike/hike-only trail. Tower Hill State Park, with campsites, hiking trails, a canoe landing, picnic areas, and a fully staffed park office, was the site of a major lead shot production operation that supplied ammunition to the military and the market.

VISIT OUR COMMUNITIES... n ARENA Arena, at the northeast corner of Iowa County, is a small community on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. The Arena Landing lies across the river from a set of bluffs on the north side of the Lower Wisconsin River. Cheese, beer, and water— what could be more Wisconsin than that? You’ll find all of that in Arena. Home to the maker of the original Co-Jack Cheese, you can watch the artisan cheesemaker at work and sample some great Wisconsin cheeses. You can’t miss it—just look for the giant mouse! Tour groups are welcome and a narrative of the cheese-making process is available with an advance notice. Grab some cheese, then head around the corner for some locally brewed beer at the Lake Louie Brewery, where there are really fun and free tours on most Saturdays by appointment. And then take a trip down the river. With several places in the area to rent canoes, you can discover the Wisconsin River at her best.

AVOCA

Avoca, a small, beautiful village nestled between lush hills and the scenic Wisconsin River, straddles the northwest border of Iowa County. Avoca’s yearly celebrations include Firemen’s Annual Fisheree, St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration, Memorial Day Celebration, Country at the Crossroads Music Festival with fireworks, and Labor Day Celebration. Avoca has the biggest prairie land east of the Mississippi River, from which you are able to walk to the Wisconsin River and enjoy the natural beauty.

16 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

IOWA COUNTY In 2008, Avoca dedicated its new Veteran’s Memorial in Legion Park on Front Street, complete with a retired military tank. The Avoca Lakeside Park features a campground, ancient Indian mounds, ball diamond, concession stand, two picnic shelters, playgrounds, a swim at your own risk beach, and boat ramp. The Avoca Campground has 75 sites, accommodating both permanent and vacationing campers. Sites are large and well spaced, which allows for all campers, from tenters to big rigs. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each site. The campground is open from April 15 to November 30. Reservations are recommended for holiday weekends. Call 608.532.6831 for campground information. Indian mounds are in the park overlooking the Avoca Lake. The group includes six linear and four conical mounds. The Avoca Lake is a backwater of the Wisconsin River and is great for fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking. The lake is approximately 2 miles long, and during most of the summer is shallow, with the deepest areas about 8 to 10 feet. The Avoca Prairie is located about two miles east of the village and is one of four Department of Natural Resources public hunting areas within seven miles of the village. Game common to the area are the whitetail deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, pheasants, and other small game. The prairie is the largest contiguous prairie east of the Mississippi River. The bottomlands are covered with many different grasses, flowers, and other plants.

BARNEVELD

Barneveld, the site of a devastating tornado which struck Iowa and Dane counties on June 8, 1984, is known for its resiliency. Barneveld took the brunt of this storm, which killed 9 people, injured 200, and did $40 million worth of physical damage, leaving much of the village destroyed. Today a new modern and thriving community has grown out of the rubble. Just west of town is the new Deer Valley Golf Course, a par-72 championship facility and a water park for kids of all ages. South of Barneveld on Highway K is Botham Vineyards and Winery, a 15-acre vineyard rich in Iowa County history. Tastings of distinctive regional wines are offered during seasonal hours. East of Barneveld is Blue Mound State Park, located at southern Wisconsin’s highest point. The park is open year-round and offers

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

78 wooded campsites, two observation towers, double- and single-track bike trails, nature and hiking trails, cross-country skiing, and a swimming pool. The Military Ridge Trail is a great place for a bike ride or hike, and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing when the snow flies. Or grab a fishing pole and head to Brigham Park, next to the Village of Blue Mounds, just a few miles away on County F. The Cave of the Mounds, a National Natural Landmark, opened in 1939 and offers guided tours all year.

COBB

Cobb, a quiet rural village, hosts a big community festival every summer, typically on the second Saturday of August. There are lots of reasons to visit Cobb for the annual Corn Roast, including fast-pitch tournaments, a chicken BBQ, and other great Wisconsin food and beverages, music, and a parade. Oh, and don’t forget—free sweet corn! For a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle, there are two village parks that provide places to play and picnic. Located just a few miles to the north, Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area has 150 campsites, a 220acre lake, and 2,000 acres of surrounding beauty with opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating.

a business and agricultural center. In 1995, the downtown area was declared a National Historic District. There are plenty of reasons to plan a trip to Dodgeville, including several annual events: Wisconsin grilled cheese championship, Lands’ End Summer Concert Series, Halloween Street party, Off the Vine wine tasting, Farmers Appreciation Day, Kiwanis Chicken Barbeque, the Bloomfield Balloon Fest, and more. Three world-renowned attractions, The House on the Rock, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, and American Players Theatre, are just a short drive up the road. When you come to town, shop in our stores, both on the north end and in our historic downtown. Dodgeville’s business community keeps good company, from multi-generational family-owned retail businesses to international corporations,

DODGEVILLE

Dodgeville, the county seat of Iowa County, has been at the hub of activity for Iowa County for well over a century. In the early years of settlement, Dodgeville was a mining town. Its namesake, Henry Dodge, came to the area seeking his fortune through lead mining and became the first Governor of the Wisconsin Territory. Many of the miners left for the California Gold Rush of 1849, but the city continued to grow and expand as

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IOWA COUNTY IOWA COUNTY CAMPGROUNDS Avoca Lakeside Campground A municipal run campground. 80 camping sites. 608.532.6831 Blue Mounds Area - Blue Mounds State Park, located on the eastern side of Iowa County. 608.437.5711 Dodgeville Area - Governor Dodge State Park, north of Dodgeville on Hwy 23. 608.935.2315 Tom’s Campground - 2626 Spring Road, Dodgeville (just off State Hwy 191). 608.935.5446 Traders Campground between Arena and Spring Green on Hwy 14. 800.871.0115 Cobb/Highland - Black Hawk Lake on Hwy BH near Highland. 608.623.2707 Mineral Point - Iowa County Fairgrounds in Mineral Point. 608.987.2487 Spring Green Area - Tower Hill State Park near Spring Green. 608.588.2116

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

including the headquarters for Lands’ End. Eat in our restaurants, supper clubs, and fastfood places, and stay in our hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds. Play in our parks, visit our apple orchard, golf, go horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, bowling, or take in a movie. Get in touch with history at the Iowa County Historical Society, the restored cabin from Henry Dodge’s original mining party, and other artifacts from the hey-day of the lead mining era. One of the most notable structures in the downtown is the Iowa County Courthouse, the oldest continuously active courthouse in the state. The foundation was laid in 1859, when Dodgeville became the county seat (a distinction previously held by neighboring Mineral Point). The Dodge Mining Camp Cabin has been designated Iowa County’s oldest building by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Historical Preservation Division of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Located at 205 East Fountain Street in Dodgeville, the cabin is open by appointment only year-round. Call 608.935.7694 or 608.935.5557. Just getting to Dodgeville is a delight. No matter the season, the landscape provides miles and miles of scenic beauty. You can venture off modern highways to the state parks, trails, and rustic country roads and enjoy many a bucolic view. Contact the Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce for more information. Call 877.863.6343 toll free or email info@dodgeville.com.

HIGHLAND

Highland, a vibrant small community of 860 friendly residents is located in the rolling hills of west-central Iowa County. Nearby, the Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area has 150 spacious campsites, a 220-acre lake,

18 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

and 2,000 acres of nature’s beauty. It is a great location for picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. The Highland Village Park, with over 15 acres of green space, is centrally located in the Village and offers picnicking opportunities, shelter facilities, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, softball diamonds, and a large playground area. OUR TOWN!, held annually on the fourth Saturday in July, is a fun-packed day to celebrate all that makes Highland a great community and to honor active service people. Chicken barbecues, ball tournaments, and a fisheree at Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area are annual events. Every July 4th, kids, from little tykes through high school, participate in rodeo activities, such as bull riding, calf roping, barrel and pole racing, mutton busting, and tug of war. Award-winning wines are produced from 16 acres of grapes at Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery. Wines from cranberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and honey (mead) round out their line of wines. You can sample wines, tour the wine cellars (phone ahead for tour times), relax on the deck, or hike up to the hilltops for a view of the vines. The hike is an invigorating 20 minutes to the top, but only 10 minutes back!  Several events are planned for the summer and fall for your enjoyment. Of course, the peace and quiet and beautiful scenery are free for your enjoyment.

HOLLANDALE

Hollandale is home to one of the more unique places in the county. A trip to southwest Wisconsin should include a visit to Grandview, on Highway 39 just outside this tiny village. You are welcome to stop by anytime for a selfguided tour. This is the former home of Nick Engelbert, a folk artist who created a mosaic masterpiece by covering his unassuming farmhouse with shards of china, glass, beads, buttons, and sea shells. Over the next 15 years, Nick created more than 40 concrete sculptures in his yard, combining patriotic themes with imagery from history, fairy tales, mythology, and his own imagination. Surrounded by a landscape of rolling hills and bucolic farmland, Engelbert named his sculpted panorama Grandview. Now owned by the Pecatonica Educational Charitable Foundation, Inc., his vivid imagination and love of life live on. One trip to Grandview and you will understand why we agree with Nick—“If a man can’t find happiness on a little farm in Wisconsin, he hasn’t the makings of happiness in his soul.”

IOWA COUNTY n

LINDEN

Linden, settled in 1828 following the 1827 discovery of lead by the “Dodgeville Peddler,” was called Peddler’s Creek until the 1850s, when it was renamed in honor of the numerous linden trees in the area. The tiny community, nestled in the beautiful hills and woods, is home to less than 700 people today, but during the lead rush days, it was a bustling center of mining with over 2,000 residents. The Methodist Church, built of local limestone in the fashion of Wesleyan chapels in Cornwall, was dedicated in 1851 and is the oldest Methodist Church building in continuous use in Wisconsin. The sanctuary, lighted by lovely stained glass windows, features a horseshoe gallery with the original box pews with doors and a raised pulpit platform.

MINERAL POINT

Mineral Point, population 2,500, has 17 art galleries and more working artists’ studios, historic sites, world-class workshops, cultural events, wood-fired pizza, handcrafted beer, pasty, figgyhobbin and other Cornish traditions, award-winning artisan cheeses, quaint historic lodging, fine dining and friendly folks. It’s another world…and it’s a pleasant, scenic drive from anywhere, through rolling hills and valleys. In 2007, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations in America. In 2008, it was voted the Most Beautiful Town in Wisconsin and the Best Wisconsin Town for a Historic Getaway. Mineral Point, an early commerce center in the lead region, was settled in 1827. On July 4, 1836, Henry Dodge was sworn in as the first governor of the Wisconsin Territory, making Mineral Point “the Place Where Wisconsin Began.” Miners from Cornwall, England, began arriving in the 1830s. Besides mining, they constructed stone buildings resembling their homes in Cornwall. Many of their buildings have been painstakingly restored and are part of the city’s historic district. With over 500 contributing structures, Mineral Point was the first Wisconsin city placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several museums, including Pendarvis Historic Site, the Mineral Point Depot (the oldest existing depot in Wisconsin), and Orchard Lawn offer a glimpse into the past.

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

can purchase works of art made by the person behind the counter. Restaurants ranging from an English-style pub to a traditional Midwestern family cafe offer plenty of choices for dining. You will find a delightful respite at the end of the day in any of our motels, guest houses, and B&Bs. Come on July 4th for a small-town celebration reminiscent of times gone by. The last weekend of September is reserved for the annual Cornish Festival, with food tasting, Celtic music, pub games, and more. During the Fall Art Tour, held the third weekend in October, some of the state’s best-known artists invite you to their personal studios, some of which are open to the public during this event only. The holidays, too, are magical—Charles Dickens would feel at home here. Mineral Point is home to the County Fairgrounds, which hosts one of the oldest county fairs in the state; with harness racing, an annual regional high school rodeo, and a variety of other events throughout the year. For more information, contact the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce at info@mineralpoint.com or call toll free 888.764.6894.

MONTFORT

Montfort, on Iowa County’s western border, is a quiet, friendly town and home to the Montfort Wind Farm. You can see these graceful structures for miles and miles around the area. The largest wind farm in Wisconsin, its 20 turbines produce enough power to supply approximately 10,500 homes. They’re nearly as tall as a 33-story building—that’s the closest we get to skyscrapers in our corner of the world. If you happen along this ride in the late afternoon, you will have a beautiful silhouette

A unique shopping experience awaits you, including many working studios where you

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IOWA COUNTY

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org the ghost stories have been traced back to 1840, when two young men were murdered at McKillip’s Saloon in Ridgeway. Some say the Ridgeway Phantom departed when the town burned down in 1910, but others believe the spirit is still out there, lurking in the woods. Ridgeway residents still claim him as their own.

of the windmills in the orange glow of the western sky. And for popcorn lovers—and who isn’t?—there’s a great place where you will find all kinds of gourmet, award winning flavors: Rural Route One Popcorn.

REWEY

Rewey is a tiny Iowa County community that swells by gigantic proportions for its annual fireworks display. By far the very best fireworks display seen in the area, this

tradition draws thousands of spectators every year on the second Saturday after July 4th. If you like fireworks, you should not miss Rewey. If you want another adventure, take a short jaunt to the west, where you can climb the 265 steps of the “World’s Largest M”—the landmark of nearby Platteville and the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. In the winter of 1936, the engineering department of UW–Platteville was enlisted to build this permanent reminder of their alma mater. Four hundred tons of light-colored limestone were placed here to form a symmetrical “M” that some say has been seen from space. The incredible view is well worth the climb.

Visit the 60-year-old railroad depot that the Friends of Military Ridge State Trail have restored. It is the only depot still standing from the time when Chicago and North Western passenger trains ran along the corridor. Stand on the traditional brick platform and imagine a time when the railroad was the heart of the community and the connection to the rest of the world. The Ridgeway Depot is open from May 1-November 1 on Sundays 1-4pm and features interpretive displays and a mural depicting life along the trail as a transportation corridor. The community celebrates Labor Day with a big festival, complete with a parade and ball tournaments, topping off the day with fireworks.

RIDGEWAY

Ridgeway, famous for ghost stories, lies just off Highway 151 and along the Military Ridge Trail. The town’s mascot is the Ridgeway Ghost, who, according to local folklore, took many forms, frightening travelers as a headless man, an old woman, a ball of light, and a number of spectral animals, appearing from nowhere and attacking passersby. Origins of

Photo by Barb Ott

20 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

IOWA COUNTY

iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

Pine Ridge Motel 608-935-3386

www.pineridgemotel.net 405 Co. Rd. YZ â&#x20AC;¢ Dodgeville, WI 53533 1/2 mile east of Hwy. 23 on YZ

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IOWA COUNTY iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org VERNON COUNTY The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

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Iowa County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events, and more visit iowacounty.org & iowacountyedc.org

22 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

Welcome to Vernon County

Don’t Miss… • Snowflake Annual Ski Jumping Tournament • Kickapoo River (One of the most crooked rivers in the world) featuring Canoeing & Kayaking • Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center • Viola Horse & Colt Show • The “Stabbur” in Westby • Cesky Den (Hillsboro) • “Syttende Mai” Festival

Sunrise on the Kickapoo River

• Amish Settlements Come enjoy all we have to offer. If you like breathtaking scenery, enjoy history, or are seeking recreational opportunities, Vernon County can provide them all. Picturesque strip-contoured farmland, rock outcroppings, shadowed hollows and soaring ridge tops, hillsides studded with maples, oak and birch, winding country roads, and hidden valleys contribute to the quiet beauty and lure of Vernon County. Untouched by the glaciers that flattened the eastern part of Wisconsin, the steep hills and meandering valleys of Vernon County are as inviting today as theywere to Norwegian, Italian, German, Czech, Bohemian, and other immigrant groups in the 1800s. Vernon County communities are proud of their heritage and history, a legacy of land stewardship, sense of community, hard work, and commitment to friends and family. The work ethic is evident in the co-operative effort and volunteer spirit of Vernon County communities and organizations, which sponsor a multitude of events, fairs, and festivals throughout the year. Our history is preserved in numerous museums throughout the county. Vernon County has more round barns than any other county in the nation.

Recreational opportunities abound throughout the county. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you can hike, bike, camp, hunt, fish, canoe, horseback ride, or take photos of wildlife. If indoor activities are more to your liking, visit our many artisans, antique stores, B&Bs, and unique shops.

• Wildcat Mountain State Park • Round Barns of Vernon County • World-Class Trout Streams

Vernon County is located midway between Chicago and the Twin Cities, about a four hour drive; it is a short drive from Interstate 90/94 and the La Crosse airport. It is an enjoyable drive of 1.5 to 2.5 hours from Rochester, Dubuque, Madison, Wisconsin Dells, and Eau Claire. The pace here is a little less hectic, with only three stoplights in the entire county. For more detailed information on our community events, recreation opportunities, parks, camping and accommodations, contact our advertisers or the village offices via their email, websites, or by telephone. Visit vernoncounty.org and click on Tourism.

n ACCOMMODATIONS Lodging and camping facilities, rental cabins, motels, B&Bs, farm vacations, business retreats, gourmet dining, and reception facilities are conveniently located throughout Vernon County.

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VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

n SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE Vernon County is a prime destination for wildlife watchers. A must-see on any vacation is watching the glorious bald eagles as they soar above the bluffs along the Mississippi, or dive into the river to catch a fish. Vernon County also offers abundant small game, deer, and turkey hunting. With over 200 miles of trout streams, much of it Class 2 and 3 manmade lakes, the Mississippi, Bad Axe, Kickapoo rivers, Vernon County is an angler’s delight The Kickapoo River, rated number one with Silent Sports Magazine’s readers in 1992, aptly deserves its title of the crookedest river in Wisconsin, as it zigzags 120 miles down its 70-mile-long valley, passing through Ontario, Rockton, La Farge, Viola, and Readstown, on its way to the Wisconsin River at Wauzeka. A network of 160 miles of signed snowmobile trails connects with adjacent Richland, Sauk, Crawford, Juneau, Monroe, and La Crosse County trail systems. Five biking loops, including Wildcat and Amish Country, are recommended in “WORLD CLASS BIKE ROUTES”. Vernon County’s many well-maintained back roads offer cyclists endless opportunities to create their own bike tours to explore her hidden valleys.

n S PECIALTIES Tours are available at many of the cheese factories and creameries located throughout Vernon County. It’s still possible to order your favorite ice cream treat at an oldfashioned soda fountain or dairy bar. Many fine dairy products are available locally, including squeaky-fresh cheese curds. The annual June Dairy Days is an opportunity for visitors to have breakfast on a dairy farm. Area folks eagerly await the many ethnic church suppers, held annually in the fall, as well as the Friday night fish fries, chicken-ques, smelt fries, lutefisk, meatball and lefse dinners, and pig roasts.

n H ISTORICAL ROADSIDE MARKERS There are eight Wisconsin historical roadside markers in Vernon County: Coon Valley - First Watershed Protection Project, De Soto - Battle of the Bad Axe and Chief Win-no-shik, Genoa - Dams on the Mississippi and Wisconsin’s first nuclear fueled electrical generating station (also in Genoa), Hillsboro - Admiral Marc A. M i t s c h e r a n d C h e y e n n e Va l l e y

24 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Heritage, Viroqua - Governor Rusk. Call 608.637.7396 for information on locating the distinctive signs that mark the stages in the tragic Black Hawk Indian War, which ended on the banks of the Mississippi in the 1830s (Blackhawk Trail Markers).

n I NTERESTING SHOPPING The largest Amish settlement in Wisconsin is found in eastern Vernon County from northeast of Westby to Ontario, Mount Tabor and Hillsboro. Amish families are also now settling west of Viroqua, at Dach Ridge and Retreat, and near Readstown. Amish wares are advertised by roadside signs and include maple syrup, hickory bent furniture, produce, bakery goods, candy, cheese, rugs, and quilts. While shopping with the Amish, please dress conservatively and leave your camera in your car. No Sunday sales. Opportunities for antique and bargain hunters abound in Vernon County at auctions, antique shops, garage sales, holiday bazaars, flea markets, and unique gift, craft and bargain shops. Arts and crafts fairs and consignment shops feature work of many resident artisans.

n C OON VALLEY Coon Valley is nestled among the scenic bluffs on the junction of 162 and U.S. Highway 14/61 between La Crosse and Madison. Strong family and ethnic heritage is noticeable here. Enjoy the beautiful scenery every season. For the summer enthusiast the beautiful Coon Valley Memorial Park offers a memorable place for a wedding, accommodations for a family reunion, and Legion and youth baseball games all summer long. Handicapped fishing and the Veteran Memorial are part of Coon Valley’s charm. The Annual Coon Creek Festival/Rendezvous, the Coon Creek Trout Fest ,and DeVerne Seland Memorial Car Show are spring and summer events that are not to be missed. Fall brings the glorious color of the hills, which is worth the drive from miles away, and while there, you can dine at one of the town’s four restaurants and stop at the local shops. Winter brings snowmobiling with over 40 miles of trails, and hunting is a pleasurable sport for many sportsmen. Cabin rentals are available locally all year.

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

Spring brings the promise of good fishing, growing crops, and another successful season for the locally run shops and restaurants alike. Trout fishing in many of the local streams is a must for many fishermen. Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center is a 400-acre facility that is located three miles north of Coon Valley on County Highway PI. Norskedalen holds many seasonal cultural events and provides educational programs all year. Hiking trails, museums, a library, gift shop, and a pioneer farmstead let people enjoy a little Norwegian Heritage. An annual fall Threshing Bee and Norskedalen’s Old Fashioned Christmas are highly awaited events. Skumsrud Heritage Farm is owned and operated by Norskedalen, and is located a half mile west of Coon Valley on Highway 14/61. This is an open air museum with 11 historic buildings and is on the National Register of Historic Places, open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

nW ESTBY

Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge

Westby was first settled in 1843 by Norwegian immigrants who set up farmsteads similar to those in Norway. Westby is located in the north central part of Vernon County at the junction of Highways 14/61 and 27.

competition is held at the ski club’s Nordic Center, located north of Westby off Highway 27, west on County P. Snowflake’s landing runway converts to a popular 9-hole par-3 golf course in summer. Info 608.634.3211.

A city for all seasons, Westby offers hiking, biking, golfing, snowmobiling, and the internationally recognized Snowflake Ski Hill.

The Stabbur–Westby Tourist Information Center 608.634.4011.

Syttende Mai. Westby holds a three-day celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day the weekend closest to May 17 each year. Includes a troll hunt, arts and crafts exhibits, music, Saturday stage performance, and large afternoon parade—all amidst ethnic food and craft demonstrations, costumes, and hospitality. Info 608.634.4011. Snowflake Annual Ski Jumping Tournament In February, a two-day 114-meter world-class

Thoreson House Museum features special seasonal events. Enjoy burgers in Davidson Park every Thursday night in June, July and August. Local musicians entertain in a beautiful shady setting.

supper club, and cafe. Area attractions include the largest Amish settlement in Wisconsin, located off Highway 27, east on County P, and north on County D; Three Chimneys Rock, visible from the wayside on Highway 14/61, south of town; Country Coon Prairie Church and Cemetery, east on Old Town Road and south on Coon Prairie Avenue, was the first Lutheran Church in western Wisconsin. The present twin tower brick church was built in 1909 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Info 608.634.4011. westbywi.com

n LODGING & DINING

n V IROQUA

While visiting Westby, you’re welcome to stay at our motels, B&Bs, condos, and campgrounds. Enjoy our restaurants,

Viroqua is one of the most beautiful and distinctive Main Street cities in Wisconsin a n d of f e r s a b u n d a nt ch o i ce s i n entertainment, shopping, and outdoor recreation. Viroqua, Vernon County’s seat and largest city, is located on a ridge in the Ocooch Mountains of southwestern Wisconsin in the heart of the Driftless region. Since 1856, the Vernon County Fair is held the second weekend in September in Viroqua.

n B EAUTY & RECREATION The striking beauty of the Kickapoo and Mississippi River Valleys consistently draw people to Viroqua. The area offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, canoeing, snowshoeing, camping,

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VERNON COUNTY Canoeing • Camping Fishing • Amish Goods Horseback Riding

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

La Farge • Ontario • Rockton

villageofontario@centurytel.net

ontariowi.com Call for information

(608) 337-4381

Village of La Farge Village Park

1-877-GET-SUNK Hwy 131 N & Main St. • Ontario, WI 54651 titaniccanoerental.com • 608-337-4551 Open Daily

Food 6 am–9:30 pm

Weekend Full Menu BBQ • Chicken Ribs • Brisket 314 Main Street, Ontario 608-337-4803

Picnic shelters. Camping with electric, restroom & shower facility.

Bean Park

Playground equipment, basketball court.

KICKAPOO VALLEY RESERVE Call for Events

4th of July–3 & 4th Farmers Market on Saturdays LaFarge Fall Harvest Fest & Village Wide Rummage Sale (1st Sat. in October)

Small Town Christmas (1st Sat. in December)

9-Hole Disc Golf Course (by Mill & Pearl Streets)

608-625-4422

S3661 St Hwy 131 | La Farge, WI 54639 (608) 625-2960 | FAX (608) 625-2962 EMAIL kickapoo.reserve@krm.state.wi.us WEBSITE kvr.state.wi.us

PHONE

VISIT OUR RETAIL OUTLETS 507 W. Main St. • La Farge, WI 509 Organic Dr. • Cashton, WI Open Mon.–Sat.

www.LaFarge-wisconsin.com

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

FREE Local Calls

115 S. Bird St, La Farge

FREE Cable TV

(608) 625-2501

Mr. Duck’s Canoe Rental Best Tubes on the Kickapoo! (608) 337-4711 100 Main St., Ontario mrduckscanoerental.com

Canoes • Kayaks • Tubes Just north of Ontario

608-337-4522

30352 State Hwy 131 Norwalk www.kickapoowild.com

26 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

©Organic Valley 2017-12062

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge

cross-country skiing, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, road cycling, and mountain biking. Viroqua is the ideal base camp for all your recreational adventures and daily excursions.

a community band and an abundance of entertainers from bluegrass to gospel to small string ensembles.

n ENTERTAINMENT

Listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, Viroqua’s downtown is home to dozens of specialty shops offering everything from books, clothing, jewelry, and art to home goods and unique and wonderful gifts from around the world. At the center of one of the greatest organic farming regions in the U.S., our Europeanstyle Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning, May through October, outdoors in downtown Viroqua. Featuring Amish wares, heirloom vegetables, reclaimed wood furniture, crepes, orchids, and fresh brewed locally roasted Kickapoo Coffee, our Market offers a wonderful sample of the bounty of our area.

From the excitement of Wild West Days and the Vernon County Fair, various seasonal and cultural celebrations, the arts and musical performances at the handsomely restored Temple Theatre, and the thrill of a hockey game at the indoor ice arena, Viroqua is the place to go for entertainment. Viroqua is home to four amateur theater groups,

n SHOPPING

n LODGING & DINING For a village of around 4,500 friendly folks, Viroqua knows how to make you feel right at home. You’ll have your choice of lodging family-friendly motels, classy B&Bs, and campgrounds to pitch your tent or park your RV and stay the night. We offer a nice selection of restaurants from one end of town to the other. Dining options include supper clubs, cafes, bistros, and restaurants offering something for every palette. After a satisfying meal and good night’s sleep, you will be ready to explore the scenic Driftless Area. Come to visit, stay a lifetime!

n READSTOWN Readstown is the southernmost village in Vernon County. The historic village of Readstown was founded in 1849 and is located at the junction of Highways 131, 14, and 61. It has three historic cemeteries,

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VERNON COUNTY

95th Annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament FEBRUARY 2-3, 2018

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

Ski Jump Tournament • Amish Wares & Tours Golf Course • 200 Miles of Trout Streams Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center Rural Art & Craft Shops • National Historic Church Creamery Fresh Cheese • Biking, Hiking & Canoeing

WESTBY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 94 • Westby, WI 54667 (608) 634-4011 • www.westbywi.com

Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts

100 S. Main St., Westby dregnesscandinavian.gift Our 43-year tradition brings you the finest selection of unique Scandinavian gifts. Your shopping experience at Dregne’s will be a revelation of Norway’s most treasured gift lines in one location.

We feature a year-round Christmas shop 43rd Annual Anniversary Sale—Call for Date

877-634-4414 | 608-634-4414

Country Coon Pr airie Church and Cemetery Visitors Welcomed!

National Historic Site

S2706 Coon Prairie Rd.—2 miles south of Westby Call 608-634-4722 for Schedule of Events & Tours

Your Satisfaction is our Success!

Your #1 Real Estate Resource in Vernon County!

608-634-6300

www.NewDirectionsRE.com

Need Cash? Welcome to our 24-drive up ATM There's Never a Surcharge!

UFF-DA-SHOPPE

Westby Viroqua Cashton

501 N. Main

1302 N. Main

105 Randy Road

Lake Delton Richland Center Reedsburg 70 Commerce St. 2403 Hwy. 14 East 820 Viking Drive Baraboo Coon Valley 1333 South Blvd.

A UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

101 S. MAIN ST., WESTBY, WI 54667 (608) 634-3250 | (608) 606-9197

502 Central Ave.

wccucreditunion.coop

Cheryl's Norse Styles Resale & Antique Mall

Three huge floors of Antiques • Furniture • Gifts • Collectibles Garden Decor • Linens • Housewares Primitives • Jewelry Handmade Crafts by Local Vendors

Family Hair Care • Redken Products Walk-Ins Welcome Wed.-Fri. 9-5 • Sat. 8-12

109 N. Main, Westby, WI (608) 634-3311

All creatively displayed to inspire your unique style.

117 S. Main, Westby • 722 Main, La Crosse Mon-Sat 10 - 5 | Sun 10 - 3

608-634-4474 • 608-785-0234 treasuresonmain.net

28 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

“Where Friends Meat”

A Family Owned Business Since 1971 Striving to produce top quality meats and sausages at an affordable price. Stop in and check out our state and national award-winning products. www.westbylockerandmeats.com 406 N. Main, Westby Phone 608-634-4515 E-mail meatsusa@mwt.net

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

Westby Rod and Gun Club

BETHEL BUTIKK Food Pantry & Thrift Shop

215 South Main and Timber Coulee 608-634-4314 or 608-634-4278

M, W, Th, Fri 10 am-4 pm; Tues. til 6 pm First Sat. of month 9 am-Noon Community volunteer operated thrift store for clothing, furniture, appliances & household items.

Camping, Rental of the Club House and Reception Hall, Rifle Range, Trap Shoot Daily Lunch Specials • Saturday & Sunday Breakfast Trout and Pheasant • Public Welcome

341 Black River Ave (north of Westby off Hwy 27) (608) 634-3473

Norske Inn lodging

Zzip Stop

Convenience Store Located in Westby & LaFarge

866-634-3466 | 608-634-2230 411 North Main • Westby, WI 54667

including a Civil War Cemetary. Visitors can use Readstown as their base for exploring the wonders of the Kickapoo Valley and the Hidden Valleys of Vernon County.

n VIOLA In the heart of the Kickapoo Valley lies Viola. It is nestled amidst the bluffs along the picturesque Kickapoo River. This rural community is host to the unique Viola Horse and Colt Show, held annually the third weekend after Labor Day. For details check the website violahorseandcoltshow.com. Camping is available in the park. A number of B&Bs are located in the area as well. For more information go to vi.viola.wi.gov.

n LA FARGE La Farge, seven miles upriver of Viola, is at the junction of Highways 131 and 82. It is a scenic drive east from Viroqua and the gateway to the splendid 8,569-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Stop by the Visitor Center, speak to the staff, view the many exhibits, pick up maps, and unlock this treasure trove of outdoor opportunities. Info kvr.state.wi.us

La Farge is home to the Organic Valley Family of Farms, the largest organic farmer owned co-op in the world. A canoe launch is easily accessible from Highway 82 on the west edge of the village. Visit La Farge for the 4th of July Celebration. Many lodging and camping facilities in the La Farge area offer visitors both primitive and deluxe accommodations. Info 608.625.4422. LaFarge-wisconsin.com.

n H ILLSBORO Hillsboro, 16 miles east of Ontario on Highways 33, 80, and 82, is known as the Czech Capital of Wisconsin. It is so named for the many Czechoslovakian immigrants, mainly from Bohemia, who moved to the area in the late 1800s. Their Czech heritage is vividly displayed at the annual Cesky Den (Czech Day) celebration, held the second weekend in June. This festival features storytelling, ethnic food, dance, music, crafts, and a polka mass. ceskyden.com. Eight miles to the west on Highway 33 is Cheyenne Valley. This settlement was the northern terminus of the underground railroad, becoming the largest black settlement in

Visit our cheese store • Fresh cheese curds! Open 7 days a week 8-5

401 S. Main St. • Westby, WI 54667 608-634-3181 • 800-492-9282 www.westbycreamery.com Wisconsin. Free men of color made their way from the south to settle farms in this area. Alga Shivers built many of the distinctive round barns which still exist in eastern Vernon County to this day. A historical marker of Cheyenne Valley Heritage is located adjacent to Field Veterans Memorial Park along the lake in Hillsboro. The Historical Society maintains the Hillsboro Museum and Log Cabin, located in the City Park. Info 608.489.3594.

hiddenvalleys.com | 29

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

n V ILLAGES OF THE GREAT RIVER ROAD The Mississippi River borders the western edge of Vernon County. Wisconsin Highway 35—the Great River Road—passes through the unique river towns of De Soto, Victory, Genoa and Stoddard. Majestic bluffs, scores of bald eagles, and flocks of migrating ducks are an outdoor lover’s delight. Three miles north of De Soto you’ll find Blackhawk Park on County Road BI. Don’t miss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Hatchery south of Genoa. A scheduled tour is available. Call 608.689.2605. Visit Lock and Dam #8 at Genoa and you might see a barge lock through. Great fishing, water sports, and famous catfish dinners are all part of river life. Hillsboro State Trail is a scenic 4.5 mile bike and hiking trail connecting to the 400 State Trail at Union Center. Hillsboro celebrates the 4th of July with fireworks and the 5-day Firemen’s Labor Day celebration features tractor pulls, demolition derby, food, exhibits, fun, and a huge parade. Purchase fresh produce and Amish baked goods at the Farmers Market on summer Saturday mornings. Info 608.489.2521. hillsborowi.com

River. Many lodging options are available from B&Bs to cabins and camping. Just east on Highway 33 is Wildcat Mountain State Park, offering camping and picnic areas, a canoe landing, trails for hiking, horseback riding and cross country skiing. Info dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/wildcat and 608.337.4381; email villageofontario@ centurytel.net.

nO NTARIO

Chaseburg is a charming town located southwest of Coon Valley on Highway 162. It features a downtown with restored log cabins and a converted stone schoolhouse to interest history and architecture buffs. Several restaurants make it a good place to stop for a meal. The town hosts SnoTrail Day.

Ontario, the northernmost village on the Kickapoo River in Vernon County, sits at the junction of Highways 131 and 33. It is a favorite destination for canoeists. Ontario offers canoe rental for trips on the Kickapoo

n C HASEBURG

30 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

One mile north of Genoa is Old Settlers Overlook, with a magnificent view of three states. Stoddard hosts a great walleye

VERNON COUNTY

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

609 N. Main Street Viroqua, WI 608.637.7511 Open Daily 7am-9pm

fishing tournament in April as well as a big Labor Day Weekend Bash. Info genoawi.com, desotowi.com

n D E SOTO De Soto in the heart of the Driftless Area, sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. Its location offers many outdoor opportunities such as hunting for turkey, deer and waterfowl, fishing, bird watching, and hiking. De Soto Bay is known for great walleye fishing. As a member of Wisconsin’s Bird City, the Village hosts guided bird walks each year and offers birding programs during its Migratory Bird event. It is currently building hiking trails connecting and celebrating the uniqueness of the community’s topography and history. De Soto is the most southwestern community in Vernon County and shares a small part of its location with Crawford County. Its original name was Winneshiek Landing. A resident from the East, trying to attract more settlers to the area, renamed it De Soto, although the explorer never explored the area. The community annually

celebrates its history in June during the Winneshiek Land Day event offering activities for all ages, with vendors, great food, and local exhibits.

At Viroqua Food Co+op, fresh, delicious food is just the beginning. Stop in for a quick bite from our soup and salad bar, or let us fix you a madeto-order hot sandwich. Grab a cup of locally roasted coffee with our fresh baked goods (including gluten-free options), or join us for Sunday brunch. Everyone is welcome at the Co-op! www.viroquafood.coop/hot-bar-menu to see what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner today!

m Hot breakfast, lunch & dinner m Fresh baked goods m Soup and salad bar m Organic groceries m Artisan beer and wine m Espresso bar m Locally made gifts and more!

$1 OFF

Any purchase of $5 or more

Viroqua Food Co+op 609 N. Main Street Viroqua, WI 11/30/18 One coupon per visit. HV Expires 11/30/17

hiddenvalleys.com | 31

The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

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32 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

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The Heartland | driftlesswisconsin.com

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State & County Park Class 1 Trout Stream River Snowmobile Trail Bike Route

Vernon County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit driftlesswisconsin.com

• Invigorating Nature for the Mind & Soul • Artists Around Every Bend • Mississippi River & Great River Road • Rugged Hills & Tranquil Back Roads • Amish Farms • Canoe The Kickapoo River • Antiques & Specialty Shops • Fish 200 Miles of Trout Streams • Explore Wildcat Mountain State Park and The Kickapoo Valley Reserve

10 Miles

In the Heart of the Driftless Area For more information & lodging visit

www.DriftlessWisconsin.com hiddenvalleys.com | 33

WINERIES AND VINEYARDS

Wineries and Vineyards Driving Tour Driving Tour

1 12

2 For wine aficionados, there is a color palette of shades of red, white, and blush. You’ll be amazed at the variety of wines to taste, with each winery producing their own distinctive flavors. Each winemaker has their own recipes, and even the age of the grapevines can influence flavor.

There’s an added bonus of the rural landscape and scenic back roads along the way. Many of these locations are off the beaten path, and the scenic views will beckon you to explore all that the Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin has to offer.

1-B URR OAK WINERY N5873 Hwy 12 & 16, New Lisbon | 608.562.5271 2-W EGGY WINERY 30940 Oak Ridge Dr, Muscoda | 608.647.6600 3- S PURGEON VINEYARDS 16008 Pine Tree Rd, Highland | 800.236.5555 4-W HISPERING WINDS WINERY 13541 Blue School Rd, Fennimore | 608.943.9941 5 - BOTHAM VINEYARDS 8180 Langberry Rd, Barneveld | 888.478.9463 6 - FISHER KING WINERY 102 W Main St, Mt. Horeb | 608.437.6020 7 - SINNIPEE VALLEY VINEYARD & WINERY 4547 Timber Ln, Cuba City | 608.568.3212

5 6

9 7 8

8 - STONE CLIFF WINERY 600 Star Brewery Dr, Dubuque, IA | 563.583.6100 9 - WHISPERING BLUFFS WINERY 196 1/2 S Main St, Potosi | 608.763.2468 10 - EAGLES LANDING WINERY 127 North St, Marquette, IA | 563.873.1905 11 - V ERNON VINEYARDS LTD S3426 Peterson Ln & Hwy Y, Viroqua 608.634.6181 12 - B RANCHES WINERY E6796 Old Line Rd, Westby | 608.634.WINE (9463)

34 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

WINERIES AND VINEYARDS

1 - BURR OAK WINERY N5873 Hwy 12 & 16, New Lisbon | Juneau County | 608.562.5271

Good News!

Weggy Winery 30940 Oak Ridge Drive, Muscoda | 608.647.6600

Buy 1 bottle of wine, get 2nd bottle free…

equal or lesser price (bring this coupon in to redeem your wine)

weggywinery.com

Driving Tour

2 - WEGGY WINERY 30940 Oak Ridge Dr, Muscoda | Richland County 608.647.6600 | weggywinery.com Our featured red wines, Oak Ridge Red, Weggy Red, and Proprietor’s Choice Oakey Red, are all made with grapes grown in our Oak Ridge Vineyard. We have a selection of white grape wines, apple wines, and other fine fruit wines. You can choose from over 30 different wines, including several sweet wines. Vineyard tours available Saturday and Sunday and by appointment. Wine Tastings available daily. Summer and fall: open 7 days a week starting at 10 am. Call for other hours during off-season. *Member of Southwest Wisconsin Wine Trail

3 - SPURGEON VINEYARDS

16008 Pine Tree Rd, Highland | Grant County | 800.236.5555 | spurgeonvineyards.com Glen and Mary Spurgeon planted their first vines more than 30 years ago, which grew to 16 acres filled with Aurora, Foch, Baco Noir, and Rosette, just to name a few. Their most popular wine is Ruby Lady, a sweet red. They also use other Wisconsin-grown fruits, like cherries and cranberries. Don’t miss their Harvest Fest in mid-October, complete with hayrides into the vineyard. The cooler in the tasting room and store features local cheeses and meats. Tours offered April through October. Visit 10 am-5 pm daily. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. *Member of Southwest Wine Trail

4 - WHISPERING WINDS WINERY

13541 Blue School Rd, Fennimore | Grant County | 608.943.9941 | whisperingwindswinery.com A scenic setting provides for a most memorable experience when visiting winemaker Jim Eisele’s Whispering Winds Winery. Sip on one of Jim’s handcrafted wines while relaxing on the deck, or while enjoying the view from the large viewing windows in the remodeled winery. Try the popular Drupleberry, a four berry wine, or choose from a wide array of wines. Groups welcome! Reservations for over 20 accepted with ample bus parking. November-October: Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm. November-March: Friday-Sunday 10 am - 5 pm. *Member of Southwest Wisconsin Wine Trail

5 - BOTHAM VINEYARDS 8180 Langberry Rd, Barneveld | Iowa County | 888.478.9463

hiddenvalleys.com | 35

WINERIES AND VINEYARDS

Driving Tour

6 - FISHER KING WINERY 102 W Main St, Mt. Horeb | Dane County | 608.4347.6020

7 - SINNIPEE VALLEY VINEYARD & WINERY 4547 Timber Ln, Cuba City | Grant County | 608.568.3212

8 - STONE CLIFF WINERY

600 Star Brewery Dr, Dubuque, IA | 563.583.6100 | stonecliffwinery.com Stone Cliff Winery, one of Iowa’s largest wineries, is a perfect place to relax and enjoy yourself in its Tasting Room. Enjoy a glass of their award-winning wine or locally brewed beer. It is located on the banks of the Mississippi in the historic Star Brewery Building. Their wines range from the classic Cabernets and Chardonnays to the sweeter fruit wines. Stone Cliff’s newest productions are Jazzberry, a raspberry port, and their Hard Stone Cider on tap. Open daily at 11 am, the Tasting Room and Gift Shop offers wine tasting daily, serves lunches during the week, and appetizers all day, with live music Thursday through Sunday evenings. Tours of the facility are by request or self guided. Come visit!

9 - WHISPERING BLUFFS WINERY 196 ½ S Main Street, Potosi | Grant County | 608.763.2468 |

10 - EAGLES LANDING WINERY 127 North St, Marquette, IA | 563.873.1905 | eagleslandingwinery.com Residing on the breathtakingly scenic Great River Road in the quaint little river town of Marquette Iowa, we welcome you to come and sample our International Award Winning Wines. Voted Wine Maker of the Year, Rose Wine of the Year, Best of Class and Best Iowa Wine, we offer over 32 varieties of wines, ranging from dry to semi-dry, semi-sweet to sweet, and of course our award winning dessert wines. Feel free to browse our unique, fun gift shop. We have monthly events including live music in our wine garden June – October. We are located within 3 miles of Effigy Mounds National Park and Pikes Peak State Park.

n n

11 - VERNON VINEYARDS LTD S3426 Peterson Ln & Hwy Y, Viroqua | Vernon County 608.634.6181

12 - BRANCHES WINERY E6796 Old Line Rd, Westby | Vernon County | 608.634.WINE (9463)

36 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

RICHLAND COUNTY

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

Richland County…EXTREME to Serene Don’t Miss… These annual events that are held in Richland Center and Richland County throughout the year… • 4 Seasons of Fun Events: Motorsports Mayhem, Churning Dirt National Truck & Tractor Pull and Hybrid Redneck Rally • Outdoor Movie Drive-In Theater open June to Labor Day • Wisconsin State High School Rodeo Finals with parade on Saturday morning in June • Richland County Dairy Breakfast in June • Lone Rock 4th of July Celebration and parade

Richland County is known for its rich farmland, steeply wooded hillsides, lush valleys, and beautiful sandstone and limestone bluffs. As you visit Richland County you will fall in love with the scenery of the Ocooch Mountain range that surrounds you, the graceful curves of the Scenic Byway 60, and will be captivated by the wildlife that shares the bounty of this rich land with us. You will enjoy the myriad of local activities, outdoor opportunities, rich heritage, the beautiful hills and valleys, and our diverse base of businesses that combine to make Richland County an ideal tourist destination or your home. Richland Center is home to the University of Wisconsin–Richland, which serves as an educational and cultural center for the area.

n MILES FROM... Madison, WI La Crosse, WI Chicago, IL Minneapolis, MN Milwaukee, WI Rockford, IL Wisconsin Dells, WI Dubuque, IA

61 miles 68 miles 208 miles 222 miles 146 miles 133 miles 50 miles 72 miles

n LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Richland Center is situated halfway between La Crosse and Madison, within the Ocooch Mountain region of southwest Wisconsin. The city is at the mid-point between the big-city markets of Chicago and Minneapolis. U.S. Route 14 and Wisconsin Highway 80 intersect in Richland Center, providing convenient links to other major arterial highways running through Wisconsin. Running along Richland County’s southern border is the 100-mile Wisconsin River, from the Empire Prairie to the Mississippi river.

• Thunder in the Hills Independence Day Celebration in Richland Center • Mick Memorial Park in Hub City Softball Tournaments, Truck & Tractor Pull, ATV Drag Races held in June, July and August • Boaz Fun Days & Cazenovia Celebration in July • Walk with G.R.A.C.E. in August (Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination) • Sangria Days at Weggy Winery in August

n THE CENTER OF HISTORY

• Richland County Fair in September

In 1842, Richland County came into being. Wisconsin itself was a young state gaining statehood in 1848. In 1851, Richland Center was platted by Ira S. Haseltine, covering 16 square blocks. Haseltine offered land and other benefits to the county if it would move its seat of government to Richland Center from Orion, on the Wisconsin River. In 1852, the move was approved. Throughout the remainder of the 1850s, Richland Center grew as a commercial and financial center in the county.

• Center Color Fest with many activities, and the “Canyon of Lights Parade” in October • Rotary Lights in the Park display November and December Event dates and details for Richland Center are listed in the Calendar of Events section on our website at richlandcentertourism.com. Check back often to see what’s happening!

hiddenvalleys.com | 37

RICHLAND COUNTY With a past full of citizens, like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ada James, and landmarks such as the A.D. German Warehouse, the Mapleside footbridge, a bridge across the Pine River, and the first Municipal Auditorium in the State of Wisconsin, Richland Center is a historical area. Today, with more than 5,000 residents, Richland Center is the only incorporated community in Richland County. The city’s central location in the county and its significance as the county’s commercial and cultural focal point make the community the ideal base from which to explore the rest of beautiful Richland County. Stop in the Visitor’s Center for a historic walking tour map of the Court Street Commercial Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Many commercial buildings and homes from the late 19th century are still intact and within easy walking distance of each other.

n BIRTHPLACE OF

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

Frank Lloyd Wright was born on June 8, 1867, to William Carey Wright and Anna Lloyd Jones in Richland County. During 1917 through 1921, some of the most tumultuous years of his life, Wright designed the German Warehouse in his hometown for Albert Dell German’s wholesale grocery business. The warehouse follows the design mode of this time frame exhibited in other Wright buildings, including the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Midway Gardens in Chicago, and the

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

Frederick C. Bogk House in Milwaukee. The warehouse is a significant example of early poured concrete construction topped off by an impressive ornamental frieze. It is the only commercial building designed by Wright from this period that is still extant.

n A DA JAMES Ada James is Richland Center’s most widely known suffragist and is known for her work with disadvantaged children and women. In 1892, she and several other high school girls formed the Equality Club to assist in the campaign for women’s suffrage. Thanks to their efforts, in 1919 Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the 19th amendment. Richland Center women exerted influence in the suffrage movement far beyond the boundaries of Richland County. Ada James and her colleagues worked diligently for years, culminating in women voting nationwide for the first time in the presidential election of 1920.

nW ISCONSIN’S FIRST

MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM The Richland Center City Municipal Auditorium was built in 1912. The Women’s Federated Clubs pushed the city council to be progressive and establish a place of culture and governance. This is the first municipal auditorium (both theater and government offices in one setting) in the state of Wisconsin. The process of fully renovating the building and creating the Richland County Performing Arts Center is currently underway.

Lodging Facilities in Richland County RICHLAND CENTER Motels Center Lodge 608.647.8988 | 100 Foundry Dr Park View Inn 608.647.6354 | 511 W. 6th St Ramada Inn – White House 608.647.6158 | 1450 Veterans Dr Starlite Motel 608.647.6158 | 2000 Hwy 14 East

Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses Candlewood Cabins 608.647.5720 | 29493 Hwy 80 Jacquish Hollow Angler (seasonal) 608.585.2239 | 32491 Jacquish South Rd Littledale Farm (seasonal) 608.647.7118 | 21925 Cty Hwy ZZ Rembrandt & Rutabagas 608.647.6859 | 21945 Galway Ln

Campgrounds Alana Springs Campground 608.647.2600 | 22628 Covered Bridge Rd Richland County Fairgrounds 608.647.6859 | 23630 Cty Hwy AA

BLUE RIVER Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses Cream Pitcher Bed & Breakfast 608.536.3607 | 16334 Gault Hollow Rd

Campgrounds Eagle Cave 608.537.2988 | 16320 Cavern Ln

LONE ROCK Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses Dalewood Retreat 608.647.3708 | 30977 Cty Hwy B

A.D. German Warehouse

Campgrounds Fireside Campground 608.583.5111 | 29996 Hwy 14

ROCKBRIDGE Campgrounds Pier County Park 608.647.4673 | St Hwy 80

VIOLA Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses Inn at Elk Run 608.625.2066 | S4125 Cty Rd SS

Campgrounds Photo by Teal Tizzy

38 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Blakely Hobbit 608.627.1461 | S5106 Elk Run Rd Viola Banker Park 608.627.1831

RICHLAND COUNTY n PURPLE HEART CITY Governor Scott McCallum designated Richland Center as Wisconsin’s first Purple Heart City in the nation, in 2002. The Purple Heart Memorial is located in the American Legion Veterans Memorial Flag Park on Highway 14 West, between the UW–Richland Campus and Krouskop Park. You will see the flags blowing as you travel Highway 14.

n R ICHLAND COUNTY

VETERANS MEMORIAL The memorial is dedicated to all Veterans of Richland County, beginning with the War of 1812, and honors those who have served, those who are serving, and those who will serve. It lists names of individuals who have been military personnel during a war or a conflict, or in peacetime, a resident of Richland County at some period in their life and who have been honorably discharged by the military (names are verified).

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

• Trout Fishing There are 267 miles of Class I and Class II Trout Streams here in Richland County. The county has become a destination for anglers from near and far to experience this world class fishery. • C anoeing and Kayaking The lower Wisconsin River is large, relatively swiftmoving, and surrounded by hidden backwaters. The Kickapoo River is famous for its winding course and a favorite of paddlers. The Pine River winds through valleys, under a natural bridge, and boasts scenic views of bluffs and lowlands. • Snowmobiling in Richland County offers 134 miles of groomed trails. • The Pine River Recreation Trail is a 15-mile bike trail constructed on an abandoned railroad bed. The scenic trail follows the Pine River from Richland Center to Lone Rock. Ride over 15 bridges with spans up to 240 feet. Includes four ecosystems and longest curved bridge in Wisconsin. The trail is for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling.

• Lower Wisconsin River Road Scenic Byway, Highway 60, follows the Wisconsin River for 100 miles threading between the bluffs and the Wisconsin River or its backwaters. The byway has thousands of acres of public lands to explore and a variety of recreational opportunities Visitors to the Richland County area soon discover that creativity and originality are part of what rural Wisconsin is all about. From live music to theater, from galleries to historical sites, to the scenery of the Ocooch Mountain range, and the wildlife that shares the bounty of the rich land, there is plenty to do and see. Come explore, celebrate, and experience the Midwest seasons in Richland County. Richland County offers adventures that are peaceful and serene or exciting and extreme to help you relax, recharge, and get away from it all.

The Memorial is located along US Highway 14, next to the old railroad depot where our soldiers and marines boarded the train as far back as the Civil War to go off to war.

n EFFIGY MOUNDS Richland County and Southern Wisconsin is where thousands of earthen monuments in the shapes of animals, spirit figures, and humans were built by ancient peoples. These fascinating mounds provide us with rare insights into the ideas of those bygone people. Internationally famous, the mounds have few items deliberately included that might help to explain them—adding to the mystery. The mounds were built 1,000 years ago, between A.D. 750 and 1050. The end of the mound construction coincides with the arrival of foreigners from the south (Illinois). Many of the effigy mounds contain human burials. All mounds are regarded by Indian people as being sacred.

n FOUR SEASONS OF FUN FROM EXTREME…TO SERENE Richland County offers adventures that are peaceful and serene or exciting and extreme to help you relax, recharge, and get away from it all. Camping, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, golfing, biking, hiking, ice skating, snow shoeing— Richland County has it all.

Photo by Nick Bristol

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RICHLAND COUNTY

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

Richland Center Tourism Richland Center Tourism promotes the natural beauty of Richland Center and Richland County, Wisconsin as well as the entertainment and activities in the area. We promote area special events to draw visitors wanting to stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop at local businesses. We assist in educating our local patrons to provide tourists with information to create a great place to visit. Come to visit and stay a while!

Information: richlandcentertourism.com 397 W. Seminary St., Richland Center, WI 53581 608.649.3376 | Fax: 608.647.8360 | visitor.center@richlandcenter.com The Visitor Center is open Monday – Saturday 10am-3pm between May and October. Off season please call the Clerk’s office 608-647-3466 at 450 S. Main Street.

Candlewood Cabins KEEPING AD ? Welcome to Your Home Away From Home Sit back, Relax and enjoy some of the most scenic area in the country when you stay at RD Country Guest House! We’re a premiere vacation home rental in Southwest Wisconsin with rates starting at $135! Reserve today! 23091 Vineyard Lane Muscoda, WI 53573

608-647-3672

RDCountryGuestHouse.com

Historical and Architectural Tours of Richland Center

Enjoy a guided tour viewing structures in the Richland Center Residential Historic District and the Court Street Commercial Historic District (NRHP 1989). Richland Center has a long history of interesting citizens including prominent architect Frank Lloyd Wright and noted suffragist and reformer Ada James. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the A.D. German Warehouse in Richland Center, his birth place. You have a choice of a walking tour or a guided tour using a vintage convertible. The auto tour is much more extensive and we see the many sites that have connections to Wright and other modernist architects. Richland Center has examples of most 19th and 20th century architectural styles including mid-century modern, you will be surprised. Reservations are highly recommended, weather dependent, additional times and group rates available by appointment.

For more information: 608.604.5034 | 220 E. Union Street, Richland Center, WI 53581 larbegust@gmail.com | adgermanwarehouse.org Facebook.com/richlandcenterheritagewalk

40 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

RICHLAND COUNTY

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

EVENTS

Plus many more events throughout the year! Event dates and details for Richland Center are listed in the Calendar of Events section and on our website at richlandcentertourism.com. Check back often to see what’s happening! April TBD | Big Top Chautauqua May 12 | Motorsports Mayhem June 16 | June Dairy Days-Rodeo Parade June 10 | Richland County Dairy Breakfast June 30 | Thunderfest | Richland Center July 3-4 | Lone Rock 4th of July Celebration

The A.D. German Warehouse

An architectural masterpiece, like any masterpiece, gains in meaning and enriches its owners and its community. The joys of an architectural masterpiece are its long lasting lessons and beauty. Such distinction belongs the A.D. German Warehouse designed in 1915 by Frank Lloyd Wright, located in Richland Center, his birthplace in 1867. This building is one of Wright’s architectural gems listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin. It is the only warehouse designed by Wright and was built during his “organic” or “natural” period (1911-1924) which also included the famous Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and Midway For more information visit the A.D. German Warehouse Gardens in Chicago. The A.D. German Warehouse is an impressive website: www.adgermanwarehouse.org brick structure topped by a magnificent concrete frieze. It employs a 608-649-1915 or 608-604-5034 unique structural concept known as the “Burton Spider-web system.” A.D. German Warehouse Conservancy, Inc. The A.D. German Warehouse Conservancy (ADGWC) is committed to P.O. Box 436 • Richland Center, WI. 53581 seeing this building redeveloped and reoccupied with a stable primary Open Sundays, May through October, 11am-3pm. Additional times by appointment. use compatible with the building, including a heritage tourism program. Facebook.com/germanwarehouse

Richland County Performing Arts Center

To learn more information about the building or how you may become involved: 608.475.0973 182 North Central Avenue, NRHP 1980 e: norbertcalnin@gmail.com

Designed by La Crosse, Wis. architect Percy Dwight Bentley, this red brick municipal building was completed in 1912. Much of the impetus for the creation of the building originated with the influence of the Federated Women’s Clubs. It was described as the finest show house between Chicago and Minneapolis; first rate acts came to Richland Center because there were suitable dressing rooms and a sizeable stage for their shows to go on. The building was acquired in 2009 by the Richland County Performing Arts Council (RCPAC). The organization plans to create a self-sufficient cultural and business center that will strengthen the economic and artistic growth of the community. RCPAC is embarking on phase one of the building renovation. The Richland County Performing Arts Council (RCPAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to operating and restoring the first municipal auditorium built in Wisconsin.

www.rcpac.org

Richland County History Room Brewer Public Library 325 North Central Avenue Richland Center, WI 53581

http//freepages.history.rootsweb .com/~richlandcowi

Mention this ad when you visit! richlandctyhistoryroom@yahoo.com

(608) 647-6033

HOURS OF OPERATION Mon, Wed, and Fri: 10am-3pm 1st & 3rd Saturday/each month: 10am-2pm

A Treasure House in a Historic 130+ yearold, 17 room boarding house.

Open Friday 10 am - 5 pm Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

339 W. Seminary St. Richland Center 608.647.7358

Summer music events on Facebook & boardinghouseantiques.com

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RICHLAND COUNTY

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com

Oakwood Fruit Farm, Inc. 31128 Apple Ridge Rd. • Richland Center, WI (608) 585-2701 • oakwoodfruitfarm.com Open 9-5 daily Seven days a week OFFICE – Phone (608) 647-8108 1050 N. Orange St. • Richland Center, WI www.ci.richland-center.wi.us

Fireside Campground

Over 20 Varieties of Apples In Season Available Mid-August to Christmas

33533 Jay Lane • Lone Rock 608-583-5111

Family farmers from the Driftless Area grow our grains. We then grind them at our mill in Lone Rock, using a traditional mill stone, which allows the flour to retain its high nutrition and excellent flavor. The flour is then used by area bakeries, restaurants and consumers to create high quality breads and baked goods.

New Full Hook Up Sites RV 30 & 50 Amp Pull Through Sites Secluded Tent Sites

Full Service Cabin Rental Park Model Rental Free Wireless Internet

Bringing Family & Friends Together . . . One Campfire at a Time. www.firesidecampground.com

To find where our product is available visit us online at www.lonesomestonemilling.com Or stop by our storefront at 304 South Oak Street in Lone Rock

Richland County Parks

“Gateway of the Ocooch Mountains i n the heart of the Driftless Area” Primitive Camping at Pier Natural Bridge Park at Rockbridge 608-647-4673 Viola County Park – Highway 56, Viola Richland County Fairgrounds 608-647-6859 • 225 campsites • Electricity • Flush bathrooms • Showers Richland County Parks Commission 26136 Executive Lane Richland Center, WI 53581 608-647-2100

www.parkscommission.co.richland.wi.us 42 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

RICHLAND COUNTY

co.richland.wi.us | richlandcentertourism.com h

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Natural Area

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State & County Park

US Highway State Highway County Road

Class 1 Trout Stream River

Lone Rock

10 Miles

Richland County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit co.richland.wi.us/richlandcentertourism.com

Bike Route Snowmobile Trail

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JUNEAU COUNTY

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

Welcome to Juneau County

Don’t Miss... In May • Camp Douglas Armed Forces Days • Wonewoc Old Fashion Days In June

Photo Credit: Gail Boehm

• Elroy Fair From the rigors of your labor to the rivers and the lakes, from work to the woods, or your business to your backpack, it’s only minutes away in Juneau County. We invite you to explore Juneau County. We know you’ll find a reason to stay for a day, a week, or a lifetime. Juneau County offers nourishment for the soul, so let the adventures begin!

EASY ACCESS

Geographical diversity is a hallmark of Juneau County with each community’s unique and beautiful landscape. Interstate 90/94 provides immediate access to Lyndon Station, Mauston, New Lisbon, and Camp Douglas. State Highways 21, 80, and 82 reach into the communities of Necedah, Elroy, Wonewoc, Union Center, Finley, and Sprague. The Village of Hustler is only a short distance from Camp Douglas via County Highway H, while Highway 173 takes you to Mather.

CAMPGROUNDS AND PARKS

Half of Juneau County is forested, and about 75,000 acres are park land. Mile Bluff State Park has picturesque rock formations that overlook a camping/picnic area, hiking trails, and a swimming pond with sand beach. Climb the trail and stone steps to the bluff’s top and you’re at the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. The southeastern access to Juneau County begins at Rocky Arbor State Park, straddling the border with Sauk County. Gorgeous Buckhorn State Park, located between Mauston and Necedah off Highway 58, is on the western shore of Castle Rock Lake. The 160-acre Juneau County Castle Rock Park is situated in a beautiful wooded area along the lake’s southwestern shore and offers nearly 200 camping sites. In northeastern Juneau County, you’ll find Wilderness County Park situated along the west shore of Petenwell Flowage, offering

44 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

In July • New Lisbon’s Wa Du Shuda Days • Lyndon Station’s ParkFest In August • Waterfest Venetian Lights Boat Parade • Hustler’s Hustlerfest • Juneau County Fair In September • The Juneau County Fly-In/Drive-In In October • Mauston Pumpkin Bash Plus many more events throughout the year. Check juneaucounty.com often to see what’s going on!

JUNEAU COUNTY

nearly 100 camping sites. Kennedy County Park is north of New Lisbon and has several rustic camping sites. Bass Hollow in southcentral Juneau County is 280 acres, ideal for picnicking or hiking on the five miles of walking trails. There are also several private campgrounds throughout the county.

THE LAKES OF JUNEAU COUNTY

If its sun and water fun you seek, Juneau County’s lakes region is the place to be. Petenwell and Castle Rock Lakes are the second and fourth largest inland bodies of water in Wisconsin. The lakes offer numerous beaches with several public boat-launching areas. Built on sand, the Castle Rock and Petenwell Dams are unique, and were the first such projects undertaken in the U.S. The concrete dams are classified as “floating type construction” with imbedded cutoff walls that penetrate deep into the glacial sands for anchoring. The construction of the lakes was started in 1947 and completed in 1950. Both lakes have plenty of room for water skiing, jet skiing, and boating. They also offer exceptional fishing with many species of fish. Other lakes in Juneau County include Lake Decorah in Mauston, Eagle’s Nest Flowage and the Meadow Valley Flowage near Camp Douglas, New Lisbon Lake, Sprague-Mather Flowage near Necedah, and several others. You’re sure to find the fishing and water festivities of your choice in these lakes!

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

The refuge is open year round from sunrise to sunset for wildlife observation, photography, hiking, fishing, hunting, and much more! The visitor Center is open 9am-4pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Federal holidays, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. Please see the website for seasonal information and events: fws.gov/refuge/Necedah. Events and hours are subject to change so please call ahead. Contact the refuge at 608.565.2551 or Necedah@fws.gov for more information. All events are supported by the Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Inc.

BICYCLING AT ITS BEST

Juneau County offers three exceptional bicycling trail experiences. Elroy, once a prominent railroad center, is now the hub of these well-groomed bike trails. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail, most renowned as the “Grand Dad of All Trails,” was the first in the U.S. to be converted under the now popular Rails-To-Trails conversion program. Formerly the Chicago and North Western Railroad bed, this 32- mile-long trail passes

through three tunnels which were hand dug in the 1870s. The 12.5-mile Omaha Trail runs between downtown Camp Douglas and Elroy, passes through the Village of Hustler, and features an 875-foot-long tunnel. The 400 State Trail is the namesake for the Chicago and North Western Passenger Train, which traveled the 400 miles from

WILDLIFE

Follow nature’s calendar and you’re likely to see many examples of Wisconsin’s wildlife species in their natural habitat. Karner blue butterflies, wild turkeys, bald eagles, redtail hawks, partridge, pheasants, white-tail deer, gray wolves, coyotes, fox, whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, wood ducks, loons. and swans are just some of the variety that can be seen in Juneau County. The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1939, is 44,000 acres of preserved natural beauty. It is located about four miles west of Necedah and is easily accessed from State Highway 21. The refuge provides programs for organized groups by reservation and general programs, which are open and free to the public, on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

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JUNEAU COUNTY

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

EXPRESS YOURSELF! Home School Art Classes • Art Education • Parties • Art Club • Art Gallery • Sewing Classes • Healthy Lifestyle Classes

Peggy Dennison, Ph.D. - Director

All Ages Welcome!

/artisticexpressionsmauston.com 234 W. State Street, Mauston

608-350-0610

The Perfect Place For Your Event! Family Reunions • Weddings • Graduations • Baby Showers • Parties • Memorial Services • Recitals • Group Meetings • Seminars • Fashion Show • Movies, Lectures or Classes & More!

Call now to schedule your next event! www.2sisterseventcenter.com 2.sisters@frontier.com Chicago to Minneapolis in 400 minutes. The Baraboo River intertwines the entire 22 miles of the smooth packed trail, which connects Reedsburg and Elroy. Along the route of wetlands, sandstone bluffs, meadows, and rolling farmlands, you can take a break in the friendly communities of Wonewoc and Union Center. There are also 33 trestles along with wooden bridges that have been planked over and fitted with guardrails for added user protection. During the season, only bicyclists and hikers are allowed on the trail. All motorized traffic is prohibited. As Juneau County is still home to three major modern rail lines, the nostalgic sound of rolling cars and the occasional train whistle can still be heard while biking on these Rails-To-Trails pathways. Trail passes are required. Bicycle rentals are available. Flashlights and jackets are recommended when walking bikes through the tunnels. For more information about the bike trails, contact the Elroy Commons Information Center at 608.462.BIKE (2453) or 888.606.BIKE (2453), or Omaha Bicycle Trail Headquarters at 608.427.6542.

ILITARY PRESENCE IN M JUNEAU COUNTY

Camp Douglas is home to the Volk Field and Camp Williams military facilities. Nestled among the rugged peaks of natural rock formations and the beautiful terrain of the area, Volk Field is a full service military readiness training complex. Camp Williams is co-located with Volk Field and is operated by the Army National Guard. An open house is held every two years for the public and affords the opportunity to increase awareness of the Volk Field/Camp Williams military facilities. Questions can be directed to 608.427.1210. Camp Williams is the headquarters of the United States Property and Fiscal Office for the State of Wisconsin, as well as the Army National Guard’s Consolidated State Maintenance Facility. Camp Williams boasts facilities that range from the early 19th century to the late 20th. Be sure to visit the Wisconsin National Guard Museum, located at historic Camp Williams/Volk Field; it is dedicated to preserving the memory of service and sacrifice by our military men and women, and also features the rich history of the National Guard. Its log building was constructed in 1896 originally as an officer’s club for National Guard members. Nestled in a park-like setting, the museum—with its numerous exhibits—is complemented by an outdoor collection of unique and unusual historic aircraft, tanks, and selfpropelled guns. Finley is the home to the Hardwood Air-toGround Weapons Range (R-6904), which is one of fifteen Air National Guard (ANG) ranges located throughout the U.S. and

46 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Puerto Rico. The entire facility is under the operational control of the Air National Guard as part of the Combat Readiness Training Center, Volk Field ANG Base. The mission of Hardwood Range is to provide training for combat aircrews through presentation of a variety of realistic target arrays for air-to-ground weapons delivery. An open house is held every two years for the public and affords the opportunity to increase awareness of the range and its activities. Range personnel can be contacted at 608.427.1555 for more information.

WINTER ADVENTURES

Winter offers Juneau County visitors a bounty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Ice fishing, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, and snowmobiling are popular activities along with sleigh rides and horseback riding. Red Ridge Ranch and Woodside Ranch are both located just outside of Mauston and are open year-round. The Oak Ridge Trail and Buckhorn State Park Trails, both located just outside of New Lisbon, offer excellent cross-country skiing routes through miles of well-marked and groomed trails. Additional snowmobile trails are maintained throughout Juneau County by the many local snowmobile clubs. Juneau County also has marked ATV trails.

JUNEAU COUNTY n

CANOEING AND KAYAKING

BARABOO RIVER: Put in at the Highway 33 bridge next to the Golf Course at Union Center. Head downstream to Wonewoc, for a nice three-hour passage. Try a picnic lunch (about half way) at Third Castle, which is a rock pinnacle where a picnic table awaits. For rentals contact Beyond Boundaries at 608.464.7433 or goingfarbeyond.com. LEMONWEIR RIVER: Paddle the popular route from Kennedy Park to New Lisbon’s Riverside Park & Campground. Continue on to Mauston, doing some fishing along the way. The next leg to Lemonweir Mills is a full day’s journey to the Wisconsin River, with possible log jams requiring portaging. There is a nice boat landing just before the junction with the Wisconsin River. For information contact the Mauston Chamber of Commerce at 608.847.4142 or visitmauston.com, or the New Lisbon Chamber of Commerce at 608.562.3555 or newlisbonchamber.com. WISCONSIN RIVER: From Wood County across Lake Petenwell to the dam is big water paddling where winds can cause

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

high waves. The Wilderness Park has great camping. Put your canoe/kayak in at the Highway 21 boat ramp to go down river to the Buckhorn State Park (dnr.state.wi.us) or the Castle Rock County Park. From the Adams County side, use the boat landing below Castle Rock Dam. Paddle or tube float to Castle Rock Resort, Point Bluff Marina, or the Two Rivers Boat landing on the Lemonweir River. Further downstream you will access the River Bay Marina on the Juneau County shore. For rentals contact: Point Bluff Resort at 608.253.6181 or pointbluff.com.

Rock & Mineral Gift Shop

www.stjosephresort.com NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Necedah Wildlife Refuge Buckhorn State Park Castle Rock/Petenwell Lake Casinos • Wisconsin Dells

STAY YOuR WAY

Motel Rooms Standard & Deluxe 1 & 2 Bedroom Cabins Honeymoon Cabin Camping Cabins • Campground

ACTIVITIES

Kids Playground • Campfire pits Horseshoe Pits • Volleyball Extensive Walking Trails ATV Trails Access to County Trails Fish Cleaning Facility Fishing Nearby

608-565-7258 W5630 Hwy. 21 P.O. Box 467 Necedah, WI 54646 One mile east of Hwy. 80 on Hwy. 21

www.stjosephresort.com

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JUNEAU COUNTY

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

throughout the year. The Juneau County Fair is in August and features a rodeo, draft horse pull, and demolition derby, as well as showcasing the many, many crafts and products of local artisans and 4-H youth.

YELLOW RIVER: Paddling from the Necedah Dam to Crappie Point on Castle Rock Lake is a steady five to six hour jaunt, with some portaging likely due to log jams. For information, contact the Village of Necedah at 608.565.2261 weekdays or necedah.info@tds.net, or the Reel Inn at 608.565.2262 after 11am and weekends, or on Facebook. The forested setting of our rivers has a remote feel. Take in the diverse collection of wildlife and birds. Be sure to remember your camera for the breathtaking scenery and panoramic views. The waterways of Juneau County have many islands to stop and explore, or even to cookout for lunch.

COME JOIN US!

Each of our communities offers various activities, festivals, and celebrations

Fiber Optic Network Phone • Internet • TV

127 US Hwy. 12, Camp Douglas 201 Leer St., New Lisbon getlynxx.com • 608-427-6515

Village of Necedah “Home of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge” Where Recreation, Relaxation Meet Nature’s Beauty www.necedah.us Ph 608-565-2260

The Juneau County Economic Development Corporation has made tourism a priority and works closely with the area Chambers of Commerce to ensure the most enjoyable experience for every guest to our county. They have been instrumental in mapping out bike, ATV, and snowmobile trails, as well as boating and paddling routes through our plentiful waterways. Check out juneaucounty.com or call 608.427.2070 for a wide variety of up to date tourism information.

CAMP DOUGLAS

Camp Douglas has some of the most breathtaking, freestanding rock formations and bluffs surrounding the Village. Camp Douglas is the trailhead for the Omaha Bike Trail and also home to Camp Williams and Volk Field military facilities. Camp Douglas Armed Forces Day Celebration takes place in May. The village hosts citywide garage sales the third week of August. Call 608.427.3355 for more information.

ELROY

The noise and the rush of passenger trains carrying countless pioneers and dreamers west are no more than an echo. The city of Elroy, once a prominent railroad center, is now the hub of three bike trails. Nestled in southwestern Wisconsin, visitors to this area will find a thriving, friendly community that extends a warm welcome to all those who come to visit. The Elroy-Sparta Trail is 32 miles of smooth, hard-packed, crushed limestone that wind through wooded valleys and small towns. This trail boasts three century-old tunnels that were dug out with pick axes in the 1870s. Two of these tunnels are a quarter mile long, and the other tunnel is just under a mile long. The 400 State Trail runs 22 miles from Elroy to Reedsburg and has a limestone surface. This trail was named for the Chicago and North Western passenger train, which traveled the 400 miles from Chicago to Minneapolis in 400 minutes. The 400 trail parallels the Baraboo River, crossing it 11 times. The Omaha Trail is a peaceful, secluded ride from Elroy to Camp Douglas. This asphalt trail brings you through 12.5

48 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

miles of beautiful farmland and one 875-foot tunnel. The hub of these three trails is the Elroy Commons, which is a lovely downtown park providing a trail shop where trail passes can be purchased along with souvenirs, snacks, and many other items. The Elroy Commons is also a trail information center which offers restrooms with shower facilities, parking, bike rentals, and a picnic area. If you are planning to stay the night or the whole week, Elroy has camping available at Schultz Park, which is located a half mile south of the Elroy Commons, and just off of the 400 State Trail. This campground offers tent camping, RV camping with water and electric hookups, a swimming pool, playground, and a dump station. Arrangements for camping at Schultz Park can be made at the Elroy Commons.

FINLEY, SPRAGUE, & MATHER

Finley, Sprague, and Mather of northern Juneau County may appear small on a map, but they are big on adventure! While Finley and Sprague border the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Mather sits between the refuge and the Meadow Valley State Wildlife Area. In addition to the excellent hunting and fishing offered, the immense size and diversity of both of these properties provide some fine opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, berry picking, and observing wildlife in a truly natural setting. Finley is also home to the Hardwood Air-to-Ground Weapons Range, which provides training for combat aircrews through presentation of a variety of realistic target arrays for air-to-ground weapons delivery. An open house is held every two years for the public and affords the opportunity to increase awareness of the range and its activities, and visitors are welcome to observe activities during operating hours. Events are held each year in Finley, Sprague, and Mather. At Josie’s Hideaway and Wilderness Inn just north of Necedah along Highway 80, activities include pool tournaments, ATV poker runs, and an annual “Can’t afford to go to Sturgis” party, which is held the first weekend in August.

HUSTLER

Hustler is a small farming community that settled in the 1880s. The last weekend of

JUNEAU COUNTY

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

Copyright Diane Dahl, Off the Wall Designs August, however, Hustler doesn’t settle down until their annual Hustlerfest is done. Hustlerfest celebrations overflow with food, fun, crafts, games, music, tractor pulls, and a parade.

LYNDON STATION

Lyndon Station is a quaint little village with a historic connection to Ireland and an interstate connection to I-90/94. The interstate provides Lyndon Station with easy access to nearby Rocky Arbor State Park as well as ample camping throughout Lyndon Station. Towards the eastern part of Juneau County, just past Lyndon Station, you’ll find the 15-inch gauge railway of the Riverside & Great Northern Railway steam locomotives that the entire family will enjoy. The small steam engines take you through picturesque woods before or after you tour the Locomotive Shop, the Boiler Shop, the Roundhouse, and the Coaling Tower. Even though the right-of-way is wide enough for a full-size train, only the small locomotives are on these tracks. Take your time and visit the Gift Shop or the historical Lunch Room.

MAUSTON

Mauston has plenty of choices for eating experiences. There are several locations of fast food, buffets, or family-style dining whether enjoying your meal downtown or all around Castle Rock Lake. While downtown, take a walk along “the river of memories,” otherwise known as the Lemonweir River. The Hatch Public Library has a spacious view of the river. A lot of local history can be found at The Boorman House, just across the river. Other adventures located around Mauston include unique shopping at The Red Geranium, golfing, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, horseback riding, and more, such as: • Waterfest Parade of boats at Castle Rock Park the first weekend in August • Juneau County Fair in August • Fly-In at the airport Saturday of Labor Day Weekend • Annual Pumpkin Bash in October

NECEDAH

Necedah is a Ho-Chunk Indian word meaning “land of yellow water.” The

Yellow River, Wisconsin River, Castle Rock Lake, and Petenwell Lake are located near Necedah. Step into the beauty of central Wisconsin and immerse yourself in a mosaic of habitats on 44,000 acres of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Savanna, prairie, wetland, and forest all intertwine across the refuge’s new visitor center and boardwalks. Take in the sights and sounds of the refuge in the exhibit hall or visit with friendly staff to find the right hiking trail or driving experience for you. The refuge hosts over 230 bird species, including red-headed

Over 30 years experience

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As seen Disco ron Wisconve si and the n Food Network

Award Winning Products Products Award Winning

N5340 Hwy. HH, Mauston, WI 53948 Phone 608-847-7413 www.wisconsinrivermeats.com

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JUNEAU COUNTY JUNEAU COUNTY PARKS

CASTlE ROCK COUNTY PARK N6700 22Nd Ave., MAustoN WildERNESS COUNTY PARK N14054 21st Ave. N, NecedAh KENNEdY PARK couNty truNk M BASS HOllOW RECREATiON AREA N1060 hwy. k, MAustoN OmAHA BiKE TRAil cAMp douglAs to elroy CAmPiNg RESERvATiONS ACCEPTEd CASTlE ROCK PARK ~ (608) 847-7089 WildERNESS PARK ~ (608) 585-7285 mAiN OffiCE ~ (608) 847-9389 fOR mORE iNfORmATiON ~ JUNEAUCOUNTY.COm

woodpeckers, whooping cranes, wood ducks, and eagles. Visitors also have a chance to see bears, deer, porcupines, otter, turtles, wolves, and many more wildlife species. Although the “Great Swamp” may be known for its biting insects, don’t dismiss our dragonflies and butterflies! One of the most sought after insects by photographers includes the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge stretches north and south along Highway 80 and east and west along Highway 21. The visitor center is located off of Highway 21 four miles west of Necedah or 18 miles east of Tomah. Turn north onto Headquarters Road and follow the signs two miles to the visitor center.

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

NEW LISBON

The New Lisbon area once was a gathering place for the Woodland Culture Indians during the winter months. Today people gather in New Lisbon at Riverside Park to celebrate Wa Du Shuda Days, held the first weekend after July 4th with music, food, fireworks, and family fun. The park has a large campground, shelters, and a boat landing for access to the Lemonweir River. It also has newly renovated RV parking, tent camp sites, restrooms, and showers. The Burr Oak Winery hosts a Spring Festival the end of April and a Harvest Festival the first weekend after Labor Day. Both events showcase artists, crafters, entertainers, and of course, wine. For tours, call 608.562.5271 or visit burroakwinery.com. A lot of Native American history is preserved in New Lisbon, including the Effigy Burial Mounds and a large arrowhead collection at the New Lisbon Public Library. The New Lisbon area attracts visitors year-round for activities, including fishing, canoeing, hunting, biking, snowmobiling, and hiking the beautiful bluffs left as reminders of the glaciers that once covered the region.

UNION CENTER

The Village of Union Center is located at the junction of State Highways 33, 80 and 82. Surrounded by towering bluffs along the Baraboo River, Union Center offers

Photo Credit: Gail Boehm

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a friendly community full of hospitality, recreation, and amenities. The Eagle Parkway is situated near the center of the village, right along the 400 State Trail. The trail offers visitors hiking, bicycling, and snowmobiling. The Eagle Parkway offers an open shelter for picnics, a playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and horseshoe pits. To reserve the shelter for your special occasion, please call the Village Hall at 608.462.8810. Near the park, St. Theresa’s Adoration Chapel is available for 24-hour adoration. This tranquil and exquisite chapel, open year-round, was formerly the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, which was built in 1863. Along the bluffs and around the Baraboo River is Spring Valley Golf Course, which, in addition to exceptional golf, offers a bar and restaurant to start off or finish up your day of activity. Come see what Union Center has to offer. Visit us for a great day or entire weekend away!

WONEWOC

Wonewoc, located in southwestern Juneau County, is the midpoint of the 400 State Trail. If you want recreation and beautiful scenery— we have it! Biking, hiking, snowmobiling, camping, and canoeing on the Baraboo River. Camping facilities are available at Baker’s Field or at the American Legion Park, which has a swimming pool.

JUNEAU COUNTY Situated on the hill overlooking the Village of Wonewoc is the Wisconsin Spiritualist Camp established in 1874. The camp is visited by thousands of people each year.

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

Thank you for taking a closer look at Juneau County, where you’ll make many memories by enjoying its adventures.

The 400 State Trail is a 22-mile recreational trail that runs between Reedsburg and Elroy and links with 101 miles of recreational trails. Wonewoc offers a variety of retailers, gif t shops and many f ine eating establishments. Visit Wonewoc often— you’ll definitely enjoy it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Juneau County Economic Development Corporation 122 Main Street (PO Box 322) Camp Douglas, WI 54618 juneaucounty.com jcedc@juneaucounty.com 608.427.2070 | 888.898.2550 Camp Douglas Village Hall 304 Center Street (PO Box 294) Camp Douglas, WI 54618 | 608.427.3355

SUNRISE MOTEL

City of Elroy 225 Main Street | Elroy, WI 53929 elroywi.com | 608.462.2400

N9695 State Road 80, Necedah, WI 54646 Email: small.town@live.com

(608) 565-2418

For bike information 888.606.2453 | 608.462.2410

All Rooms Include Microwave, Mini-Refrigerator, Coffee Maker, Free WI-FI, Satellite TV with 100+ Channels

Mauston Area Chamber of Commerce 651 Union Street Plaza (PO Box 171) Mauston, WI 53948 mauston.com | chamber@mauston.com 608.847.4142 | 866.516.1646 Necedah National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/refuge/Necedah Necedah@fws.gov | 608.565.2551 Information on crane migration: savingcranes.org Necedah Village Hall 101 Center Street | Necedah, WI 54646 necedah.us | 608.565.2261 New Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce 218 East Bridge Street (PO Box 79) New Lisbon, WI 53950 newlisbonchamber.com nlchambr@mwt.net | 608.562.3555 Village of Union Center 339 High Street | Union Center, WI 53962 villageofuc.com | 608.462.8810 Village of Wonewoc 200 West Street (PO Box 37) Wonewoc, WI 53968 wonewocwisc.com | 608.464.3114 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources dnr.state.wi.us Take a closer look at Juneau County website for more community events and adventures by going to juneaucounty.com or juneaudells.com

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JUNEAU COUNTY

Worth a Closer Look | juneaucounty.com

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Rocky Arbor State Park

HEART OF HIDDEN VALLEYS Heart of Hidden Valleys Driving Tour Driving Tour

We begin our adventure through the Heart of Hidden Valleys in Richland County’s largest community and county seat, RICHLAND CENTER. Richland Center was settled on both sides of the Pine River by trappers canoeing up the Wisconsin River. By 1880 it was a thriving community of 1,227. World-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born here in 1867. He returned in 1915 to build the unique A.D. German Warehouse located on Church Street. The beautifully restored, 1909 railroad depot now houses Richland Center’s Visitor Center, 800.422.1318, on the corner of Highway 14 and Seminary Street One block north of the Visitor Center is Court Street, the downtown main street. Restaurants, art galleries, and many unique shops are readily available in the downtown area. On the outer areas of Richland Center, apple orchards cover the hillsides with spring blossoms and fall fruit. Take advantage of more shopping, a place to spend the night, and a fast burger, all of which can be found before leaving town, as we head east on Highway 14. You can hop on your bicycle and take a lazy ride on the Pine River Recreation Trail. It meanders through bluff scenery and broad valleys and crosses a number of bridges from Richland Center to Lone Rock. The river backwaters are havens for great blue herons, egrets, turtles and other wildlife. We will take Highway 60 West out of GOTHAM. This winding road that follows the Wisconsin River never fails to be a traveler’s delight. For the absolute greatest view of the river, rent a canoe for an advanture you are not likely to forget. At the junction of Highway 60/80, just across the bridge over the Wisconsin River is MUSCODA and Riverside Park, a scenic little park with a playground, shelters and a camping area that overlooks the river. Wisconsin Avenue is Muscoda’s downtown. At the end of Wisconsin Avenue follow Highway 80 to the left, about half a block, to see the outdoor sculptures of Tom Nelson. Stop and look around—he has a very creative yard. Backtrack and go straight through the intersection staying on Catherine Street out of town. It becomes County G. A few miles out, take County Q up the hill, which then winds through a beautiful valley on a very narrow road. A few miles out start watching for the sign for Spurgeon’s Vineyards. Down Pine Road,

off the beaten path, about two miles is the winery. They are open year round, 10-5, tours April through October. The bald eagles come into the valley around October and stay until March, so keep an eye open to the sky. Back up on County Q there’s a race horse ranch and a bison farm before you enter the back side of HIGHLAND. You will go to the stop sign and head down the steep hill, back on Highway 80, which is Highland’s downtown, where you can get something good to eat at any of a number of small restaurants. At the bottom of the hill, Highway 80 makes a sharp turn to the left to head out of town. As soon as you reach the outskirts of Highland keep your eyes to your right. Twenty wind turbines, spanning approximately five miles of farmland, fill the horizon. These are the largest wind turbines manufactured in the U.S., each nearly as tall as a 33-story building. They can supply enough energy to power 10,500 average Wisconsin homes. They don’t look that big from here. Three miles up the road is the entrance to Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area which consists of a 220-acre lake with a 300-foot sand beach, shower house, playground, picnic shelters, canoe, boat, kayak, paddle boat, and pontoon rentals, 135 campsites, cabins, and a boat launch. Back to Highway 80 south and you will come into COBB which hosts the annual Cobb Corn Roast each August with all the sweet corn you could possibly eat, a carnival and parade. Continuing on Highway 80/18, follow the windmills about six miles, you will come across a very unique depot and bowling alley. Take the kids in for a game of bowling. They have bumper rails for the youngsters. The walls are covered with pictures of old railroad cars and they also have information on the Montfort Wind Farm.

MONTFORT is less than one mile down the road. It is home to Rural Route 1 Popcorn and gift shoppe, where you can sample

many of their scrumptious popcorn flavors. Take Highway 80 back in the direction you just came from and turn south to Livingston.

LIVINGSTON is a small town established in 1880 from mining and agriculture. Take one of the streets to your right to Center Street which is the downtown area. They have a few small businesses, and several serve food. Heading out of town on Highway 80 keep your eyes to the right. There aren’t many lighthouses in this area, but this residential house will sure fool you! Coming down off the ridge, you come into the little town of ARTHUR. It may be small but it hosts a very big class act at a comedy club on the weekends. We are staying on Highway 80 and heading toward Platteville, the biggest town on our tour. In PLATTEVILLE, you will hit a four-way stop which is the beginning of Platteville’s downtown main street. Take a stroll in this Historic shopping district and enjoy a very diverse selection of shops. There are restaurants, a photography shop, a bridal

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HEART OF HIDDEN VALLEYS

shop, crafts, tattoos, wines, a coffee shop, and even a bicycle shop. Continue down Highway 80 until you get to the stoplights. Take a right on Highway 151. You will find an abundance of places to eat, sleep and play. From the historical and artistic to the great outdoors, you can find it all right here in Platteville. The Tourist and Area Information, on the left of Highway 151 heading south, is open 9-5 M-F. From there, you can start exploring. See the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine at the Mining Museum or the thousands of farm and home exhibits at the Rollo Jamison Museum. Visit the Stone Cottage built in 1835 by one of the founders of Platteville, or bike the Rountree Branch Trail. University of Wisconsin– Platteville is a liberal arts college with the Wisconsin Room on campus which is open to the public. The Nohr Gallery features art exhibits & collections. Rountree Hall is the site of the first School of Mining built in the U.S. in 1866. UW–Platteville Center for the Arts features international music and theatre performances throughout the year. Katie’s Garden arboretum offers a peaceful setting along the Rountree Branch stream. Climb the World’s Largest “M,” enjoy the Family Aquatic Center with its 150-foot water slide, or stroll through any one of Platteville’s 14 city parks. Take your time and the enjoy the sights in this one area. We will head out of town staying south on Highway 151 to DICKEYVILLE. Go north on Highway 35/61 to Dickeyville’s Grotto, built about 1925. It is a religious and patriotic wonder made of stone, mortar and millions of pieces of colored glass, gems, petrified wood, stalactites, seashells, fossils and all kinds of rock collected from all over the world. The shrines and gardens are open to the public year round, with a gift shop in the back.

Driving Tour

of the Mississippi River. It is home to Nelson Dewey State Park, the Roe Nature Preserve, and the Stonefield Historic Site, featuring the Governor Nelson Dewey home site, the state Agricultural Museum, a 1900 farmstead, and a 1900 village. You can also take Charlie D, Cassville’s car ferry —the fun way across the Mississippi. When you are done discovering all that Cassville has to offer, take Highway 81 North to the very small town of BEETOWN. You will find Grant River Canoe, Kayak, and Tubing Rentals there with scenic rock ledges and high bluffs and a quiet class 1 river ideal for family fun. Continuing on Highway 81 east will take you into LANCASTER “City of the Dome” right up to the square where you will find the Grant County Courthouse. The courthouse’s octagon copper and glass dome sparkles over downtown Lancaster. The turn of the century architecture is prominent in the shops that surround the square and traffic goes only one way. Cunningham Museum is just off the square along with the grave of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. The Grant County Fairgrounds are in Lancaster, where stock cars race around the tracks every weekend during the summer. Continue on Highway 61 to FENNIMORE where the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum has a great collection of dolls, puppets, tractors, circus clowns and more. A few blocks further up Lincoln Avenue is Fennimore Railroad Museum, which resembles a 1900 depot with a replica water tower. It features train memorabilia from Fennimore’s past and the kids will love the miniature train ride. It is open Memorial Day to Labor Day and also serves as one of Fennimore’s tourist centers.

On to POTOSI/TENNYSON. Through Tennyson, take a left north on Highway 133 down the hill. We come to Potosi, having the longest main street in the world without an intersection. Potosi hosts its Catfish Festival each year, the second weekend in August. Just out of town on your left is the road to the Grant River Recreation Area along the Mississippi River. It is open April-October, with campsites, boat dock, fishing, and picnic areas.

Kronsage Park in BOSCOBEL sits on your immediate right. It hosts one of the largest Civil War Reenactments in the Midwest, the first weekend in August. Boscobel’s main street offers the Railroad Depot, a restored depot that also serves as a museum. Follow Wisconsin Aveue to the stop sign and take a left on Prairie Street to Highway 61. Go north and cross the bridge, taking Highway 60 west to the left, which follows the Wisconsin River until you reach Highway 131 North.

Continue on Highway 133 to CASSVILLE. This small community sits on the banks

Highway 131 is a very curvy road, so take your time and enjoy the scenery through

54 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

the woods. Keep your eyes open for the sign for Husher Park Wayside. As you ascend the hill, it comes up pretty suddenly. It’s well worth stopping for the view. There are two lookout stands that allow you a 360º view of the Crawford County countryside. It is absolutely astounding! From the wayside you will come down into the small community of STEUBEN. Stay on Highway 131 north. The river you see that snakes to and from the road is the Kickapoo River. It is one of the crookedest rivers in the world, as you can very well see on this stretch of Highway 131. Coming into GAYS MILLS, at the stop sign, a left will take you downtown, but we are going to take a right up the very steep hill. One-half mile up and you can pull over into the historical marker and wayside. There is an amazing view of Gays Mills worth stopping for. And then the apple orchards begin with all have something to offer—bakeries, gift shops, Amish goods, and a whole lot of apples. The orchards are beautiful in the spring, and the apples are delicious in the fall. No matter what time of year you travel this section of road, it is quite a site for all. At the stop sign at Highway 61/171 head north five miles to SOLDIERS GROVE, America’s first solar village. A short drive farther, continue to READSTOWN, where you can rent canoes, kayaks, get a fishing license and supplies, and enjoy a day on the river. To complete our circle tour, take Highway 14 back to Richland Center, via Boaz, where Boaz Fun Days is celebrated every July at the Community Park. As you once again enter RICHLAND CENTER, you cross over the small bridge. Look to your right to see the Richland Center Footbridge. It was built in 1912, enabling west side residents to walk across the river to attend functions on the east side. It has been rebuilt and is maintained well and lighted at nighttime. To your left is Krouskop Park where Star Spangled Celebration is held the last full weekend each June. If you love country music, you won’t want to miss this three-day event with many top Nashville entertainers. Continue on Highway 14 to your right to the stop lights and you are once again at Richland Center’s Visitor Center. Stay and take full advantage of all Richland Center has to offer—there is something for everyone.

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

Welcome to Grant County

For More Info On Grant County please check the following: Grant County Tourism grantcounty.org/tourism Tourism email contact@grantcounty.org Toll-Free Tourism Phone 1-866-472-6894 Overlook at Nelson Dewey State Park. Photo by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

DOING THE OUTDOOR THING!

Experience Grant County and Southwest Wisconsin for memories that will last a lifetime. Rolling hills, deep valleys, great rivers and pristine streams present a wealth of opportunities for the sportsman and photographer alike. Whether you’re looking to bag that huge tom, hook that elusive trout, take that perfect selfie or just cruise our never-ending rivers or roads, Grant County is an awesome experience . Trophy fish or just supper, cast a line into one of our miles of streams or rivers for a chance at that big one! grantcounty.org/tourism/ outdoor-activities/fishing Hunting more your style? Boscobel holds the title of ‘Turkey Hunting Capital of Wisconsin’ for a reason. The big birds are plentiful but so are the challenges. And what is a Wisconsin fall and winter without deer hunting? Over 6,000 deer tags were filled in 2016 in Grant County alone! Grant County has nine Public Hunting areas. Biking and hiking trails can be found in Platteville, Boscobel, and Lancaster but it’s our lightly traveled paved back roads that offer panoramic views and a challenging walk or ride. If you’re a true road warrior we invite you to bicycle one or all of the 28 loops

Grant County Economic Development grantcounty.org/ economic-development described at Cycle Southwest Wisconsin. cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com If your ‘cycle’ has a motor those same hills and valleys invite you out for a leisurely cruise. Breathtaking vistas and stunning beauty are waiting around the next curve. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Great River Road where miles of highway embrace the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. grantcounty.org/ tourism/outdoor-activities/motorcycleroutes The Cassville Car Ferry which usually runs from the first weekend in May until late October, provides a one-of-a-kind Mississippi River experience. Eagles soar above you, and the view, like the river, is always changing! Got an ATV? Grant County welcomes this growing activity with miles of designated roadways and new routes added every year. Route maps can be obtained in many locations or requested from contact@grantcounty.org. Online version at grantcounty.org/tourism/outdooractivities/atv-trails.

BIRDING

270 species of birds. Yup, you read that right. While on your travels, notice the abundant

Grant County Government co.grant.wi.gov wildlife, waterfowl and many smaller variety of birds that are easily sighted. Eagles and egrets can occasionally be seen in flight throughout the county. Wyalusing State Park is a bird watching favorite with camping and scenic overlooks. Migratory flocks follow the great Mississippi and there’s no better place to experience the thrill and solitude of nature than from the observation deck on Potosi Point. Nature in motion and it’s all just waiting for you.

BEER, WINE & CHEESE

Getting thirsty and hungry? We’re ready for you. After experiencing Potosi Point it’s only right that your next stop should be the Potosi Brewery. The original Potosi Brewing company started in 1852 and produced beer for 120 years. Remodeled and reopened in 2008, it is listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places and operates as a full-fledged brewery and restaurant. With brews like Good Old Potosi, Snake Hollow, Cave Ale, and Fiddler Stout, there is a taste for every beer lover. The Brewery is also home to the National Brewery Museum. The Port of

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GRANT COUNTY Your Hometown Community Bank

608.763.3600 www.bentonbank.com www.bentonbank.com

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism Potosi Annual Breweriana Collectors Show is held in March. Visitors may buy, sell or trade for that one unique collectible! The annual Brew Fest in late August is a great opportunity to sample some of the best beer, wine, cheese and meat from over 35 specialty businesses. potosibrewery.com Who could resist taking part in the Great Wine and Chocolate Trail held in May. Participating local wineries include: Sinnipee Valley Winery (Kieler); Spurgeon Winery (near Muscoda); Whispering Bluffs Winery (Potosi); Whispering Winds Winery (Montfort/ Fennimore); Weggy Winery (Muscoda/ Richland Center). Other Wine Trails occur over the summer, but you needn’t wait! Visit the wineries any day to discover Ruby Lady, Ice Maiden or many other fantastic wines. grantcounty.org/tourism/day-trips

Stay in beautiful Cassville WI and enjoy all that small town living on the river has to offer. Close to supper club, Stonefield, Nelson Dewey State Park and the Mississippi River.

608.725.5300

1115 E. Bluff St • Cassville, WI

When you think of Wisconsin do you think of cheese? We hope so because no one does cheese better than Southwest Wisconsin. Stop in Fennimore at Carr Valley Cheese, have your picture taken next to Igor, the giant mouse, and purchase some of the best cheese you’ve ever tasted. If you’re traveling to Cuba City it’s Gile Cheese for a real Wisconsin treat. Meister Cheese in Muscoda has a variety of cheeses available from aged cheddar to one called Muscoda Mayhem that packs a hot pepper wallop. Several goat cheeses are also made in Grant County. Try creamy goat cheese layered with sweet blueberries and fresh pomegranate. Lancaster’s Saputo Dairy has several superb taste experiences in their assortment of specialty products! Imperia Foods in Montfort specializes in Blue Cheese and Gorgonzola. Try one or try them all!

MOREL MUSHROOMS

For a unique taste treat visit Muscoda in May on the weekend following Mother’s Day

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for their famous Morel Mushroom Festival! Morel mushrooms have a short growing season requiring warm soil and early summer rains. Spend an enjoyable day tasting morels with wine or beer while shopping the arts and crafts. Dates for the Mushroom Fest and other events can be found at grantcounty. org/events.

WATER SPORTS

Coastline in Wisconsin? You bet! Miles of it. The Wisconsin River makes up our scenic northern border before joining the Mississippi at Wyalusing. Together they then flow south toward Dubuque to create our Western coast. But there’s so much more. Grant County is home to literally hundreds of miles of streams and rivers. The fishing is fantastic and that’s just the beginning. It wouldn’t be summer without canoeing, kayaking or tubing. The Wisconsin, Grant, Little Platte and Big Platte offer bends and gentle rapids for a fun family experience. The Lower Wisconsin Riverway provides 92 uninterrupted miles of natural beauty with small islands and sandbars for camping. Watercraft of all kinds share the Mississippi with barge traffic that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota. Whether its waterskiing the main channel or casting a line in a quiet backwater, the Mississippi is a special treat. grantcounty.org/tourism/ outdoor-activities/canoe-and-boat-rental Campgrounds and cabins can be found to accommodate any vacation. Wyalusing and Nelson Dewey State Parks offer great campsites with breathtaking bluff-top views hundreds of feet above the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. Private campgrounds like Jellystone and River of Lakes in Bagley are destinations of choice for that weekend family getaway. Plus there are cabins to rent

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

BOSCOBEL

Located along the scenic Wisconsin Riverway, Boscobel holds the title of “Wild

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To request a Grant County Travel Planner email contact@grantcounty.org or visit grantcounty.org. Your vacation is waiting!

Nestled along the Blake Fork Creek in Bloomington you’ll find Taft’s Mill (1852) Pottery and the Blake’s Prairie Fair. Bloomington is a great place to visit or live, with amenities that include a bakery, supper club, hardware and furniture stores. blakesprairiefair.org, grantcounty.org/ bloomington

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Whether you’re enthusiastic about hunting, fishing, outdoor activities or other types of entertainment, there is always somewhere to go and someplace to be for a great time in Grant County!

BLOOMINGTON

Grant County communities offer a variety of festivals throughout the year. The largest, the Grant County Fair, takes place during the third week in August with truck and tractor pulls, livestock and poultry judging, exhibits and a large carnival. The Demolition Derby is always popular. Of course, there is every kind of “Fair” food that we love but shouldn’t eat!

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The Dickeyville Grotto has attracted thousands of visitors since it was built in the mid 1920’s. Shrines within the Grotto Garden are comprised of stone, mortar and a collection of colored glass, gems, pottery,

Many communities host farmer’s markets from early May until October. Local produce growers, including a large population of Amish, sell their summer crops to anyone that relishes fresh, homegrown vegetables, fruits and flowers. Amish auctions, like the one held on County Road T outside of Fennimore, provide a country flavor with hand stitched quilts, crafted furniture and plentiful produce.

More info at grantcounty.org/bagley.

The Stonefield Historical Site is an openair museum that recreates a turn-of-thecentury farming community. Visitors can view a reenactment of the skills employed in an earlier time. Stonefield hosts the Great River Road Festival in September and other festivals throughout the year. The G.A.R. Hall in Boscobel is the only remaining Civil War Veteran’s Hall in Wisconsin and is now a Civil War museum. When visiting Platteville, be sure to visit the Rollo Jamison Museum or tour the 1845 Bevan’s Mine. Platteville and Boscobel bring history to life when they host historic re-enactments, which are a perfect time to see military demonstrations, listen to storytelling, and enjoy period food.

History is great but antiques can be owned! If you can picture that old oak buffet in your living room or that carnival glass bowl on your mantle, visit Cuba City where there are five antique stores to tempt the connoisseur of things that are old or just interesting. grantcounty.org/tourism/shopping

Grant County is truly the Point of Beginnings for Wisconsin and we appreciate our past. Lancaster’s Cunningham Museum features local collections from the earliest days of the County. One exhibit details Pleasant Ridge, established in the 1860’s as one of the first “Free” black settlements in Wisconsin. The first Civil War monument erected in the country is located on the lawn of the Grant County Courthouse. Wisconsin’s first Governor, Nelson Dewey, made this area his home. Visit his former residence which is right across the road from Stonefield Historical Site near Cassville.

ANTIQUES, FARMER’S MARKETS & FESTIVALS

Dating back to 1884, Bagley is your gateway to the network of backwaters on the Mississippi and nearby Wisconsin Rivers. These quiet bodies of water are ideal for fishing, boating, and recreation. Camping is available nearby at Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground, River of Lakes Resort, and Wyalusing State Park. Food and refreshment can be found downtown. Bagley hosts the “Thunder in the Valley” Rodeo, held on or near July 4th every year.

HISTORY & CULTURE

BAGLEY

pieces of stalagmite, seashells, and even fool’s gold. Dedicated to the love of God and Country, it is a one-of-a-kind marvel! grantcounty.org/tourism/historical-infosites

by the week or weekend to relax in more comfort, and area B&B’s offer a unique experience for the visitor who wants a little more coddling. grantcounty.org/tourism/ lodging

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GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

Turkey Hunting Capital of Wisconsin.” It is also the birthplace of the Gideon Bible, conceived in the heart of downtown at the Boscobel Hotel. This three-story native limestone landmark is now on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Other historically important buildings include the old Rock School, the Boscobel Railroad Depot, and the last remaining active G.A.R. hall in Wisconsin. On the first weekend in August, Boscobel hosts “Reliving Our Heritage,” featuring Civil War re-enactments and highlighting other major wars involving American military.

League or the 4-H club. The 1866 one-room, Blue River Old School Museum is open by appointment or by stopping by the clerk’s office. Blue River’s Autumn Fest, held the last weekend in August, features ball games, tractor pulls, horseshoe pitching and a host of other family friendly events. We’re a little more than an hour’s drive to Dubuque, IA, Madison, WI or La Crosse, WI making us a “small town” with big town amenities a short drive away.

Bicyclists and walkers enjoy the Wisconsin River Trail, which will eventually connect Wauzeka, Boscobel and Woodman for a great walking/riding experience. The Floyd Von Haden Boat Landing provides access to the Wisconsin River’s final stretch for boats, canoes and kayaks. Water recreation is an integral part of the community. Take a scenic drive to Boscobel and start your adventure!

boscobelwisconsin.com, grantcounty.org/ boscobel

BLUE RIVER

Blue River, located along the Wisconsin River on Highway 133, is a quiet place to raise your family and retire. There is a park with three shelters, wonderful playground equipment for the children and a baseball field to enjoy a game by the Riverdale Little

Visit Blue River and find out why it is “the Heart of the Lower Wisconsin!” grantcounty. org/blue-river CASSVILLE

Travel the Great River Road and make this your favorite stop. Nestled between the bluffs and the banks of the Mississippi, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all Cassville has in store. From bald eagle watching in spring to the beautiful fall colors in October we add four seasons of river recreation, hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, and hunting. Enjoy the Mississippi up close on the Cassville Car Ferry from June to October and experience the bluff-top views from Nelson Dewey State Park year-round. An educational must-see is the Stonefield Historic Site, featuring the homesite of Wisconsin’s first Governor, Nelson Dewey, along with the State Agricultural Museum, and a 1900s farmstead and village.

For local camping, lodging, dining and events go to cassville.org or grantcounty. org/cassville.

CUBA CITY

Located on Highway 80, just 15 minutes north of Galena, IL, 20 minutes from Dubuque, IA and an hour from Madison, WI, Cuba City is known as the “City of Presidents.” Street light poles lining downtown display red, white and blue shields created in commemoration of the country’s 200th anniversary with each featuring a U.S. President’s name, silhouette and term in office. On July 4th and other special holidays all 50 state flags are flown as well. Our Veterans Memorial Park, and the Presidential Courtyard, complete with a vintage restored caboose, a railroad workman’s car, a railroad signal and a gazebo add to the experience. There are five antique malls, as well as gift and craft shops to explore. Local beers, wines, specialty sandwiches and pizza are available at pubs and home style cooking at restaurants. Golf at Cole Acres 9-hole public golf course and sample Gile’s award-winning cheese and Weber’s Meat for a special treat. We’re online at cubacity.org or grantcounty. org/cuba-city.

DICKEYVILLE

Dickeyville is home to the famous Grotto, located on the grounds of the Holy Ghost

Whispers & Thyme

107 Hwy 35 Bloomington, WI 53804 608.994.2045 Wedding Decorating & Party Planning

58 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

GRANT COUNTY Church. Built by Father Mathias Wenerus and dedicated in 1930, the Grotto includes several religious and patriotic shrines that are always open to the public. A gift shop provides a complete line of religious gifts and souvenirs. Once you’ve enjoyed the beauty and uniqueness of the Grotto, satisfy your hunger or thirst at one of the restaurants just down the street. Motels are also available if you decide you would like to stay awhile! More info at dickeyville.com or grantcounty.org/ dickeyville.

FENNIMORE

The ridges and valleys surrounding Fennimore are a sportsman’s dream. Gathering springs form trout streams and rivers like the nationally famous Big Green River, the Little Green River, the Blue River, Crooked Creek, and Castle Rock Creek. Fennimore is also home to two charming museums: The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum & Gift Shoppe and the Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum. These cultural attractions offer something for everyone. After shopping, choose from a variety of dining, food, and spirits options. Fennimore’s 45-acre nature park offers a glimpse of native trees and flowers, with a wide variety of birds. Oakwood Park features an 18-hole Disc Golf Course and three miles of walking/ hiking trails supported by a RV park. A new swimming pool is available for those who would rather play in the water. Located at

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

the crossroads of Grant County Hwy’s 61 and 18, Fennimore serves as a great base camp for your explorations of SW Wisconsin. Learn more at fennimore.com or grantcounty.org/ fennimore.

HAZEL GREEN

Established in 1824, Hazel Green is Wisconsin’s “Point of Beginning.” The Historical Marker just outside of town designates the location from which all land in the state of Wisconsin was surveyed. Many of Hazel Green’s historic buildings remain, including the Wisconsin House (1846) and the Opera House/Town Hall (1898). Restaurants, refreshments, and lodging can be found in Hazel Green. For more information about this great community visit villageofhazelgreen.org or grantcounty. org/hazel-green.

LANCASTER

There’s nothing that captures the spirit of rural America like a county fair and ours is held in August. But that’s not all. The County Fairgrounds also hosts a number of community activities, such as the high school Southwest Wisconsin Wine Trail Back Road Beauty and Fine Wines Spurgeon Winery • Highland Whispering Bluffs Winery • Potosi Whispering Winds Winery • Fennimore Weggy Winery • Muscoda/Richland Center Fisher King Winery/Mount Horeb

2018 EVENTS

May 26-27: Great Wine & Chocolate Trail June 23-24: Cheesy Weekend Trail July TBD: Wine Party Trail August 18-19: The Wurst-Wine Trail EVER Visit our website for more details

SpurgeonVineyards.com 608.929.7692

OKEY’S Supermarket

Low Prices Great Selection Cold Beer Wine & Liquor Lottery

Cassville, WI

Catering: Beef, Pork Chicken/Dressing Broasted Chicken Fresh Meat & Produce

Store Hours Monday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fully Furnished Secluded Cabin Rentals 219 S. Main Street, Potosi, WI 53820 (608) 330-2336 • (608) 763-2767

www.pinepointlodgepotosi.com contact@pinepointlodgepotosi.com

725-5178 Fax 725-5153

SPECIAL ORDERS WELCOME

hiddenvalleys.com | 59

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

rodeo, musical performances, arts and craft festivals, and numerous agricultural events. For the latest go to grantcountyfairwi.org.

Places. Lancaster has many beautiful older homes with architectural styles ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright to Queen Anne.

The ‘Crown Jewel of Wisconsin’s Courthouses’ features a rotunda and murals that are striking examples of public architecture. A stroll around the courthouse square provides a glimpse of earlier times and the courthouse grounds display statues and monuments attesting to the rich history of the area.

Check the 2018 June Calendar for our next Blues & Brews Fest. Highway 61 runs through Lancaster and is designated the Blues Highway. What better way to celebrate that than with a festival where locally produced beer and live blues music can be found! Visit lancasterwisconsin.com or grantcounty.org/ lancaster for more information.

An example of prairie-style architecture popular in the early 1900s, the Lancaster City Hall is on the National Register of Historic www.potosiwisconsin.com

Home of the Potosi Brewery & the National American Breweriana Museum Potosi Brewery Production Facility | Passage Thru Time Museum Great River Road Museum of Contemporary Art | Whispering Bluffs Winery Gift Shops, Master Woodworkers Showroom, Great Food, Fishing, Hunting, Camping and Bird Watching! This ad is sponsored by the Potosi-Tennyson Chamber of Commerce

The festival has featured a “pick your favorite tractor show”, kickball games, fireworks, car show, parade, chicken BBQ, and children’s games. Refreshments can be found at Rebel’s Bar and Grill, J’s Bar on Main Street and the Friendly Place Mobile Station/ Convenience store on Highway 80. livingstonvillage.webs.com, grantcounty. org/livingston

MUSCODA

Camping right on the bank of the scenic lower Wisconsin River is just one of the features of Victora Riverside Park. Shelters, picnic pavilions, and a gazebo provide a beautiful setting for family get-togethers or relaxing summer picnics. The campground boasts a splendid river view with a new bathhouse and access for boats, canoes, and kayaks. Electric hook-ups and primitive camping are available. A walking path winds along the river to a prairie restoration and a backwater area where a myriad of birds, flowers, trees, and wildlife can be observed.

LIVINGSTON

Located in a largely agricultural area, our slogan is “With the Good Earth All Around.” Livingston is located a short drive from some of the best trout fishing streams in southwest Wisconsin as well as Blackhawk Lake Park and Governor Dodge State Park. Although it is a small community of just over 600 residents, Livingston is home to four different parks equipped with playgrounds, several large shelter houses with utilities, a veterans’ and local citizens’ memorial, gazebos, and ball diamonds.

A modern swimming pool, tennis courts, outdoor volleyball court, horseshoe pits, ball fields and a new track for exercise are within walking distance. A short walk takes you

The Livingston Festival, held the first weekend after Father’s Day in June, has been an annual tradition for over 45 years.

SINS NAWA M O U N D

C E N T E R

STOP FOR A MINUTE . . . STAY FOR A DAY Come discover beautiful surroundings at Sinsinawa Mound, home to the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters’ retreat center. Annually, over 32,000 guests ﬁnd their way to Sinsinawa and are struck by the beauty of this peaceful, rural setting. Heritage Exhibits Exhibits—self guided, open daily • Telling Our Story—Early Days at Sinsinawa • Tracing a Journey—Following our Founder Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP

Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery— Purchase Gifts with a Conscience • Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.–Sat. (closed Mondays January-March) • Unique clothing & jewelry from around the world and USA-made products • Offering bakery specialties daily, including our famous cinnamon bread SMC-Ad4.842x4.765in.indd 1

60 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

585 County Road Z Sinsinawa, WI 608-748-4411 www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter 8/29/2017 11:14:32 AM

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

Boscobel Depot Heritage Museum. Photo by Nancy Rutherford. to a new library, grocery store, restaurants, and other hospitality venues. Check out the studio gallery of renowned metal sculptor Tom Nelson and then make a visit to Meister Cheese for the fresh cheese curds and to stock up on award winning cheeses. Unique to Muscoda is the Morel Mushroom Festival. Held the first weekend in May after Mothers Day, it’s focused on the delectable morel mushrooms found locally. Visitors may purchase cooked morels to eat or fresh ones to take home. Local wineries and agricultural products are also featured. For festival details and more information visit muscoda.com or grantcounty.org/muscoda.

MONTFORT

The Montfort Wind Farm greeting travelers at the junction of Hwys 18 & 80 provides a captivating look at gigantic, white sculptures, moving rhythmically with the breeze, turning wind power into electrical energy. Montfort has a friendly atmosphere and an interesting variety of businesses, including Rural Route 1 Popcorn and Gift Shop, Imperia Foods Blue Cheese Factory, restaurants, bars and bowling alley. And on a warm summer day a stop at the Grab-A-Cone is a local treat. Outdoor enthusiasts love this area with its trout streams, deer, wild turkey, and other game. Blackhawk Lake and campground is just a 20-minute drive north of town. Montfort “Big Days” is held the first weekend in June. More details on available food and lodging at grantcounty.org/montfort.

PLATTEVILLE

With a population of over 12,000, Platteville is one of the most rapidly growing areas of the region. Events such as UW-Platteville Center of the Arts’ Heartland Festival, Dairy Days, the annual Historic Encampment, and many recreational activities make Platteville a destination for visitors throughout the year. A beautiful family aquatic center, complete with 150-foot waterslide and a first class 18hole golf course, offer a variety of activities for the traveler. Historical attractions in the city include the Mining and Rollo Jamison Museums and the Stone Cottage, a home built in 1837 by Rev. Samuel Mitchell, one of the first settlers in Platteville.

great wines, chocolates, gourmet coffees, and gift items. The National Brewery Museum is located in the restored 1852 Potosi Brewery. Housing a museum, library, microbrewery, restaurant, Great River Interpretive Center, and gift shop, the Brewery is a popular and unique destination. The Potosi Brewing Company brings large capacity brewing back to Potosi with craft beers produced, bottled, canned or kegged in this state-of-the-art facility. Potosi Brewery Brewfest is held the fourth Saturday of August. More at potosibrewery.com.

Platteville is also home to the world’s largest “M” and was the #1 choice for Disney Corporation when it brought its first-ever “Mickey’s Hometown Parade” to Platteville in 1998. You may find more information at platteville.com or grantcounty.org/platteville.

Located along the Mississippi River, the Grant River Recreation Area is a 73-campsite park run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Pine Point Lodging offers rental cabins close to the Mississippi and Potosi Point is where you can enjoy bird watching from a viewing platform in the middle of the Mississippi. Visit Potosi-Tennyson events and festivals at potosiwisconsin.com or grantcounty. org/potosi.

POTOSI - TENNYSON

Located along the Great River Road in southwest Wisconsin, Potosi and Tennyson date back to the 1830-40’s lead mining days. The “Catfish Capital of Wisconsin” awaits you with fishing, bird watching, boating, snowmobiling, camping, hunting, canoeing, tubing, and much more. The Firemen’s Catfish Festival is the second weekend in August. The Great River Road Museum of Contemporary Art displays works by noted artists. Whispering Bluffs Winery, located across the street from the Brewery, offers

SINSINAWA

Sinsinawa Mound has been the home of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters for over 150 years. Founded by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in 1847, the order has served as an educational and cultural landmark. Today, Sinsinawa Mound hosts retreats and meetings for small or large groups, and continues to promote culture and education through its many ministries. Online at sinsinawa.org More Grant County information at grantcounty. org/tourism

hiddenvalleys.com | 61

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

Boscobel Chamber of Commerce 800 Wisconsin Avenue • Boscobel, WI 53805 • 608.375.2672 • visitboscobel.com • chamber@visitboscobel.com Fishing, Hunting, Boating, Hiking Trails, Depot Museum, GAR Historical Hall, Wild Turkey Capital of Wisconsin, Beautiful Parks for Picnics and Family Reunions.

June Boscobel Extravaganza and Antique Tractor Pull July 4th Run/Walk Event, Large Fireworks Display September Fly In Breakfast, ICC Chicken BBQ

GUNDERSEN

BOSCOBEL AREA HOSPITAL AND CLINICS

Intro to Archery

Free classes include supplies, bows by NASP. Refreshments!

Call Ahead Orders Welcome • Gas • Diesel • Car Wash

Where Caring Meets Excellence

Gundersen Boscobel Hospital (608) 375-4112

Boscobel Clinic

Winter League

208 Parker St. • Boscobel (608) 375-4144

1521 Elm Street • Boscobel

220 Lincoln Ave. • Fennimore (608) 822-3737

info@wildsidesportinggoods.com www.wildsidesportinggoods.com

525 N. Wisconsin Ave. • Muscoda (608) 739-3138

Friday Nights January through March

608-375-0501

Ford

401 South Main St Highland

(608) 929-4513

Ford & Chrysler 2410 Hwy. 14 East Richland Center

(608) 647-5400

Fennimore Clinic Muscoda Clinic

Boscobel Bowl & Banquet Full Menu & Salad Bar Banquet & Bowling 16971 Hwy 61 S. Boscobel, WI 53805

GM & Chrysler 1702 Elm St Boscobel

(608) 375-4664

62 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

608.375.2200

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

24 Flavors

of Hand-Dipped Ice Cream & many local food products 1007 Elm Street • Boscobel

608-375-9000

Hours: M-F 10 -7 • Sat/Sun 10-6

1518 Elm St. Boscobel, WI

608-391-3120

hiddenvalleys.com | 63

GRANT COUNTY

Southwest Gateway to Hidden Valleys | grantcounty.org/tourism

Fennimore Chamber & Economic Development 800-822-1131 • FENNIMORE.COM

Variety of Dining and Lodging options | Home to Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum | 45-acre Oakwood Nature Park & Disc Golf Course World Class Trout Streams | Turkey & Deer Hunting | Home of Southwest WI Technical College Fennimore serves as a great base camp for your explorations of SW Wisconsin. Known as the Crossroads of SW Wisconsin with major Highway 18 & 61 gives travelers easy access to nearby communities and attractions. Fennimore boosts more than 100 miles of world-class trout streams within a 10 mile radius of the community. Fennimore is home to the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum and Fennimore Historical Railroad Society

both are open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. A variety of dining and lodging options are offered. The Dinky bike trail begins at the Railroad Museum and travels the roadway near the historic narrow gauge rail line to Woodman, Wisconsin. Fennimore is home to Southwest Tech College which offers state of the art classes on a full-time, part-time or online basis www.swtc.edu Fennimore Community Schools is an outstanding K-12 School

Fabric • Notions • Yarn • Janome Over 5,000 bolts of quality quilting cotton fabric 4420 US Hwy 18 E., Fennimore, WI 53809 | 608.822.6822

System, offering quality education and diverse opportunities to students and is the school of choice for many in the region. The Fennimore countryside is surrounded by hills and valleys in what is often referred to as the Driftless Area. These wooded ridges and farmland valleys delight outdoor sports enthusiasts. We invite you to visit us for a day or stay a lifetime.

April - October 10 am - 5 pm Wednesday - Sunday November - March 10 am - 5 pm Friday - Sunday 13541 Blue School Road, Fennimore

whisperingwindswinery.com 608-943-9941 Jim Eisele

64 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

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For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit www.grantcounty.org/tourism For Information on Grant County ATV Trails please visit: www.grantcounty.org/tourism/outdoor-activities/atv-trails

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hiddenvalleys.com | 65 Community

LAKES, TRAILS AND STREAMS Lakes, Trails and Streams Driving Tour Driving Tour

Photo Credit: Gail Boehm From spectacular sunrises over Castle Rock Lake to calm canoeing on the crooked river of The Kickapoo, we invite you to enjoy serene summers, vibrant fall colors, and the winter playground of the lakes, trails, and streams region of Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin. Activities for the entire family include swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing, picnicking, hunting, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling for all to enjoy! We begin the adventure at the Lyndon Station exit of I-90/94 in Juneau County, which was once an Irish settlement. Hwy HH north is the route to pursue, which encompasses the juncture of Lemonweir River and Wisconsin River. There are several locations to plunge right into fun. Turning left onto Hwy 82, we now head west toward Mauston. Along this major route, no matter what season it may be, there is horseback riding or sleigh rides along the Lemonweir River at Red Ridge Ranch and breakfast on the trail at Woodside Ranch. Refueling your body and your car, continue on 82 west and turn right at the corner of The Bank of Mauston, just one block before the intersection of Hwy 82 & 58. Several blocks down, is a four way stop sign, turn right. This leaves Mauston on Hwy G, which has several sharp curvy turns with plenty of scenic countryside between them. At the next four way stop sign, Hwy G continues to the right followed by another

sharp curve. The intersection after that has Hwy HH and Hwy G coming together at Castle Rock Hideaway. Going straight leads you to fourth largest inland lake in Wisconsin of Castle Rock Lake. Castle Rock Park hosts fireworks, food, and family fun as it celebrates Waterfest the 1st Saturday in August.

for early spring and late fall. Continuing on Hwy 80 north to the Sprague, Finley, Mather area, turn left at the Wilderness Inn Bar & Grill to go thru part of the Sprague Mather Flowage in the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge has various educational events including the National Crane Count all year long.

After enjoying the park, turn right onto Hwy G heading west. There are campgrounds, boat landings & restaurants along the lake. Turn right onto 17th street and continue on as the road curves to the left and becomes 37th street, which will take you to Hwy 58. At Hwy 58 turn right to head north and then right again at the next junction, Hwy G, to Buckhorn State Park. Crossing the Buckhorn Bridge provides safe passage toward the state park. Stay and enjoy the park area awhile before turning right out of Buckhorn. Then follow Hwy G winding its way several miles towards Hwy 21 in Necedah. If turning left on Hwy 21, go approximately 4 miles to the entrance of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. This is the home of the Whooping Cranes, Karner Blue Butterfly, Blanding turtles, and Trumpeter swans. If at Hwy 21 you turn right, you will cross over the Wisconsin River to go to the wayside for picnicking, boat launching, fishing, or just a rest stop.

When you get to Hwy H, turn left to get to the Eagles Nest Flowage for more water sports and fun. Hwy H south is a countryside drive into Camp Douglas, the start of the Omaha Bike Trail. Leave Camp Douglas headed west on Hwy 12 & 16 to Mill Bluff State Park. The village of Oakdale is next with the Antique Mall. Continuing on brings you into Tomah. Cross over Superior Avenue following Hwy 16 towards Tomah Recreation Park. Make a right turn onto Butts Avenue to get to Winnebago Park. The City of Tomah’s Recreation Trail winds through Winnebago Park, Veteran’s Park, and Butts Park. For more information, contact the Tomah Area Chamber at 800.948.6624.

Petenwell Rock can be seen looking across the river. Leaving the wayside, cross over the Wisconsin River again and take the first right turn (19th street), then right again on 18th. This takes you to Petenwell Dam on Petenwell Lake. Power dams on the Wisconsin River created both Castle Rock and Petenwell Lakes, the second largest inland lake in Wisconsin. Retrace the drive back to Hwy 21, turning right. Follow Hwy 21 west to Hwy G north. This time your destination is Wilderness County Park on Petenwell Lake for more camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. Upon leaving the park, take Hwy G (left) back to Hwy 21 west (right) to go into Necedah. Before heading north on Hwy 80, turn left for Hwy 80 South and take time to explore the 1865 house that was almost demolished 15 years ago but now hosts The Red Hen Antiques. It is filled with many interesting old fashion items including a picture of one of the original owners of the house. Tea and coffee weekends are scheduled

66 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Backtrack on Butts Avenue to Hwy 16 to continue this adventure headed west toward Sparta. In Sparta, walking or bicycling the 32-mile Elroy-Sparta National Bike Trail is a great adventure for the entire family to enjoy the scenery along the La Crosse River or Beaver Creek. Leaving Sparta via its downtown may bring shopping adventures to a new level with the unique stores and historical buildings. Definitely a must see before traveling on

Photo Credit: Gail Boehm

LAKES, TRAILS AND STREAMS

Driving Tour

Hwy 27 south to Cashton, “the heart of Amish Country.” Cashton has panoramic views of the hills and valleys throughout the Amish community. Staying on Hwy 27, continue into Westby where there is “always a big Velkommen waiting for you!” Westby celebrates its Scandinavian heritage in all seasons with annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournaments and Syttende Mai Festival in spring. Westby has over 200 miles of trout steams as well as paved biking roads, handcrafted Amish furniture, and studios run by local artists. Hwy 27 then takes you into Viroqua, “the heart of Vernon County.” Viroqua’s Wild West Days of rodeos, civil war encampments, and a cattle drive enhance the variety of commerce in Viroqua’s historic downtown. Viroqua is definitely worth more than a day to drive through. When you are ready to move on, take Hwy 82 east headed for La Farge which lies along the Kickapoo River adjacent to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Hwy F runs through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and gets you into Wildcat State Park. Hwy 33 west then takes you from Wildcat State Park to canoeing, tubing or kayaking on the Kickapoo River north of La Farge in Ontario. From Ontario, travel north on Hwy 131 into Wilton for more biking adventures or even to stop at Dorset Valley School Restaurant and Bakery further down the road before heading east to Kendall on Hwy 71. Kendall is the headquarters for the Elroy Sparta Trail. Leaving Kendall, take a leisurely back road route of Hwy W to Hwy WW to get into Hillsboro. Hillsboro is the “Czech Capital of Wisconsin” and is the trailhead for new rails to trails bikeway. The seven mile route follows the West Branch of the Baraboo River and crosses several times on wooden bridges to link up with the 400 State Bicycle Trail in Union Center. Hwy 82 east (running with Hwy 80) exits Hillsboro and brings the journey into Union Center. Go straight on Hwy 33 east going into Wonewoc. The 400 State Bicycling Trail runs through Wonewoc where specialty shops, a bakery, and Beyond Boundaries canoe/kayak/bike rentals are located in the historic old Taig’s Feed Mill. Wonewoc is the midpoint on the 400 State Bike Trail. Fine dining can be experienced just east of Wonewoc on Hwy 33 at Club Chaparral and shopping in historic Wonewoc.

Return on 33 west to Union Center and take a right onto Hwy 82/80. Union Center is located on the 400 State Bike. Continue on 82/80 to the right, heading for Elroy—home of former governor Tommy Thompson. Elroy is the hub for bicycling, as it lies where 3 bicycle trails come together; Omaha Trail between Elroy and Camp Douglas, the 400 State Trail connecting Elroy with Reedsburg, and the Elroy-Sparta Trail. Leaving Elroy, Fertile Grounds Cave provides tasty food to take you on Hwy 80 north out of Elroy onto Junction H. This scenic and leisurely route brings you into “the one and only” Hustler. Hustler not only hosts a section of the Omaha Trail but also, Hustlerfest held the last weekend in August. There is lots of food, including Friday night fish frys at the Hooterbowl, Tuesday steak & shrimp at Hustle Inn. Now on Hwy A, head east toward New Lisbon for more festival fun. Dine at The Opera House, (great homemade pizza). Walk along the Lemonweir River (river of memories) at Riverside Park. Wa Da Shu Da Days is held at the park the beginning of July. Camping is available at Riverside Park as well as Kennedy Park on Hwy M. Also on Hwy M is the seven miles of Oak Ridge Trail, great for cross country skiing. Historic Indian relics can be viewed in Raabes Pharmacy or New Lisbon’s Public Library. Effigy mounds are located east of New Lisbon on Hwy 12 & 16. A mile further east brings you to the Burr Oak Winery

which hosts a spring festival at the winery the last weekend in April and a fall harvest the weekend after Labor Day. Continuing past the winery is the New Lisbon-Mauston airport where Juneau County EAA offers a Pancake Breakfast Fly-in every Labor Day Saturday. After a few miles, stop in Mauston to take a walk by the river flowing behind the beautiful Hatch Library. Enjoy delicious lunch specials Beyond the Daily Grind. On summer Saturdays you’ll find the Farmers Market. Continuing east on Hwy 12/16, Carr Valley Cheese also offers tasty treats as you head back into Lyndon Station. Whether for camping, biking, train rides, or paintball, this route also takes you to the borderline of the Dells with Rocky Arbor State Park. Just before the park, turn left to get to The Riverside and Great Northern Railway where 15” gauge steam locomotives take you through picturesque woods. Hikers, cyclists, trail riders, naturalists, birders, bikers, boaters, swimmers, waterskiers, canoeists, hunters, anglers, crosscountry skiers, and snowmobilers can all enjoy two of Wisconsin’s largest inland lakes; as well as the numerous trails, the abundant wildlife, the thousands of acres of parks, and the lakes, trails, and streams of southwestern Wisconsin’s Hidden Valleys.

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MONROE COUNTY

gomonroecounty.com

Welcome to Monroe County Don’t Miss... • Cranberry Country • Elroy-Sparta & La Crosse River State Trails • Monroe County Museum •W isconsin Cranberry Discovery Center • Wegner Grotto • The Amish • Fort McCoy • World’s Largest Bicycle • Tomah Historical Museum • Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bike Museum • Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum

Corralling cranberries in Warrens, WI

Monroe County offers visitors a variety of contrasts in each of the four seasons. Historic bike trails with cavernous tunnels, an Amish community, thousands of acres of cranberries, Fort McCoy, numerous museums, and great hunting and fishing opportunities lure visitors from across the nation to Monroe County. Visit the Monroe County Museum and the Tomah Historical Museum to check out our rich history. We boast seven museums where you can explore dolls, railroads, cranberries, Fort McCoy, Astronaut Deke Slayton, space, bicycles, and so much more. The people in our communities work hard for a living and enjoy the quality of life that our area provides for a good family “country style” of life. It’s not only the beauty of our land, but the people that make the place.

KENDALL

Nestled in the rolling hills is the community of Kendall, incorporated as a village in 1894, growing from a railroad community to a farming community.   The former Chicago and North Western railroad bed is now the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, serving thousands of hikers, bikers, and snowmobilers throughout the year.  Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic Baraboo River, which flows through the village park. Trail headquarters is the restored Kendall Depot, which offers specific information about the trail, bike rental, and shuttle service.  The Kendall area has an active arts community. The Colors of Kendall, held

68 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

the second Saturday in October, features the Autumn Ridge Art Tour and local producers. The towns along the trail welcome bicyclists with open arms.  They offer food, refreshments, and plenty of places to stop and rest.

WILTON Wilton is a small, picturesque farming community located at the headwaters of the Kickapoo River and at the middle of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail.  Gentle rolling hills lend the area a charm all its own. Wilton Wood Turtle Days is a celebration held annually on the first weekend in August.  It features a 5K run, fantastic fireworks show, softball tournament, volleyball tournament, arts and crafts display, parade, water fights, and fun for the whole family. The Wilton Lions Club members serve up a tasty pancake breakfast each Sunday morning in the summertime in the Wilton Village Park Campground, located only five blocks from the bike trail.  Tunnel Trail Campground lies next to the bike path and offers visitors a swimming pool, bike rentals, mini golf, and a repair shop. Wilton offers visitors several restaurants, a small hotel, and several bed and breakfast establishments.

MONROE COUNTY n

NORWALK The community of Norwalk welcomes visitors with open arms.  The community has several restaurants and the ElroySparta Bike Trail winds through a beautiful community park, which offers relaxation and camping. Norwalk hosts a National Tractor Pull Association Region 3 pull the second full weekend in August. A local truck and tractor pull is held on Sunday. Come and enjoy the Friday fish fry, Saturday steak fry, and Sunday charcoal chicken.

FORT MCCOY Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation, which was established in 1909, is named after Major General Robert Bruce McCoy. The son of a Civil War captain, McCoy was a prominent local resident who served as a lawyer, district attorney, county judge, and mayor of neighboring Sparta, while also serving 31 years in the Wisconsin National Guard. The installation offers year-round recreational opportunities at Pine View Campground

gomonroecounty.com

and Whitetail Ridge Ski Area. Both areas are open to the public. Pine View features picnic and playground areas (one handicapped accessible), a campground with a camp store, lodging units, a recreational-equipment checkout center, miniature golf, hiking trails, and a beach. Winter enthusiasts can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding at Whitetail Ridge. The Whitetail Ridge Chalet provides an indoor respite. In addition to providing a break from the cold, the family area of the facility serves a variety of food and beverages and has large windows allowing views of the activities outdoors. Tactics Paintball and Laser Tag are also located at Whitetail Ridge. Hunting and fishing opportunities are offered to military (active and retired) and their dependents, government employees, and the general public. Appropriate Fort McCoy permits and State of Wisconsin licenses are required. More information can be found on the Fort McCoy public website: mccoy.army.mil/Visitors/FishHuntInfo.asp. Tours of Fort McCoy’s award-winning Commemorative Area are available to the

June 7-10, 2018

Arts & Crafts Carnival • Parade Sunday Live Stage Entertainment

Celebrating 34 Years of Family Fun!

SPARTA  WISCONSIN

800-354-2453

www.spartabutterfest.com

Wilton & Kendall – All along the Elroy-Sparta Trail Dorset Valley School

Restaurant & Bakery • (608) 435-6876 Delicious Home Cooking • Freshly Baked Daily Mon.-Thurs. Amish Furniture 8 am-8 pm & Original Local Crafts Fri.-Sat.

Bed Frames, Hutches, Tables, Chests Bedroom Pieces, Custom Orders Available

8 am-9 pm Sun. 8 am-2 pm

Now offering Gourmet Coffees & Smoothies! 608-387-4878

The Wilton Village Campground Just 5 blocks from the trail.

Located on the banks of the Kickapoo River. Swimming Pool, Bathhouse, Electric/Water/Dump Station

For camping information 608-435-6666 No Reservations Taken www.villageofwiltoncampground.com email us at villageofwilton@centurytel.net

Village of Kendall Elroy-Sparta State Trail Headquarters of the

Trail-Side B&B

Glenwood Park in downtown Kendall features a bathhouse with showers and restrooms, volleyball courts, baseball diamond, basketball court, and playground. Fish the Baraboo River. Wilderness camping available. kendallville@centurytel.net

608-435-6525

26147 State Highway 71, Wilton 888-435-6525 • www.trailsidebnb.com

HARDWARE HANK

Wilton-Kendall

608-463-7124 • www.kendallwi.com

If I don’t have it, you don’t need it! Anything and Everything. Bike trail passes and sporting good of all kinds. 608-435-6616 • Fax 608-435-6676

Wilton

ping Cambins Ca

Hea 2 new ted P ools

Your Hosts are Scott & Julie Grenon

www.tunneltrail.com

26983 State Hwy. 71 Wilton

(608) 435-6829 On the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail

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MONROE COUNTY

gomonroecounty.com and many special activities are scheduled. Visit mccoy.army.mil to learn more about Fort McCoy and its rich history.

OAKDALE Tall bluffs rise abruptly from the flat plains surrounding Oakdale, gateway to Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Mill Bluff State Park offers opportunities to picnic, swim, and camp. Oakdale has a new pedestrian path from County PP (by Granger’s Campground) that goes to County NN (by the elementary school). It is open year-round.

n public, free of charge. The Commemorative Area consists of the History Center, five World War II-era buildings (open seasonally April through October), the Equipment Park, and Veterans Plaza. Tours of the area can be arranged for groups of 15 or more Monday through Friday by appointment. To schedule a tour, contact the Public Affairs Office at 608.388.2407 or send an email to usarmy.mccoy.imcom-central.list .pao-admin@mail.mil.

Guided, narrated bus tours of the installation are also available for groups that arrive by bus. These tours can be paired with a Commemorative Area visit for a complete experience. A self-guided driving tour is also available daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for individuals or smaller groups. A self-guided driving tour brochure can be picked up at the Main Gate or by contacting the Public Affairs Office. Each year, Fort McCoy typically hosts its Open House the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day. This is an excellent time to visit—no appointment required! All Commemorative Area buildings are open

Leon Valley Campground, LLC Enjoy a peaceful, quiet vacation nestled in the hills of Hidden Valley Country.

Sparta exit 25 I-90. Take Hwy. 27 S. 31/2 miles to Leon. In Leon, E. on Jancing Ave., 1 mile on left. • Near 2 state bike trails, canoeing, fishing • Spotless showers & bathrooms • Heated pool • Playground & game room • Campstore, snackbar, pavilion • Cabin rental • Spacious seasonal wooded sites for Campers • 20-30-50 amp. electric hookup • Planned weekend activities

9050 Jancing Ave., Sparta, WI 54656

www.leonvalleycampground.com leonvalley@centurytel.net

(608) 269-6400

70 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

CATARACT Nestled in the countryside just outside of Cataract is the Wegner Grotto.  Paul and Matilda Wegner developed this grassroots art environment of glass and pottery shards in concrete in the late 1920s to early 1930s. A chapel, known locally as the glass church, animals, a peace star, peace garden, and replicas of their 50th anniversary cake, and of the Bremen, the ship they came to America on, are part of the many structures you’ll see. The Little Falls Railroad and Doll Museum is located just two miles east of Cataract on Hwy II.  Hundreds of dolls from the 1800s to the present-day Barbies are displayed throughout the museum.  The railroad museum features three operating layouts, including a garden railroad, and for children there is an outdoor train ride.  A large library of photos, books, videos, and railroad art retell the story of railroad history.  The Cataract Sportsman’s Club holds its annual field days the weekend after Labor Day.  The event features many activities for the entire family: clay shooting, archery and shooting sports contests, softball tournament, games, music, and great food.

CASHTON The Village of Cashton is set atop some of the most scenic hills in southwestern Wisconsin, and the surrounding townships are home to the largest Amish community in Wisconsin. Cashton marked the spot of an old Native American trail that led westward to the Mississippi River, serving as a trading post and rest stop for stagecoaches heading north to Sparta and other cities. Almost entirely surrounded by the beautiful coulees of the Driftless

MONROE COUNTY region, Cashton is located just off of I-90 and within 30 minutes of Sparta, Viroqua, and LaCrosse. Highways 27 and 33 provide easy access to the Cashton area. Enjoy the peace and quiet of small-town America in Cashton. Front Street and Main Street take you on a ride through historic downtown Cashton. Cashton has a beautiful park, award-winning schools, healthcare access, and affordable opportunities for highquality housing plus the safety and sense of community of a small village. Be careful of slow-moving horse-drawn wagons as you drive through Amish country along Highway 33. The Amish post signs advertising their wares: quilts, furniture, rugs, and baked items. The Amish do not sell on Sundays. A cheese factory, Amish tour service, several restaurants, organic farms, and many local artists’ wares can be found throughout the region. Saint Mary’s Church, located at the highest point of St. Mary’s Ridge just northeast of Cashton, was built more than 100 years ago. Follow Highway 33 east from Cashton to the Village of Ontario, Kickapoo River, and Wildcat Mountain State Park situated in the unglaciated area of Wisconsin known as Coulee Country. High bluffs and long, narrow valleys make this a spectacular scenic area.

Sparta is host to the northern end of the famous 32-mile Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail and the eastern end of the 21.5-mile La Crosse River State Bike Trail. Each of these trails hooks up with additional state bike trails, offering the bicycle enthusiast more than 100 miles of biking pleasure. The Elroy-Sparta Trail boasts three cavernous tunnels and more than 30 trestles for the bike enthusiast to enjoy. Area businesses offer bike rentals, shuttle services to all trails, and sales and repair. A bridge erected in 2002 gives bicyclists, pedestrians, and snowmobilers a safe and scenic connection between the Elroy-Sparta and La Crosse River Trails. Sparta is the county seat and home to the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum. The museum features  permanent and changing exhibits that educate the public on the history and evolution of bicycling; explores Monroe County’s rich aviation history; and examines the life and career of Monroe County’s Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton, one of America’s first astronauts. In June, Sparta celebrates “Butterfest,” a three-day event dedicated to the rich dairy

Engage History, Science & Art at Sparta’s Museums

Monroe County Museum www.monroecountyhistory.org

FAMILY FUN  FREE ADMISSION 200 West Main Street, Sparta, WI Open Daily, Monday-Saturday Call 608-269-8680 for more info

Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum • The Life of Astronaut Deke Slayton • The Bicycle Evolution • Wisconsin’s Only Moonrock • Children's Area with Loft Call for Group Tours & Educational Programming 200 West Main Street, Sparta, WI

Call (608) 269-0033 www.dekeslaytonmuseum.org • Wi-Fi • Best location in town! • Walking distance from dining, conveniences & the bike trail • Highest quality rooms for best value

LEON Leon is a small community located three miles south of Sparta along Highway 27. In 2002 USA Today published an article stating Leon had an “alligator problem.” It was not true, but the fun loving residents of Leon decided to celebrate with a fun festival called “Gatorfest,” held the third weekend in August. It includes a laundry basket softball tournament and a standstill parade (where the people walk by the entries that are standing still). Leon boasts a beautiful community center which is available for rent all year long, a nearby campground, a tavern, and several businesses. n SPARTA Sparta was well known for the healing powers of its magnetic mineral waters. Sparta, the “bicycling capital of America,” is home to the world’s largest bicycle, a 30-foot-tall high wheeler bike with Ben Bikin’ riding on the structure, erected in 1997.  The world’s largest bicycle was built by the FAST Corporation in Sparta.

gomonroecounty.com

303 West Wisconsin Street, Sparta 608-269-3066 • Res 800-201-0234 bestnightsinnmotel@gmail.com

DEKE SLAYTON ADMISSION: adults $5, children $3 THIS AD GOOD FOR ONE FREE PASS for one adult and one child. Open Year Round

Sparta’s New & Used Shop 30 Vendors • OPEN 7 Days a Week • 608-269-5555

Huge Store — +13,000 Sq. Ft.

Furniture • Antiques • Collectibles • Military • Tools ACROSS FROM SPARTA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

I-90 Exit 25

Best Western PLUS Sparta Trail Lodge

Wegner Grotto County Park www.mclhr.org/wegnergrotto.php

4445 Theatre Road, Sparta, WI 54656

608-269-2664 • 800-780-7234 www.bestwestern.com • • • • •

Business Center Free High Speed Internet Three indoor pools Continental Breakfast Brewski’s Pub & Grill

An Outdoor, Folk Art Sculpture Garden Located 3 miles SW of Cataract, WI North of Sparta off Hwy 27, West on Hwy 71 FREE Admission—Tours Welcome

Call 608-269-8680 for more info

hiddenvalleys.com | 71

MONROE COUNTY industry in the area. The Butterfest agenda includes a carnival, flea market, golf and softball tournaments, a milking contest, quilt show, poker run, lots of live family entertainment, food, music, and a huge parade on Sunday. The Monroe County Local History Room Museum and Library includes a research room which houses the county newspapers up to 1990, all state and federal census information, as well as a cemetery card file on county gravestones. Photographs, maps, and many published books on Monroe County are available for research. The History Room is also Monroe County’s History Museum. Exhibits include pioneer history through modern times, illustrating farming, industry, and life in a typical home in past years. For more information visit bikesparta.com

TOMAH

Tomah is truly Wisconsin’s “Cranberry Country” and the crossroads for westcentral Wisconsin. Our location, where the state’s interstate system (I-90/94) divides,

THE ROAD NEVER ENDS

BUT THE DAY DOES.

FREE WI-FI. FREE HOT BREAKFAST. INDOOR POOL.

SUPER 8 SPARTA 716 Avon Road Sparta, WI 54656 608.269.8489 super8.com

gomonroecounty.com

1126 John St. Sparta

608-269-2315

Speed’s Bicycle Shop

June 21-24, 2018

Rentals • Shuttles Special Group Rates

Repairs • Accessories Parts www.speedsbike.com emailspeeds@centurytel.net

makes us the perfect destination. Whether it’s a family vacation, reunion, business meeting, or if you just need to get away, Tomah’s your place. There’s something for every season: biking, hiking, fishing, boating, camping, golfing, snowmobiling, skiing, or shopping for unique Amish and cranberry items and antiques. The City of Tomah has 10 lodging properties offering over 635 rooms. Our lodging properties offer hot tub suites, indoor swimming pools, and an indoor aquatic center—all conveniently located by more than 20 area dining establishments. Enjoy meals from a simple cup of soup to steaks and seafood. Enjoy ethnic foods, such as Chinese or Mexican, meals with a European flair, or a great pizza. Numerous fast food options are available if you’re on the go. Or savor a meal created with locally grown cranberries. Looking to get back to nature? The Tomah area offers eight campgrounds. Whether you enjoy staying in an RV or prefer your tent, our area campgrounds offer all the amenities you need for a great camping trip. Looking to do a little hiking or bird watching during your trip? The Tomah Recreational Trail is located throughout Tomah, passing through many beautiful parks. It begins at Winnebago Park on Lake Tomah, winding north around the lake to the Lemonweir River. Follow the river northeast to Memorial Park, just off Superior Avenue. Once you hit North Glendale Avenue you head south along the east side of Tomah. The four-mile trail ends at Buckley Park, home to the Tomah Aquatic Center. The trail can be used for walking, biking, blading, or anything else. Be sure to visit Mill Bluff State Park, just to the east of Tomah; Wildcat Mountain State Park, located to the southwest of Tomah; or

72 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

July 25-29, 2018

the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, also located east of the Tomah area. Learn more about the Amish families who reside in our county or how cranberries grow by taking a self-guided driving tour. The Amish Country Tour will take you past several Amish family farms. Watch for little signs at the end of their driveways offering goods for sale, such as quilts or rocking chairs. The Cranberry Country Tour will take you past several area cranberry marshes. Harvest season is normally the first three weeks in October. Both tours are a great way to see our fall foliage colors too! Tomah offers great events, such as the

1405 Superior Ave., Tomah 608-374-2777

Country & Primitive Home Decor

With the picket fence and the outhouse in the yard Like Us

HOURS: Tues.-Sat. 10-5

MONROE COUNTY

gomonroecounty.com

hiddenvalleys.com | 73

MONROE COUNTY Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck & Tractor Pull, held annually in June and the Monroe County Fair held in July. For more information on the Tomah area or community events call the Tomah Visitors Bureau at 800.948.6624 or visit tomahwisconsin.com.

WARRENS

Warrens, located in the northeast corner of Monroe County, has the largest concentration of cranberry marshes in the area.  More than 3,700 acres of bright red berries are harvested every year.  Manufacturing companies in the area make the equipment for the cranberry industry.  Sphagnum moss is the area’s other atypical export.  The moss is commonly used for keeping plants and nursery stock alive.  Wisconsin is the only state that produces sphagnum moss commercially.

gomonroecounty.com

McMullen County Park has wonderful camping opportunities. The 71-site park, located on 600 forested acres, offers secluded campsites, electrical and water hookups, restrooms, and showers. A 50acre fishing lake is part of the park. A threequarter-mile hiking trail goes around the bluff and wetlands area. Turkeys, hawks, Canada geese, osprey, and deer can be found in the park habitat. The Warrens Cranberry Festival is held in late September each year and brings more than 100,000 visitors to the area. Highlights of the event include more than 1300 booths, featuring arts and crafts, a farmers market, antiques/flea market, and plenty of good food and cranberry products.   Cranberry marsh tours, recipe contests, music, and plenty of great food bring people back year after year for a great festival experience.

Cranberry Marsh

 Cranberry Harvest Bus Group Tours  Fresh Cranberries Available  Shipping of Cranberries in Season  Public Cranberry Harvest Day

the first Saturday in October, 9 am-11 am

Located Just 6 Miles From I-94, Exit 135

608-378-4813

E-mail wetherby@centurytel.net www.freshcranberries.com

46th Annual Warrens Cranberry Festival September 28-30, 2018 Parade at 2pm on Sunday Marsh Tours Friday & Saturday 8-3

cranfest@cranfest.com 350 Antique/Flea Market Booths 800 Art/Craft Booths www.cranfest.com

608-378-4200

90 Food Booths 100 Farm Market Booths

Open 7 Days a Week 364 Days a Year

Wetherby Cranberry Marsh in Warrens offers cranberry marsh tours for individuals, and small and large groups. The first Saturday in October they host harvest tours in the morning. Fresh cranberries are available for sale at Wetherby’s, one of the only independent growers in the area. Ride the historic bike trails, step back in time with the Amish, tour Fort McCoy, visit our museums, and browse our unique specialty shops.  Come hunt, fish, bike, hike, ski, and snowmobile with us. Monroe County attractions welcome group motor coach tours.  For assistance in setting up tours and itineraries, call the Sparta Chamber at 800.354.2453 or Tomah Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800.948.6624.

Wetherby

Always

The Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center is dedicated to the Wisconsin cranberry industry, providing a historic and contemporary look at all aspects of the industry.  Browse the unique gift shop, which features cranberry products and cranberry glassware. The bakery and ice cream parlor atmosphere offer plenty of opportunities to try some delicious cranberry products.

Cranberry Blossom

◆ 100 Varieties of Cheese ◆ Wisconsin Sausage & Brats ◆ Wisconsin Jams, Honey, Maple Syrup ◆ 16 Flavors of Ice Cream ◆ Homemade Fudge & Candies ◆ Unique Gifts ◆ Cranberry Products We Ship Anywhere in the Continental USA October 1 thru April 1

I-94 & Hwy. 21, Exit 143 ◆ Tomah ◆ 608-372-6069 ◆ 888-684-5353 ◆ humbirdcheese.com

74 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

MONROE COUNTY

gomonroecounty.com

Like SHOP TOMAH on FACEBOOK for UPDATES & SPECIALS

JUST BUY IT.

Before It’s Gone...

Junction 1-94 & Hwy 12 East, Exit #143, 1510 Eaton Ave - Tomah Toll Free 888.757.0044 www.cranberrycountrymall.com

Cranberry Country Mall, Art Gallery & Tomah Antique Mall

Computers, Electronics, Gifts & More! Same Day Service • Free Diagnostics Buy • Sell • Trade • Upgrade • Repair

608.372.4225 funkymonkeytomah.com 1109 Superior Ave., Tomah, WI 54660

100 Varieties of Cheese • Wisconsin Sausage & Brats • Homemade Fudge • Ice Cream

Humbird Cheese I-94 & Hwy. 21, Exit 143 Tomah, Wisconsin 888-684-5353 www.humbirdcheese.com

Visit one of the Country’s Oldest Family-Owned Department Stores!

CELEBRATING 117 YEARS

Floral • Gifts • Lawn & Garden

608.372.7208 721 Superior Ave., Tomah, WI 54660 thestation.tomahwi@gmail.com

Tomah Cash Mercantile A Step Back in Time

Old Fashion Department Store Featuring Clothing, Furniture, Shoes & Unique Gifts www.tomahcashstore.com • Four Floors of Shopping

914 Superior Ave. • Tomah, WI 54660

608-372-2171

M-F 9-5:30 | Sat. 9-4 | Sun. (Nov.-Dec. only) 12-4

J & R Variety

LLC

Quality at Low, Low Prices

Nostalgic Variety Store • Silk Flowers • Prints Gifts • Tools • Mattress Sets • Furniture and so much more at Great Prices! Celebrating 18 Years in Business 1006 Superior Ave • 608.374.3404

hiddenvalleys.com | 75

MONROE COUNTY

gomonroecounty.com

Village of Cashton | www.villageofcashton.info

Fall Fest -

Sept. 7-9, 2018

Bank of Cashton

Since 1899

723 Main St., | Cashton, WI | (608) 654-5121

Mabel’s on Main, LLC A Unique Floral Experience

HOURS M-Sat 9-5 Sun 11-5 "Home of Juusto Cheese" Cheese Trays Gift Boxes Amish & Local Artisans Will Ship in U.S.

Home of Juusto, the award-winning baked cheese! Toll Free

608-654-7444 866-248-7444

110 Eagle Drive, Cashton

We make over 60 varieties of cheese.

Gift boxes • Goat Cheese Organic Cheeses Amish Candy, Jams,Jellies and Preserves

Kelly Hauser-Schaller Phone: 608-654-5808 611 Broadway, Cashton, WI 54619 email: kellyhschaller@gmail.com

Nana’s Farmhouse Hours: Friday & Saturdays 10-4 OPEN APRIL - DECEMBER S213 COUNTRY RD D CASHTON, WI 546198

COME, VISIT MILTON THE MOUSE & NELLI THE HORSE.

Open seven days a week at 1100 a.m. Daily lunch specials Monday-Friday Full Soup & Salad Bar (all you can eat) every day beginning at 4 p.m.

909 Front Street • Cashton, WI 608-654-5706

deb@badgercrossing.com www.badgercrossing.com

Nightly Specials Monday Lotsa Pasta Tuesday Burger Bash Wednesday New BBQ feature monthly Thursday Hand Cut Rib Eye Friday Fish Fry Saturday Prime Rib Sunday Steak & Shrimp Weekend reservations appreciated

76 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

608-343-1683

MONROE COUNTY

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Monroe County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit gomonroecounty.org

Special Thanks To The Tomah Convention & Visitor Bureau, Sparta Chamber, Ike Rebout, Fort McCoy, Lorry Erickson, Pat Howard, Steve Peterson and Matthew Whitehead for photos.

Ontario

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CHEESE COUNTRY

Cheese Country Driving Tour Of course the entire state of Wisconsin is famous for cheese. After football fans started wearing those yellow wedge-shaped foam hats in support of our favorite team, we became officially and affectionately known as “cheeseheads.” And we consider the nickname a compliment! Here in southern Wisconsin, we are also cheese eaters; cheese lovers; and, most importantly, cheesemakers. This tour along scenic back roads and over rolling hills also highlights history, outdoor recreation, and kid-friendly stops along the way. Another way to enjoy the scenery of Cheese Country is by taking an off-road trip on the Cheese Country Trail— a multi-use trail (popular with ATVs) running through Green, Lafayette, and Iowa Counties.

Driving Tour

Begin your tour of Cheese Country in BRODHEAD. Climb on your bicycle and ride just north of the city on the Sugar River Trail to the replica Clarence Covered Bridge. In addition to an engine and caboose, open for exploration, the Brodhead Depot Museum offers lots of local history. Brodhead Depot Museum, 1108 1st Center Avenue. 608.897.4150. Take Highway 11/81 west to Juda.

CHEESE STOPS n D ecatur Dairy, Inc. W1668 Cty Rd F | 608.897.2777 n Maple Leaf Cheese Factory Outlet W2616 Hwy 11/81 | 608.934.1237 Continue west on Highway 11/81 to Monroe. MONROE – Start downtown on Monroe’s Historic Courthouse Square, an eclectic shopping district surrounding the majestic 1891 Green County Courthouse. Stop in for a Limburger-with-onion-on-rye sandwich at Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern. Just west of the square is the Monroe Arts Center, featuring performing arts and an exhibition gallery. Get a taste of Monroe’s Swiss history at Turner Hall, just two blocks south of the square.

CHEESE STOPS n A lp and Dell Cheese | 657 2nd Street (intersection of Highway 69 south and Highway 11/81) | 608.328.3355 | FREE TOUR! Visit weekday mornings to see cheesemaking in action. n National Historic Cheesemaking Center & Imobersteg Farmstead Factory, 2018 6th Avenue. (Highway 69 South) tracing the path to fame as the epicenter of Wisconsin cheesemaking. n Minhas Craft Brewery, 1208 14th Avenue. 608.325.3191 | Take the “taster’s tour” and witness the brewing process at the nation’s second-oldest family-owned brewery. Beer, plus five fun flavors of premium sodas can be found in the Founder’s Tap Room. MONTICELLO – Stop along Highway 69 South and enjoy the view of Lake Montesian, or stroll through the Montesian Gardens, a community garden with blooms from spring til frost. Downtown Monticello offers several unique restaurants; be sure to check out the textile displays at the Dining Room at 209 Main.

CHEESE STOPS n S ilver-Lewis Cheese W3075 Cty EE | 608.938.4813 n S wiss Heritage Cheese, Inc. 114 E Coates Ave | 608.938.4455 NEW GLARUS “America’s Little Switzerland” Swiss immigrants admired the hilly region and decided to call it home in the 1840s. Take a glimpse into the lives of those early settlers at the Swiss Historical Village Museum. The entire village of New Glarus is a showcase of Swiss architecture and heritage. You’ll find several restaurants with ethnic specialties. Try fondue at the Glarner Stube, the New Glarus Hotel, or the Chalet Landhaus Restaurant. Taste many varieties of locally made cheese, including Braun Suisse Kase (made exclusively from the milk of Brown Swiss cows) downtown at Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate.

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CHEESE COUNTRY

FUN FOR KIDS! n S wiss Historical Village Museum 612 7th Ave | 608.527.2317 n S wissland Mini Golf | 700 Hwy 69 South 608.527.5605 | Travel on Hwy 39 west out of New Glarus. HOLLANDALE FREE TOUR! Nick Engelbert’s Grandview, located onehalf mile west of Hollandale on Highway 39, is a tribute to the artistic efforts of a man who created more than 40 concrete folk art sculptures in his yard. The quirky “monkey tree” is a tribute to the Engelbert family. Travel on County K north from Hollandale, turn left on Langberry Road.

Driving Tour

curds. Further west on Highway 14, you’ll discover two farm markets. Heck’s Market Place is famous for their fall display of more than 8,000 pumpkins. Peck’s Farm Market offers loads of fresh produce, baked goods, and preserves. Kids love the petting zoo with all sizes and types of animals ranging from giant llamas to the tiniest of pygmy goats.

in the cockpit or imagine trying to get a good night’s sleep on the “bunk beds.” The plane was used to transport troops and cargo during the Korean War. Look closely for the signature of actress Farah Fawcett, who autographed the plane when it was used for a car commercial.

SPRING GREEN is an artisan’s haven, with numerous shops and studios. Check out the Wisconsin Artists Showcase on South Washington Street, located in a restored 1900s Wisconsin cheese warehouse. If you’re hungry, locals heartily recommend the “Ms. Ruthie” sandwich at The Shed, named in honor of a bartender employed there for nearly three decades. Work off those calories on the long, steep climb up to the smelter house at nearby Tower Hill State Park. There you will discover how lead was melted, poured down the 180foot tower to the cool water below, and formed into lead shot in the mid-1800s.

n N ordic Creamery | S2246 Langaard Lane, Westby | 608.634.3199 | Nordic Creamery is a small creamery and farm located in Wisconsin’s Driftless area of Southwest Wisconsin. This family run operation created some of the world’s best cheese and butter. They have continuously received recognition in the form of awards at several national and international cheese and butter competitions. Nestles off the beaton path, the view is sure to impress. Stop on out and visit the on the farm store and enjoy their dairy products along with premium homemade ice cream and farmstead fresh meat products.

SCENIC VIEW! A short half hour ride on Highway 14 West to Highway 60 West to Highway 80 South will bring you into Muscoda where you will find Meister Cheese. For a return trip on the other side of the Wisconsin River, take Highway 133 East to Highway 130 North which brings you back to Highway 14. Take Highway 23 just south of Spring Green for areat view of the “Point of Infinity” at nearby House on the Rock. FUN FOR KIDS! Climb aboard the 1952 Boeing C-97 (Strato-Cruiser) at the Don Q Inn and check out the instrument panel

CHEESE STOP

n M eister Cheese | 1050 E. Industrial Dr Muscoda | 608.739.3134 DODGEVILLE – namesake Henry Dodge, first Governor of the Wisconsin Territory. Built in 1859, the Iowa County Courthouse is the oldest continuously operating courthouse in the state. Satisfy your sweet tooth just down the street with a square ice cream cone at Corner Drug Store. You can even stop in to check your email in the lobby at the Dodgeville Chamber of Commerce, 338 N. Iowa St.

BARNEVELD – You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see lush hillsides covered with grape vines. In addition to wine tasting and tours, Botham Vineyards has an expansive terrace perfect for picnic. They’ll help you pair a bottle of wine with some award winning locally made cheese. Continue north on County K, turn right on Mounds Park Road. SCENIC VIEW! Climb the observation towers at Blue Mound State Park for fantastic panoramic views of the area. Continue north on County K, turn left on Highway 14. ARENA – A giant mouse on the front lawn marks the home of Arena Cheese. Step inside to view the cheesemaking process and munch some squeaky fresh cheese

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CHEESE COUNTRY

Driving Tour

CHEESE STOP n M ontchevre-Betin, 330 Penn Street, Belmont, 608.762.5878 Take Highway 126 to Highway 81. Go east to Highway 80, then south to Cuba City. n G ile Cheese, 116 N. Main Street, Cuba City 608.744.3456, named Tri-State’s #1 Cheese Store, making 31 varieties of specialty cheeses. From Cuba City take County H east to County J. Travel on County J south through Benton to County W and east to New Diggings. MINERAL POINT – “The place where Wisconsin began” is home to numerous artisan studios and galleries, plus an assortment of other shops featuring coffees, gifts, books, toys, and cheese. Stop for some traditional homemade Cornish fare or enjoy a sandwich at Pointer Cafe.

CHEESE STOP n H ook’s Cheese, 320 Commerce Street, 608.987.3259 n M ineral Point Opera House, 139 High Street, 608.987.2642. Current movies every weekend, plus special events all year. n M ineral Point Railroad Museum, 11 Commerce Street, 608.987.2769. Oldest depot in Wisconsin, featuring many railroad artifacts. Open 10am4pm, Thursday through Sunday. n O rchard Lawn/Gundry House Museum, 2 blocks east of the water tower on Madison Street, 608.987.2884. Guided tours June – September.

Take Highway 151 south from Mineral Point to Belmont. The First Capitol is located on County Road G. BELMONT - First capitol for the Wisconsin Territory in 1836. Take a drive through this tiny hamlet for a firsthand look at where a hardy group of fledgling legislators founded territorial Wisconsin’s government. Lawmakers huddled in the cold in the fall and winter of 1836 to build the framework of law and order that would evolve into the State of Wisconsin 12 years later. Stop in at Montchevre Cheese and try fresh goat cheese, goat brie, or chevre in blue.

NEW DIGGINGS – In 1824, the lead rush was on, and prospectors traveled up the Fever River from Galena, Illinois— the “old” diggings—to seek riches at the “new” diggings. Hard to believe, but in its heyday, New Diggings had more people than Chicago! Relax outside on the porch at Anton’s Bar, and discover what “supersize” really means as they grill up a Macho Burger. St. Augustine’s Church stands just as it did when Father Mazzuchelli gave mass, from the imported Italian sculptures, to the stained glass windows. Look closely at the right side of the altar for the secret passageway built into it for quick escapes in case of Indian attacks. Open Sundays May 31 through September, 1-4 p.m. or by appointment by calling 608.744.3438 or 608.854.2396. Take County W east to County O. Take County O north to Shullsburg. SHULLSBURG – Home to Shullsburg Cheese since 1938. The Irish town namesake comes from Jessie Shull, a fur trader and lead miner. Founded in 1827, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli platted the community and named the streets Friendship, Charity, Justice, Judgement, Mercy and Hope. The Water Street Business District is home to a diverse and eclectic group of shops, restaurants, and lodging establishments. FUN FOR KIDS! Gravity Hill. Drive south from Shullsburg past the water tower and check out this eyebrow-raising phenomena about one mile south on County Highway U. Stop your southbound vehicle next to the curve/25-mph sign. Put the vehicle in neutral, and roll backward UP the hill.

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Honest! (This is a public highway so watch for other vehicles.) Take Highway 11 east to Roelli Cheese, 15982 Road 11, 800.575.4372, an artisan cheese factory and retail store that has been in business for over 100 years. Turn left on Highway 23 north to Darlington. DARLINGTON – Lafayette County Courthouse, 627 Washington Street, 608.776.4171. Built in 1905, it holds the record as Wisconsin’s oldest active courthouse and features a rotunda made of Tiffany glass. Open weekdays 8 am-430 pm. Lafayette County Historical Society Museum, 525 Main Street, 608.776.8340. The museum is noted for their original collection of paintings by Laverne Kammerude, depicting farm scenes and rural life in southwestern Wisconsin from 1910 to 1940. Open daily 1-4 pm, Memorial Day – Labor Day.

CHEESE STOP If you are interested in touring a cheese factory and local cheese producer… n B runkow Cheese, 17975 Hwy F, will show you how cheese is made. Take Highway 81 east toward Argyle. Turn left on County N and follow to Lake Road. Turn left on Lake Road to Yellowstone Lake. ARGYLE - Visit Yellowstone Lake State Park, with fishing, swimming, and boating on the lake. Stop in for an ice cream cone at the Dairy Bar—a seasonal restaurant owned by Lafayette County Dairy Promotion. Partridge Hall/Star Theatre, 200 South State Street, 608.543.3960. Unusual bellshaped trim distinguishes this building (National Register of Historic Places) that once served as the town meeting place. Now a restaurant and antique store. Return to Monroe on Highway 81.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

Welcome to Crawford County Don’t Miss... • The Kickapoo River (One of the most crooked rivers in the world) • Prairie Villa Rendezvous • Soldiers Grove America’s First Solar Village • Gays Mills Orchards • The Mississippi River • The Wisconsin River • The Great River Road • Fort Crawford Museum •S pring Fest and Folk Fest - Gays Mills • Rummage Along the River Stoddard, Genoa, Victory, De Soto, Ferryville, Lynxville, Seneca • Soldiers Grove Dairy Days

Crawford County should be savored and enjoyed, not hurried through. In this unglaciated county, roads follow the rhythm of the land, and farms and orchards are contoured around the twisting hills and valleys. There’s a wealth of opportunity for the hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, and canoe enthusiast!

T HE FAMOUS RIVERS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Mississippi River’s beauty in this area rivals the Rhine and surpasses the Hudson, giving the visitor a romantic thrill of having stepped into one of Mark Twain’s visions. From the bordering highways, one beholds an ever-changing panorama of wind-andwater carved rock formations and colorful bluffs. The rivers are filled with hundreds of wooded green islands and water concourses, challenging to the exploring boater or photographer. The Wisconsin River is a famous waterway that was the center of the bloody dispute over the Fox-Wisconsin river route that connected the Mississippi with the Great Lakes. The Wisconsin River delta is like an outstretched palm reaching for the Father of

Waters. Father Marquette and Jolliet viewed the mighty Mississippi from towering bluffs at this confluence. The Kickapoo River is one of the most crooked rivers in the world. Snaking its way 100 miles through the Kickapoo Valley, it covers a distance of only 33 linear miles. This river provides nature’s photographic wonderland, which can be viewed from the many highways that follow its winding path. One of the best views of the Kickapoo can be seen from the apple orchard road above Gays Mills. This river is an exciting adventure to the canoe travelers. This heartland of the Upper Mississippi River abounds with excellent fishing for pan and sports species. There are numerous launching ramps and several marinas with small boat and houseboat rentals. The backwaters of this area provide a meandering series of waterways into nature’s extravaganza. The area is renowned for hunting waterfowl, deer, grouse, squirrel, and rabbit. Fly fishing for trout on the many streams of Crawford County is yet another adventure to be had. The Driftless Area, with many trails, is a haven for the hiker. The back roads of the

• Prairie Dog Blues Festival Prairie du Chien • Kickapoo Stump Dodger Bash Gays Mills • Crawford County Fair - Gays Mills • Apple Festival - Gays Mills • Villa Louis Carriage Classic • Driftless Area Art Festival Soldiers Grove

area are ideal as bicycle ways. Bicycling the back roads and main roads of Crawford County is a growing interest, and we see more and more people touring on bikes. Some camp at Sugar Creek Campgrounds, Stump Dodger Campgrounds in Gays Mills, and at other sites. In a rural area of many nationalities, you are provided an unusual array of antiques with the antique stores of various styles being located along almost every byway. Rock and fossil collectors will find this a geological area of rich exploration. There are many exceptional supper clubs and restaurants in the region. The unusual and historic eateries include a grill and bar, deli, and fine family dining. Nationally and

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CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

Prairie du Chien tourism center

locally renowned quick food stands also balance the hunger needs of visitors to the area. The West begins in Crawford County, at the heart of the Upper Mississippi River bluff country, where you find a combination of scenery and history unsurpassed anywhere in the Midwest. The rich historical lore found here in the exploits and daring of men and women who made the Northwest is equally fascinating to the casual visitor or learned traveler. The first American flag flown on Wisconsin Territory was raised here on September 4, 1805, on the visit of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike to explore the Upper Mississippi.

FORT CRAWFORD MUSEUM

Located at the confluence of the Wisconsin River with the Mississippi River, Prairie du Chien was of economic and military importance in the early 19th century. The British controlled the prairie and the Upper Mississippi Valley, along with the fur trade, until the close of the War of 1812. To establish the presence of the U.S. in the region, a chain of military forts was constructed: Fort Armstrong at Rock Island, Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, and Fort Snelling at the mouth of the Minnesota River. The first Fort Crawford was a log structure, constructed in 1816 by the U.S. Army. It was built in the Main Village, located in what is now St. Feriole Island. A series of floods in the 1820s forced the War Department to move Fort Crawford to the mainland of Prairie du Chien. In 1829 the second Fort Crawford was erected. Built of local limestone, the fort sat atop the highest ground, looking down on the Mississippi River. Stone barracks formed a quadrangle; outside the compound, a one story L-shaped hospital was built, facing south. Fort Crawford was staffed throughout the 1830s. Troops stationed at the fort were involved in the Black Hawk War and the construction of the military road from Prairie du Chien to Green Bay. Here, Dr. William Beaumont performed many of his experiments on Alexis St. Martin to determine how humans digest food.

Kickapoo River View

In the 1840s, Fort Crawford was abandoned. It was used as a recruiting station during the Mexican War and again during the Civil War.

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In 1872, the fort property was purchased by John Lawler, and he had a school for young women built where the barracks had once stood. The hospital fell into ruin and was often the subject for paintings executed by the students attending St. Mary’s Institute. The second Fort Crawford Hospital was first occupied in 1831, with Dr. William Beaumont as the first surgeon. Zachary Taylor, Jefferson Davis, and Chief Black Hawk are also associated with the second Fort Crawford. Some tireless DAR women bought the site in the 1920s, and in the 1930s it was reconstructed as a WPA project, with restoration completed in 1960. Since 1995, the museum has been owned and operated by the nonprofit Prairie du Chien Historical Society. The restored Fort Crawford Hospital contains exhibits on Dr. William Beaumont and his experiments, Fort Crawford, Black Hawk’s surrender, and the use of Fort Crawford as a recruiting station during the Civil War, and the Swift United States Army General Hospital, one of three Civil War hospitals in Wisconsin. An additional museum contains exhibits on the first railroad to cross Wisconsin, Mississippi River clamming and boating, and a special exhibit on the 200th anniversary of Fort Crawford. It is open daily 9 am to 4 pm as a museum from May through October. It is a National Historic Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

VILLA LOUIS

Villa Louis is a Victorian country estate with one of the nation’s finest collections of late 19th century decorative arts. Home of three generations of the Hercules L. Dousman family, the site today includes 25 acres of land on St. Feriole Island. The Dousman family rose to prominence during the last days of the Upper Mississippi Fur Trade. Through timely investments in farm lands, lumber, steamboats, and railroad stock they became prominent and wealthy leaders in the economic and social development of southwestern Wisconsin. Villa Louis also includes sites, structures, and exhibits pertaining to the French-Canadian Fur Trade, 1816 Fort Crawford, and the War of 1812 in Wisconsin. The Villa Louis Historic Site opens for the season in May and closes the end of October. Call 608.326.2721 for hours and days open.

CRAWFORD COUNTY n

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

P RAIRIE DU CHIEN

Prairie du Chien, French meaning “Prairie of the Dog,” was named for a clan or family of Fox/Meskwaki who lived on the prairie. The name is unique and the only known community in the world so named. Long before the coming of the white men, the prairie was neutral ground where Indians met, most often to trade. It was claimed for France in 1673 by Marquette and Jolliet, who were the first white men to view the Upper Mississippi from the Wisconsin River. Nicolas Perrot established a fur depot (fort) in the 1680s and named it for his patron saint. The first known white settlers came in the 1770s. After the Revolutionary War, it was part of the Northwest Territory, the Indiana Territory, the Illinois Territory, the Michigan Territory, the Wisconsin Territory, and finally in 1848, the State of Wisconsin. Prairie du Chien was founded after Green Bay, which is the oldest European settlement in Wisconsin. American troops built Fort Shelby in 1814, and the British captured the fort in the same year. The first Fort Crawford was built in 1816 and the second in 1829. Chief Black Hawk surrendered to fort personnel and was imprisoned at the fort in 1832.

Mississippi River

is believed to have been constructed in 1843, five years before Wisconsin became a state. The jail was operational from that point on until the present jail was erected in 1896. A monument to Robert Lester, the Sheriff of Crawford County killed in the line of duty in 1844, when Wisconsin was still a territory, is located at the entrance to the Sheriff’s Department headquarters at the Courthouse. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Prairie du Chien is a community of over 6,000 residents. Located along the Mississippi River and towering bluffs, the community offers unlimited recreational opportunities, scenic beauty, and historic sites. It has become a popular tourist destination in southwest Wisconsin. Unique shopping, a variety of dining, attractions for all ages, family-oriented annual events, plus over 40 lodging properties keep people coming back year after year. For tourism information, contact the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce/ Tourism Council, 211 S. Main, Prairie du Chien, 800.732.1673, or visit their website at prairieduchien.org

The Gays Mills area is the center of the largest and most concentrated apple orchard area in the Tri-States. Mother’s Day Weekend is the date for the Annual Spring Festival. For up-to-date information on the dates of full bloom, call one of the orchards, or 608. 735.4810. The apple harvest starts with early apples in August, and continues through mid-October. Some apple salesrooms are open until Christmas. The Annual Gays Mills Apple Festival is the last full weekend in September. The Pioneer Log Cabin Village

C RAWFORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Crawford County was formed in 1820. The courthouse as it stands today was built in several stages. The oldest central section dates back to 1867. An earlier courthouse on this site was built in 1836, when Wisconsin became a territory. The Territorial Prison, referred to as the “Dungeons,” is located in the basement. The Territorial Prison—or more practical word, jail—since its function was to hold felons for only a short time,

T. GABRIEL’S CHURCH, S SCHOOL, AND CEMETERY

The parish dates back to the 1820s and the stone church to 1836. The early settlers met in a log cabin on the banks of St. Feriole Slough. In 1908, the church was modernized when the twin spires and the new front were added. Father Galtier, early priest and the founder of St. Paul, is buried in front of the church. The cemetery behind the church holds the graves of most of Prairie du Chien’s early Catholics. St. Gabriel’s is the oldest operating parish in Wisconsin.

GAYS MILLS

and Museum of the Kickapoo are also located in Gays Mills, Wisconsin.

ENJOY THE ORCHARD EXPERIENCE

From the junction of Highways 61 and 171 east of Gays Mills to three miles west of Gays Mills are the famed orchards of southwestern Wisconsin. From August through December of each year there is a different experience and a different atmosphere to enjoy at each orchard. In addition to apples, strawberries, and cherries, some orchards grow grapes, plums, squash, and pumpkins, plus other Wisconsin and local products are displayed during the season.

PRAIRIE VILLA RENDEZVOUS

It’s a new century at the natural crossroads formed by the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. The annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous in Prairie du Chien invites men, women, and their families from all walks of life to dress in their authentic buckskins and calico dresses as they recreate life as it was in the 1840s, when Prairie du Chien was the hub of the Mississippi Valley fur trade. As one of the largest trading reenactments in the Midwest, with over 400 lodges, visitors can visit and observe skilled craft persons as they demonstrate spinning yarn, woodcarving, basket weaving, pottery making, and beading. Period black powder rifles, clothing, hats, and beads are just a few of the many items you can purchase. As you stroll through the Rendezvous, you’ll smell the aromas coming from the buckskinners’ lodges, where meals of

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CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

Celebration Belle Riverboat, Prairie du Chein

venison stew, dumplings, fry bread, and kettles of coffee are prepared over an open fire. The Jaycees, co-sponsors with the Big River Long Rifles, are cooking their popular buffalo burgers for everyone to enjoy. Fry bread, Indian tacos, root beer, sarsaparilla, caramel corn, and other foods characteristic to the 1840s are also available for you and your family to enjoy. Registered participants will compete in flint and steel fire starting, black powder shooting, hawk and knife throw, bull whip, and women’s and children’s games. This special event is always held Father’s Day weekend on St. Feriole Island.

OTHER EVENTS

Ice Fisheree—first weekend in February; St. Patrick’s Day Parade—weekend of St. Patrick’s Day; Chamber of Commerce Fireworks; War of 1812—weekend following the 4th of July; Prairie Dog Blues Festival— last weekend in July. See a complete listing in Calendar of Events.

TOURISM INFORMATION:

For tourism information, contact the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce/ Tourism Council, 211 S. Main, Prairie du Chien, 800.732.1673, or visit their website at prairieduchien.org. Fort Crawford Museum: 608.326.6960 Villa Louis Historic Site: 608.326.2721 Prairie du Chien Public Library: 608.326.6211 Wisconsin Room at University of Wisconsin– Platteville, Karrmann Library, Platteville Lower Wisconsin River Genealogical and Historical Research Center, PO Box 202, Wauzeka, WI 53826-0202,

LYNXVILLE

Visitors will often see barges, the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, or the American

DE SOTO

Queen at Lock and Dam No. 9 locking through as they travel the Mississippi River. Roadside overlooks are available. Lynxville provides boat slip rentals, tourist information, etc. Also in Lynxville, you will find a resort with a bar, lodging, a marina, and campground. The Lock and Dam provide an excellent opportunity to see barges, pleasure boats and the paddle boats lock through to get to the next section of the river. This is a great chance to be up close and see the whole process.

De Soto is a small village on the banks of the Mississippi River. Located on the Great River Road, it was once part of the Northwest Territory that once was the home of the Winnebago Indians. In 1837, the Winnebago’s lost most of their land east of the Mississippi River in a treaty with the U.S. From 1820 to 1854, it was known as the Winneshiek Landing, Bad Axe County. The first settlers did not like the Indian name and finally settled on De Soto after Hernando De Soto, who discovered the Mississippi River. It became a center for grain and lumber to be shipped on the river. The town grew with hotels, a creamery, breweries, sawmills, grain elevators, warehouse, shoemakers, copper shop, blacksmith shop, general store, doctors and lawyers. Today, De Soto is a small community where people enjoy being away from the hustle of the city. Restaurants, taverns, motels, and a boat landing are available to the people who come to fish, hunt, and enjoy the great Mississippi River.

SOLDIERS GROVE

Soldiers Grove area provides a unique opportunity to explore America’s first solar village, with buildings designed to exploit solar energy—perhaps the only solar village in the U.S. Both country-style and elegant Victorian-style dining and lodging are available locally as well as campgrounds and trailer parks, and a full complement of business services.

FERRYVILLE

The Village of Ferryville was first called Humblebush. When the ferry started running from Humblebush (Ferryville) to Lansing, they changed the name to Ferryville. Ferryville has lodging, three restaurants, pottery, collectibles, antiques, and some of the most beautiful views of the river from the observation deck. Sugar Creek Park is a terrific place to picnic and/or camp. The public boat launch is actively used to access the Mississippi River for pleasure boating, birding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hunting. This is the widest point on the Mississippi River and the sunsets are glorious year-around. Hiking at Sugar Creek Bluff is a new adventure that gives a panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley in all directions and can be accessed during all four seasons.

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MOUNT STERLING

On the way to the orchards, stop off at the Mount Sterling Cheese Co-op. The co-op has won several awards for their goat cheese, including the Wisconsin State Fair (home of the World’s Champion Cheddar Cheese).

WAUZEKA

Wauzeka is a quiet little town located at the mouth of the Kickapoo River which flows into the Wisconsin River. The Kickapoo Indian Caverns along Highway 60 once served as a shelter for the prehistoric Indians of the valley. Also located here is the Lower Wisconsin River Genealogical and Historical Research Center, a very active group in genealogical research. “Currents through History” maps of the Lower Wisconsin River are available. Write: Lower Wisconsin River Genealogical and Historical Research Center, PO Box 202, Wauzeka, WI 53826. A b o at l a n ding o n Fro nt St re e t accommodates canoeists and boaters alike. The floating dock enables fishing right from shore and is handicap accessible. Bathrooms are on site. Century Hall is a restored theater and a community center.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

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facebook.com/ ferryvillewi

www.visitfer r yville.com

Visit www.DriftlessWisconsin.com www.facebook.com/crawfordcountytourismcouncil

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CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN A short drive south of La Crosse on the scenic Great River Road - Hwy 35

1-800-732-1673 www.prairieduchien.org The Area’s Source for Tourism Information Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Council 211 S Main, Prairie du Chien

OFFICIAL TRAVEL WISCONSIN WELCOME CENTER Opens Daily May 1- Oct 31

Bustles not required. Walk through the doors of the Villa Louis Mansion and step into the life of one of the state’s most prosperous families. Tour the fully-restored Villa Louis Mansion Discover Wisconsin’s fur trade history Visit Wisconsin’s only War of 1812 Battlefield Experience the elegance of the annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic

521 N. Villa Louis Road Prairie du Chien, WI | 608.326.2721 villalouis.org | / VillaLouisHistoricSite

Carriage Classic Annual Villa Louis

Villa Louis Historic Site

St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien

September 7-9

Midwest’s largest competitive equine sport driving event!

“The Finest Smoked Fish in the World” • Catfish, Alligator & Snapping Turtle Jerky • Homemade Hickory Smoked Sausage & Jerkies • Fresh & Frozen Fish & Seafood • Fresh Wisconsin Cheese

The Area’s Most Unique Shop

608-326-4719

www.valleyfishmarketpdc.com valleyfishmarket@gmail.com

608-326-2721

Schoenhard Photo

www.carriageclassic.com

304 S Prairie St, Prairie du Chien

Located 1 block east of the Information Center just across the Mississippi River Bridge from Iowa

86 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org

2018 Annual Summer & Fall Events

Your Hunting & Fishing Headquarters Over 400 Wines to Choose from! Large Selection of Micro Brews & Imports Best Prices on Spirits! Open 7 Days a week!

Homemade Appetizers, Sandwiches, Salads, Pasta, Steaks Open You’ll Love our Daily at Hand-breaded 11 a.m. Cheese Curds! Carryouts Available www.fortmulligans.com

Downtown Prairie du Chien

608-326-0639

608-326-2478

Downtown Prairie du Chien

www.starkssportshop.com

Next to the AmericInn

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• Free Wine Tasting • Monthly Events • Wine Garden • Fun Gift Shop

Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm

608-326-8500 1-800-771-7171

1833 S Marquette Rd, Prairie du Chien

www.microtelinn.com

The

“Wine Maker of the Year”

127 North St., Marquette, IA

• Free Hot Breakfast • Indoor Pool & Spa • Free Wi-Fi • In Room Fridge/Micro • Fitness Room • Boat Plug-ins/Parking

Cannery

Eagles Landing Winery

563-873-1905

Prairie du Chien’s Newest Hotel!

“You may walk in as a stranger but leave as a friend”

Primitives, Rustic Decor, Shabby Chic and so much more! Great place to buy unique gifts for birthdays, weddings, or just because. 127 W. Blackhawk Ave. Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Laurie Pedretti 608.412.0343 Look us up on Facebook

Family Fun

• Miniature Golf • Water Wars • Go-Karts • Bumper Boats • Bumper Cars • Arcade • Bounce House • Trampoline Basketball

Open 10 am Daily Memorial Day-Labor Day, & Weekends in May & Sept.

608-326-0888

Hwy 18, Prairie du Chien

www.prairiefunland.com

30,000 sq. feet of Country & Primitive Decor & Unique Gifts

Open Daily 9-5 608-326-6518

300 N Marquette Rd, Prairie du Chien

Shihata’s

ER CIDUTS! DON

Breads • Cookies • Turnovers Open Thursday - Sunday

Areas Largest Selection of Fresh Apples, Specialty Foods, Assorted Gifts and Fun! Pick Your Own Apples & Pumpkins!

www.checksantiques.com

Hey Kids!! Visit our... Country Fun Park, Adult and Kids Games, Corn Box & Much More! Check Out Our Annual Orchard Fest

Open Daily 9 AM - 5 PM 1 mile north of Cabela’s on Hwy. 35 then right on Limery Rd. 61549 Limery Rd. • Prairie du Chien, WI 608-326-2785 www.Shihataorchard.com

Open Daily 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

608-326-5360 1915 S Marquette Rd, Prairie du Chien

608.326.6014

w w w. cul ver s. c o m

hiddenvalleys.com | 87

CRAWFORD COUNTY

The Land of Three Rivers | crawfordcountywi.org Sugar Grove

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Rising Sun

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Crawford County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit crawfordcountywi.org

Natural Area Public Hunting Ground Class 1 Trout Stream River Bike Route Snowmobile Trail

88 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

Welcome to Lafayette County

CHECK US OUT AND “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK: LAFAYETTE COUNTY WISCONSIN A little bit of country is good for the soul… you will find plenty of it in Lafayette County. Nestled in the hills of the southwest Wisconsin Driftless region, this area was untouched by ancient glaciers, leaving a landscape of undulating hills and valleys with awesome views from atop ridges, a virtual mosaic of farm fields, stone outcroppings, and verdant river valleys. If you’re looking for a little peace and quiet, a respite from the hustle and bustle of life, Lafayette County is what you need. Lafayette County played a significant role in the early history of our state. There are numerous places for you to dig deeper into our state’s history. This was lead mining country, with settlers arriving in the 1820s. Early miners, with no time to build permanent structures, clawed into the hillsides, where they dug out lead and made crude dwelling shelters resembling badger holes. These miners were the inspiration for Wisconsin becoming known as The Badger State. Is outdoor recreation more your style? Lafayette County is for you too. No matter the season, there are opportunities for hiking, bicycling, swimming, ATV riding, horseback riding, canoeing, camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and crosscountry skiing. Are you an outdoor lover looking for a quieter way to enjoy nature? Take a drive, find a quiet spot in one of our

numerous parks, go for a walk with your camera, or enjoy a birding adventure.

Don’t Miss... • Our New Facebook Page! • Badger Mine & Museum

No matter how you decide to spend your time here, you will discover that this is a county based in agriculture. We are, in fact, the most agriculturally dependent county in Wisconsin. Farmers range from large dairy farms to small vegetable and fiber producers, and all are important to the fabric of our communities.

• Yellowstone Lake State Park

Speaking of communities, we may be small when it comes to size, but what we lack in numbers, we make up for in friendliness. Wander into our communities for a taste of some authentic American small-town culture. Stay awhile to get to know the people who call these places home. Take your time, there are no stoplights in Lafayette County…just plenty of reasons to slow down and stay awhile.

• Shullsburg’s Gravity Hill

n TRAVEL THROUGH HISTORY Retrace the steps of early Wisconsin on your travels through Lafayette County. With a little imagination, you can hear the echoes of those original “badgers” picking mineral out of the hillsides. And you can almost hear the sound of the gavel as the first Wisconsin Territorial legislators gathered in 1836. Start your history lesson in Shullsburg at The Badger Mining Museum where you can get a glimpse of life through nearly

• Cheese Country Trail • Swindler’s Ridge Museum • Darlington Depot Museum • Pecatonica River State Recreation Trail

• Benton - Mining Capital of the World • Belmont ‘‘Home of the First State Capitol’’ • Shullsburg’s Historic Water Street Business District

190 years of this historic community. You will find farming implements, household items, antique clothing, and a replica of a general store. Learn about Shullsburg’s more infamous stories too—like a daring bank robbery by Chicago mobsters in 1927. At the center of it all is a look back at the important mining industry with displays of minerals, mining equipment, and a working replica of the Eagle Pitcher mine. Take a tour into an actual hand-dug 19th century mine and get a feel for the rough

hiddenvalleys.com | 89

LAFAYETTE COUNTY life of early Wisconsin miners. The museum is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. While in Shullsburg, be sure to spend some time downtown on Water Street, a National Historic District. Pay attention to the unusual street names, like Virtue, Judgement, and Hope, named by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, an Italian Missionary Priest. Fr. Mazzuchelli established many parishes in frontier Wisconsin and designed more than 24 churches and civic buildings. Just down the road in New Diggings is St. Augustine’s Church, the only church that remains as he originally designed it. Built in 1844, this structure on the National Register of Historic Places has recently been restored. Although not an active parish, a memorial mass is held annually on the last Sunday of August. St. Augustine’s is open Sunday afternoons from 1-4 from May 31-Sept 30, or by appointment. Call 608.965.4517. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Mazzuchelli Venerable, and began the process of possible recognition as a saint in

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

the Roman Catholic Church. Fr Mazuchelli’s home and gravesite is located just a few miles away in Benton. While in Benton, visit Swindler’s Ridge Museum, where you will find more mining artifacts and a working diorama of a lead and zinc mine. Call 608.776.8340 for open hours. Benton’s historic limestone water tower, built in 1900, served the community for nearly a century. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The 1915 Schoolhouse Museum houses a collection of early education and alumni memorabilia. It is open on Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends and other times by appointment by calling 608.759.3441. Travel to the northern part of the county to visit Belmont, home of the First Capitol Historical Site. It was here that, in 1836, the first session of the legislature of the newly formed Wisconsin Territory met. After 46 days, they had passed 42 laws, forming the basis for a government that would become the State of Wisconsin 12 years later. The two buildings remaining from this 1836 session contain historical exhibits. The First Capitol Historical Site is open daily for tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day or by appointment. Head over to Blanchardville and find a picturesque community nestled along the banks of the Pecatonica River. In 1848 a small group of Mormons broke away from Brigham Young and settled here, establishing what they called their Zarahemla or “City of God.” The river was dammed and a grist mill was built where Blanchardville Historical Society stands today. Discover more fascinating stories at their museum Saturday mornings from 9 until noon. Continue your journey through history in Argyle, the boyhood home of “Fighting Bob” LaFollette, founder of the Progressive movement, who was elected Wisconsin’s Governor in 1900 and served as a U.S. Senator from 1904 until his death in 1925. His home, the Saxton House, is being restored for future use as a museum. Let downtown Argyle transport you back to years gone by. One of the oldest buildings is Partridge Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (under the name Star Theatre) with original storefronts, segmental arch windows, six-over-six panes, and a unique bell shaped fascia.

90 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Blackhawk Memorial Park, just south of Argyle near the community of Woodford, is the site of the annual Bloody Lake Rendezvous, commemorating an 1832 skirmish of the Blackhawk War. Save the first weekend of May for family fun. Re-enactors from all over the country take you back to the Fur Trade Era, Civil War, and Pow Wows of pre-1840 Wisconsin with food, music, knife and hawk throwing and primitive shooting competitions. The tiny village of Wiota was originally known as “Hamilton’s Diggings” after one of its founders, William “Billy” Hamilton, the youngest son of Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Secretary of Treasury. Though raised in the genteel fashion of his east-coast cultured family, Billy was a miner, and like so many other young men in the 1820s, was anxious to have a share in the quick riches promised in lead mining. The Fort Hamilton Historical Marker tells the story of how Captain Hamilton led an effort to construct a fort to house frightened settlers. Hamilton’s stay in Wisconsin ended along with that of so many other ambitious men when news of gold and even greater riches beckoned them to California. Enjoy a family oriented 4th of July celebration, complete with ballgames, talent show, parade, and fireworks. We wind up our historical travels in the County Seat community of Darlington. Darlington is known as the “Pearl of the Pecatonica” because the Pecatonica River, which flows through the town, was for years a source for the production of pearl button blanks. Take a walk down Darlington’s Historic Main Street, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the buildings contributing to that designation, The Driver Opera House, is in the beginning stages of a project that will restore its original beauty as a performance arts and cultural center. The central landmark in Darlington is the Lafayette County Courthouse, which holds the distinction as the only Courthouse still in use in the U.S. that was funded by the estate of one man, Mat Murphy of Benton. The monumental limestone structure features a central rotunda with an elaborate dome—definitely worth a stop to see. Look around a bit and you will find evidence of Johnny Depp’s visit to the

LAFAYETTE COUNTY Courthouse when it was featured in the 2009 movie Public Enemies. The Lafayette County Historical Museum, located in the Carnegie Building across from the Courthouse, features archives for genealogy research as well as displays depicting lives of early residents. You will find items from the Civil War as well as memorabilia from early businesses, farms, homes and schools and paintings from local artists. The museum is open 1–4pm Monday through Saturday. The Darlington Depot Museum, filled with railroad artifacts, model trains, and railroad maps, is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Call 608.776.8340 for hours. Both museums are free, but donations are appreciated. That is just a sampling of the history to be uncovered in Lafayette County. Spend some time digging for more. Have fun with your discoveries. n SOAK UP SOME NATURAL BEAUTY Grab your camera. Bring your binoculars. Take a leisurely drive throughout Lafayette County and enjoy spectacular views, with small towns nested in valleys and winding tree-lined country roads that weave along rivers, beside hillsides and farmsteads. Look for cows dotting the fields, a sure sign that you’re in Wisconsin. Check out 65+ barn quilts featured on barns along the country roads. A map is available online at barnquiltsoflafayettecounty.com. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of our feathered friends. Make a stop at The Bluebird Nest Nature Center in Darlington, recently named a Bird City, USA. The Center features interactive interpretive displays relating to the eastern bluebird and other cavity-nesting birds, along with information about threatened and endangered species, and the general fauna and flora in the Driftless area. The Center is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1–5 pm. Enjoy a scenic 7.5-mile drive along Rustic Road 66 in the southwest corner of the county, located just off County W in the town of Benton. Look for an abandoned lead mine, complete with tin shacks, rusted ore buckets, and piles of tailings. This stretch of road offers you a gorgeous drive, especially in autumn, with a display of spectacular fall colors.

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

While in this part of Lafayette County, make a stop at Gravity Hill to experience something that defies common sense. Just a couple miles outside Shullsburg on County Road U, the highway plunges down a steep hill, across a low area, and back up a steeper hill. Stop your car about threequarters of the way down the first hill, just short of the 25-mph sign (the spot is also marked on the road), and shift your vehicle into neutral. You will start rolling backward up the hill, gradually picking up speed. You have to be there to believe it. While driving through the county, stop for a bit and enjoy a leisurely hike or a picnic at one of our parks. Belmont Mound State Park is located on County Highway G just northwest of Belmont. Belle Mont, French for “beautiful mountain,” is clearly an appropriate name. You will discover why when you visit this park with picnic areas, hiking trails, and playgrounds. In territorial days, the mound served as a landmark to guide travelers. One of the reasons Governor Dodge placed the First Capitol at Belmont was because it was easy to find in the uncharted Wisconsin Territorial wilderness. Yellowstone Lake State Park, located between Blanchardville and Argyle, is open year-round. The park is host to many species of wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkey, groundhog, fox, grey squirrel, and cottontail rabbit. There have been over 170 species of birds observed in and around the park. Bald eagles, osprey, common loon, and the double-crested cormorant visit the lake in the spring and fall during migration. Waterfowl of all kinds, including wood ducks, mallards and Canadian geese use the lake as a rest stop during their migration. Sandhill cranes have been observed in the park with their young. The great blue heron is a common resident seen wading in the shallows hunting for fish or frogs. And bats! Yellowstone Lake is the summer home to more than 4,000 little brown bats. Nature programs throughout the summer months cover many topics, from bat houses and stars in the night sky, to prairie ecosystems and more. When you’re in the Yellowstone neighborhood, drive into Argyle and visit the Erickson Wildlife Area. You can enjoy a variety of settings, including open water, wetlands,

Appetizers • Sandwiches • Dinners • Seafood Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day

7125 Lake Road, Blanchardville, WI

(608)523-4505

Pecatonica River frontage, big oak trees, woodland, rock outcrops, and grassland. Wildlife is abundant! Cranes, songbirds, turtles, frogs, fox, butterflies, and fish call this special place home. And there are plenty of wonderful wildflowers, grasses and trees! The area is open to the public throughout the year for non-motorized uses, like hiking, birding and wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, trapping, and skiing. Six miles south of Argyle off County Road Y, is Blackhawk Memorial Park. Situated alongside the Pecatonica River, you will find a picturesque 120-acre park where you can camp, hike, canoe, and fish. Take plenty of time to enjoy the beauty on your travels through Lafayette County…it is picture postcard material. n FIND FARMS, FOOD, AND FIBER You’re in farm country here. From large-scale dairy farms to small family homesteads, agriculture surrounds us. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself behind some large farm machinery or an Amish buggy during your travels on Lafayette County roads. Although they are likely to slow you down a little, just relax… you might just discover another stunning view or details that would otherwise whiz by your window. No trip to Wisconsin is complete without a stop for cheese…and we have some of the best around. From fresh squeaky curds to aged cheddar, and from artisan specialty cheeses to creamy spreads, you can find a mouthwatering selection of award-winning cheeses made right here by cheesemakers who are following a tradition that goes back over a century. A list of cheese factories is available at the Lafayette

hiddenvalleys.com | 91

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

ANTON’S SALOON, LLc “Home of the Macho Burger”

608.965.4881

New Diggings, WI County UW—Extension office by calling 608.776.4820. By shopping at local farmers markets, farm stands, or Amish family stores, you will be treated as a VIP, not just another number in a line of customers. And you will taste the difference in the flavor of fresh! Farmers markets are held in summer in several of our communities. As you drive through the countryside, you will see a number of fiber animals too—sheep, llama, and alpaca, along with a growing number of fiber artists. The Lafayette County Dairy Breakfast is held every year in June—Dairy Month. Where else can you get ice cream for breakfast? The breakfast features live music, good food, plenty of cheese, tours and demonstrations. Every year the host family designs a special day for people of all ages to experience life on a real dairy farm.

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

the public. Visitors may stop by and take a self-guided tour anytime. Guided tours can be arranged by calling 608.342.1850.

For more information on trails in Lafayette County, call 608.574.2911 or check online at tricountytrails.com.

n HEAD OUTDOORS FOR ADVENTURE

Hidden in the hills just outside Belmont, Lake Joy is a campground and 60-acre, spring-fed, no-wake lake where you can enjoy swimming, boating, and some of the best fishing in this part of the state. While in the Belmont area, you will undoubtedly see the giant “M.” UW–Platteville engineering students built it in 1937 as a symbol of the old School of Mines. It lays claim to being the largest “M” in the world, measuring 241-feet wide by 214-feet tall. Located on the very edge of Lafayette County, it features steps to climb to the top. The awesome view of the Driftless landscape of three states is worth the workout.

Come and play outdoors on the trails and waters of Lafayette County. The Cheese Country Trail is a 47-mile multi-use trail system that runs through South Wayne, Gratiot, Darlington, and Calamine in the heart of Lafayette County. The all-season trail follows the Pecatonica River along an abandoned railroad corridor, meandering through oak and maple woodlots, past farms and fields, and along gorgeous stands of native prairie wildflowers. It is open to bicyclists, horseback riders, ATV riders, snowmobilers, hikers, and cross-country skiers. Visitors can rent ATVs or snowmobiles in Darlington. The Pecatonica State Trail branches off the Cheese Country Trail in Calamine and proceeds west for 10 miles to Belmont. In addition, there is a network of local trails throughout the county available to both ATVers and snowmobilers.

And don’t forget the Lafayette County Fair every July. Local 4-H and FFA exhibits showcase the young talent of Lafayette County. Adults also get in the game, with food, fiber, and craft exhibits. Livestock shows, grandstand events and farm machinery exhibits round out a week of fun for the whole family. And what is a county fair without midway rides and food? Pioneer Farm, a UW–Platteville applied research farm located in northwest Lafayette County, provides real-life experiences for students and is open to

Your Hometown Community Bank

Residential, Commercial & Ag Construction Hometown Your HometownYour Community Bank Community Bank

608.965.3600

608.759.3600

www.bentonbank.com

92 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide www.bentonbank.com

Yellowstone Lake State Park is a beautiful 1,000-acre park with a 455-acre lake where you can enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and picnicking. In winter the park is open to ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY The 4,000-acre Yellowstone Wildlife Area next to Yellowstone Lake State Park offers many additional recreation opportunities, including horse trails and a shooting range. The Pecatonica River, (it means “place of many canoes”) flows through Lafayette County. It is the longest unrestricted flow of water in Wisconsin—over 90 miles of gentle canoeing. The river meanders in large loops back and forth across a beautiful valley next to scenic bluffs. Local wildlife welcomes you to share their habitat. It is not uncommon to see raccoon, muskrat, beaver, deer, giant blue heron, wood ducks, and a wide variety of birds. Some of the best fishing on the “Pec” is accessible only by canoe. Catfish, walleye, and the occasional northern are the main game fish. The Fever River in western Lafayette County is considered the best stream for smallmouth bass fishing in the area, with 14 miles of public fishing along the river and 30 on which to enjoy a pleasant, daylong canoe ride. n ENJOY SMALL-TOWN CULTURE Stroll into shops in historic downtowns, grab a meal at a locally-owned restaurant or pub, and don’t miss an opportunity to take in a concert by local musicians or a performance by local thespians. Every community is proud of the tradition of hosting local hometown festivals—they invite you to join them!

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

years in 2015! Activities include a chicken barbeque, a dance, and a big parade. There are midway rides, music, games, a craft fair, duck races, Benton’s famous pasty dinner, and firemen’s raffle. It all adds up to a great end-of-summer celebration.Find more information about Benton at bentonwi.us. Blanchardville celebrates its anniversary in August with a three-day festival that includes games, music, a big parade, and sharing lots of memories. Annual events include the Annual Father’s Day Chicken Barbeque and the Cruis’n Wisconsin Car, Truck and Cycle show on the second Sunday in July. The Pec Jam is a two-day music festival in August. The whole community celebrates a true Homecoming every fall with alumni from across the country returning for a Friday-night torchlight parade, a bonfire, a slightly wacky Saturday parade, and a football game. Keep up to date with Blanchardville at blanchardville.com. If you are looking for a place to learn about history and experience a new adventure, Darlington is your ticket. Main Street was designed like a New England town in the

mid-1800s, with a public square at the top and divided by a medium strip in the middle leading to the river. In the past, pearling from the river improved the wealth of the community members. Victorian framed structures grew and graced Main Street, signifying prosperity in a small town. Because Darlington is the County Seat of Lafayette County, the community built the historical Courthouse at the north end of the public square, where a veteran’s monument crowned the boulevard for many years. Across the street, veterans recently built a new memorial, with names of local veterans as a reminder of the continuing sacrifice in the name of American freedom. The park was renamed Veterans Park. In the summer, music is in the air when Tunes at Twilight

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Argyle events include the Annual Fish Fry on the last Saturday in June, a Fireman Mud Volleyball tournament the first Saturday in August, and a Holiday Craft Fair the first Saturday in December. For more information on these and other Argyle activities, check online at argylewi.org. Belmont celebrates with the “Brass & Brats” Music Festival, featuring performances by the Dubuque Colts Drum & Bugle Corp, the Colt Cadets, and other local musicians. The Belmont School and Community Fair (Wisconsin’s oldest and free) is held the second weekend after Labor Day. It includes a livestock show, carnival, kid’s games, horse show, parade, and dance. More Belmont information is always available at belmontwi.com. Benton is the place to be on Labor Day Weekend. The town overflows with people as families and friends return home for a weekend full of Labor Day traditions—119

hiddenvalleys.com | 93

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

ARGYLE

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov 608.543.3606 109 S. STATE ST. ARGYLE, WI 53504 goodfellasargylewi

Best little village by a damn site.

608.543.3113 • www.argylewi.org “Insuring Farm, Home, Auto, Commercial, Health, and Life”

Fish - Canoe the Pecatonica River 2 Boat Landings • 3 Fishing Piers June 1-2, 2018 Community Garage Sale June 30, 2018 79th Annual Fish Fry August 4, 2018 Fireman’s 28th Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament November 4, 2018 Yellowstone Lutheran Church Norwegian Dinner December 1, 2018 Christmas Craft Fair, Cookie Walk & Lion’s Club Christmas Tree Sale

(800) 454-1115 • (608) 543-3354

Yellowstone Golf Course ARGYLE

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yellowstonegolf.com

HISTORIC ARGYLE

Preserving the local history of Argyle... Boyhood Home of Fighting Bob LaFollette

historicargyle.org

Saxon House, Argyle

94 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Tollakson-Emery Memorials Beauty • Quality • Craftsmanship

Hwy. 78N, Argyle 608.543.3233

2913 13th St., Monroe 608.325.5115

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

BELMONT See the Calendar of Events at the back of this book, or visit our website for the latest events and celebrations.

phone 608.762.5142 | fax 608.762.5525 email: vilbelm@lagrant.net | belmontwi.com

Cushman's Greenhouse “The Growers With Roots”

Annuals • Perennials • Fall Mums • Poinsettias www.cushmansgreenhouse.com

(608) 762-5795

MOUND VIEW RV, INC.

Sales • Service • Parts & Accessories USH 151, Exit 26 - Turn West on Stone Hill Avenue 769 W. Liberty St., Belmont, WI (608) 762-6957 or toll free (866) 825-4858

Sand Berg Retreat

LLC.

27874 Jericho Rd., Platteville, WI For reservations and more, call or email 608.762.5569 or sandbergprairie@yousq.net The Perfect Getaway www.sandbergretreat.weebly.com

FIRST CAPITOL MINI MART, LLC 423 N. Mound Ave. (USH 151, Exit 26) Belmont, WI 53510 ATM Availa (608) 762-5187 ble Serving Pizza, Subs, Soft Serve Ice Cream Friendly Hometown Service

Open 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. 102 W. Mound View Ave., Belmont, Wisconsin (USH 151, Exit 26) (608) 762-5437

105 W. Commerce St. Belmont, WI (608) 762-5193

¸ Drink Specials ¸ Music Every Saturday Night ¸ Across from the Pecatonica Trail

McCarville's My Turn Pub Daily Specials Banquet Facilities Catering Services

Belmont

Open daily at 10:00 A.M. Across from the Pecatonica Trail (608) 762-6191

MASSAGE WORKS DAY SPA & SALON, LLC Haircuts, Styles, Colors, Massages, Skin Care, Pedicures, Manicures, Reflexology, Energy Work, Acupuncture, Chiropractic

218 S. Park Street BELMONT, WI 53510 Phone 608-762-5173 Fax 608-762-5948

“Manufacturer of Award Winning President Brie and Feta Cheeses”

424 David Drive, Belmont, WI 53510 608.762.5635 or 608.732.2785

www.massageworksdayspa.net hiddenvalleys.com | 95

LAFAYETTE COUNTY entertain visitors under the shade trees in the park. Continuing across the street, Johnson Public Library is side-by-side to the Carnegie Historical Society Library. Both institutions lead historians and genealogists to discover the history and wonder of Darlington and Lafayette County. The east end of Main Street is now the Festival Grounds, where the annual Cinco de Mayo, Canoe Festival, and the Christmas Parade are held. Behind the Festival Grounds, sports fans enjoy the state-of-the-art Sieg baseball field, which hosts the renowned Cal Ripken statewide events. The ongoing Driver House project on Main Street promises to preserve the arts and theater in the city. Bluebird Nest Nature Center offers information for birders. If you look to the west of Main Street, the Pecatonica Trail Campsite, also known as Collins Park, hugs the bank of the Pecatonica River, providing electricity to campers with access to numerous walking paths, bike paths, and ATV trails. Right next to Collins Park, the historic Train Depot offers visitor information offers authentic depot memorabilia. Read

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

more about Darlington Main Street at darlingtonwi.org and discover your ticket to a new adventure. Gratiot firefighters host fish boils the last Saturday in April and the first Saturday in November. The Annual Chicken Barbecue, always on the Labor Day, includes a great parade, music, and ball games. More information about Gratiot is available at gratiot.us. If you’re looking for a classic small-town 4th of July, look no further than Shullsburg. The entire town comes out for this oldfashioned tradition—the town’s oldest and largest celebration of the year. The festivities include a talent show, a softball tournament, a large parade, games, music, raffles, and crafts. The grand finale is always a spectacular display of fireworks! The Music in the Park concert series kick off every year after the 4th of July. The free concerts are held on Thursday evenings at Badger Park. Cheesefest—You knew there had to be a festival for cheese! This one is held every year the first weekend of October. It features free entertainment, hayrides, arts and crafts, and lots of food.

Photos by Anna Robbins

96 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

Small towns shine when Christmas rolls around and Shullburg is a classic example. “A Bit of Yesteryear Christmas” is held the weekend after Thanksgiving. Learn more at shullsburgwisconsin.org. Every summer in South Wayne, the community cuts loose with the Red Cracker Music Festival. The event continues to grow in size and distinction, attracting more and more people to the village during the final weekend in July. Wiota holds their Annual Firemen’s Celebration in July. The festivities include ball games, a 5K Color Run, live music, kid’s tractor pulls, carnival games, a talent show, a car show, capping off the weekend on Sunday with a parade and fireworks. Whether it is history, recreation, nature, or small-town peace and quiet that you’re looking for, we invite you to come and enjoy Lafayette County. There is no rush here; there are no stoplights to slow you down. You set the pace; relax and enjoy some time with us.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Land of History & Adventure | co.lafayette.wi.gov

Belmont Mound State Park

Yellowstone

151

Slateford

Leslie B

Yellowstone Lake State Park

Fayette Belmont

151

Calamine 23

F D

126

Argyle

Darlington 81

Blackhawk Memorial County Park

Meekers Grove Jenkinsville

a Pec

Benton

Lead Mine Etna

ple

White Oak

Lafayette County For visitor information, maps, lodging, dining, calendar of events and more visit co.lafayette.wi.gov

M D

Dunbarton

South Wayne B 78

ve Ri

Strawbridge

New Diggings

Wiota

Riverside Gratiot

Shullsburg

r Rive ica ton

Galena River

Woodford

Red Rock

Cuba City

Truman Ipswich

Blanchardville F

10 Miles

City Community US Highway State Highway County Road Natural Area State & County Park Class 1 Trout Stream River Bike Route ATV Trail Snowmobile Trail

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ADVENTURING INTO HIDDEN VALLEYS

Driving Tour

Adventuring into Hidden Valleys Driving Tour SO YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY TO WISCONSIN’S HIDDEN VALLEYS... Rolling down the wide highway in your RV, bicycles strapped to the back, motorboat towed behind, coolers ready to chill the catch of the day. Leaning into those curves on a shiny Harley, wind in your hair and sun on your back, best friends keeping pace just behind you on the open road. Cruising in the family sedan, Rover and kids in the back seat, portable DVD players, license plate scavenger hunt, and lots of snacks. “Are we there yet?” Pick your favorite way to travel and then head to the Hidden Valleys. This guide showcases the best of southwestern Wisconsin. Use the pull-out map at the center to plot out your own itinerary. Or if you’re looking for some insider travel tips, we invite you to follow one of our driving tours. Of course, you can set off from any location, but here are some “points of beginning” to get you started… FROM DUBUQUE, IOWA – GOING NORTH Take Highways 35 and 151 North. The drive north is an easy glide on the two-lane highway through an area featuring farms tucked into the valleys and the horizon punctuated by the steeples of country churches. You’re following Wisconsin’s Great River Road on Highway 35/61 north toward Dickeyville. Your first must-see stop is the Dickeyville Grotto. At Tennyson, take Highway 133 west to Wisconsin’s Catfish Capital, Potosi. Potosi’s main street seems to go forever with no intersections, and the community is literally wedged between two bluffs leading to the Mississippi River. You’ll get just close enough to the river to get a taste of what is to come. Continue west, and see if you can identify the crops in the fields (hint corn, soybeans, and alfalfa are common). And what do a railroad, an airport runway, and a river have in common? All are within about 150 yards of each other and set against the backdrop of a magnificent limestone cliff at the southern entrance to Cassville’s Riverside Park. Stick around, you may see barges navigating here through one of the river’s most narrow points. From Cassville,

you can follow our GREAT RIVER ROAD DRIVING TOUR. Or, take Highway 81 to Lancaster and follow a driving tour through the HEART OF HIDDEN VALLEYS. FROM DUBUQUE, IOWA – GOING EAST Take Highway 11 east toward Sinsinawa. Of course, you expect to see cattle grazing on the hillsides, but what about dinosaurs? Shortly after crossing Highway Z, check out the prehistoric creatures on the right side of the road. Continue on to the home base of 750 Dominican Sisters for more than 135 years. Sinsinawa Mound is your must-see stop. Well actually, it is also a must-taste, with such specialties in the bakery as cinnamon bread, caramel rolls, and Irish soda bread. At Hazel Green, follow Highway 11/80 north, and then continue on Highway 11 east to Benton. From Benton, join up with the CHEESE COUNTRY DRIVING TOUR, a tasty adventure through the countryside in Lafayette, Green, and Iowa counties. FROM MARQUETTE, IOWA / PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN Our Iowa Great Place is nestled between the Mississippi River and the towering bluffs of northeast Iowa. The streets are lined with 19th century buildings, antique and specialty shops, and restaurants. Enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, shopping, a winery, brewery, casino, and more. Our natural beauty is full of magic and wonder at Effigy Mounds National Monument, Pikes Peak

98 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

State Park, and Yellow River State Forest. Lodging options include campgrounds and cabins, hotels and motels, and quaint B&Bs. Join us for special events such as arts and crafts festivals, flea markets, classic car cruises, Old West reenactments, and beer and wine fests. For more information, contact McGregor/ Marquette Chamber of Commerce, 146 Main, PO Box 105, McGregor, IA 52157, or call 563.873.2186 or 800.896.0910. Visit the website at mcgreg-marq.org or email mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com. Right after crossing the Mississippi River, stop in at the Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center (staffed May through October but open year round). Follow Highway 18 to Bridgeport, and then take Highway 60 east for a journey along the banks of the Wisconsin River—railroad tracks to your right and limestone outcroppings and giant mounded bluffs to your left. Turn left on Highway 131 to Steuben, and follow the Kickapoo River to the north. Your must-see stop is on Highway 171 east at the scenic view overlooking Gays Mills —known as Apple Country—with fluffy white blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and shiny red apples in fall. Your must-taste opportunity is at any one of the apple orchards, with apples, apple cider, and even apple donuts! Return to Highway 131 North. Motorcyclists will welcome the winding curves, and all

ADVENTURING INTO HIDDEN VALLEYS

Driving Tour

travelers will enjoy the gentle warm glow of the setting sun on the bluffs to the east. Travel north to experience the Bikes and Berries Driving Tour. FROM LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN Your official must-see stop in La Crosse is Grandad Bluff. From 90 east, take the Highway 16 exit west, and travel south on Losey Boulevard. Turn left on Main Street and wind your way up the bluff. From the parking area it is a quick walk to the top. Carry in a picnic lunch and enjoy the view from the shelter. On your way back down, turn right on Highway F (right in front of the Alpine Inn), and then go left on Highway 33 for about two miles to the scenic overlook of the Coulee Region—worth a stop day or night. Further east, you may have to pause for an impromptu “cow crossing” when the herd ambles home for evening milking. In addition to lots of farms and fields, you’ll start to spot signs for Amish businesses offering furniture, bakery, candy, rugs, and baskets. You might even witness a barn raising along the way. In Cashton (truly a rural community with a farm implement dealer right downtown), you can either proceed to the BIKES AND BERRIES DRIVING TOUR or the LAKES, TRAILS, AND STREAMS DRIVING TOUR offering spectacular scenery in Monroe, Juneau, and Vernon Counties. FROM MADISON, WISCONSIN – GOING SOUTH Follow Highway 14 south toward Fitchburg, go west on Highway 92 to Brooklyn. Turn left on Highway 104, which is a straight drive south to Brodhead, and the beginning of the CHEESE COUNTRY DRIVING TOUR. FROM MADISON, WISCONSIN - GOING WEST Follow Highway 18/151 west to Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of Wisconsin. Continue west toward Dodgeville. Or proceed a bit further on Highway 18 to our HEART OF HIDDEN VALLEYS DRIVING TOUR looping through Richland, Crawford, and Grant counties. And our new tour helps you discover the best of WINERIES AND VINEYARD TOUR. Be sure to taste-test the luscious wines and beers of the Hidden Valleys area. Hidden Valleys—nine counties, hundreds of fun things to see and do, and thousands of memories waiting to be made.

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THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Driving Tour

The Great River Road Driving Tour Eclectic shopping, lodging, and restaurants are balanced by great outdoor recreation, including cave tours, hiking, and riverboat rides. Effigy Mounds National Monument is just north of Marquette on the GRR, while Pikes Peak State Park is only a few miles south of McGregor, also on the GRR. mcgreg-marq.org.

elcome to the GREAT RIVER ROAD, designated one of America’s Scenic Byways. The 250-mile length of the Wisconsin Corridor, from Kieler to Prescott, invites the traveler to follow the white signs displaying a green pilot’s wheel with the words “Great River Road.” Crossing into Wisconsin from either Illinois or Iowa, we begin our trip in DICKEYVILLE. There, stop at the Grotto, built by Father Mattias Werneus in 1925. At POTOSI/TENNYSON, visit Passage Thru Time Museum, Great River Road Museum of Contemporary Art, and Potosi Brewery and National Brewery Museum. Continue on Highway 133 (The Great River Road). Head into CASSVILLE, home of the first governor of Wisconsin, Governor Nelson Dewey. Travel County VV to visit Nelson Dewey State Park and Stonefield Historic Site, featuring attractions from days past.

Cross back to Wisconsin and get back on the GRR (Highway 35). Head north and enjoy the sight of the beautiful Mississippi River to your left. Watch for U.S. Lock and Dam #9 about three miles south of LYNXVILLE. Look to the skies to see the eagles as they float high above near bluff tops. Our next stop is FERRYVILLE. Boasted as “A Sportsman’s Paradise,” one can fish, hunt, camp, or just enjoy the view.

Galesville

Farther on, we come to the Lansing Bridge, which allows one to cross the river into Iowa. The next nearest bridge is south at Prairie du Chien or north at La Crosse.

DE SOTO is our next destination. De Soto is unique in that its city’s limits are divided into Crawford and Vernon Counties. Onward to VICTORY, site of the last battle of the Blackhawk Indians, known as the Battle of Bad Axe.

PORT ANDREW

Following the familiar GRR pilot’s wheel, continue on to explore GLEN HAVEN, BAGLEY, the Wyalusing settlement and Wyalusing Park. Travel north on County C, cross over the Great River Road Commemorative Bridge, and turn left onto Highway 18 toward Prairie du Chien. PRAIRIE DU CHIEN dates back to 1689, influenced by the French settlers. During summer, Villa Louis plays host to interesting historical events, and in June, at Feriole Island, Prairie Villa Rendezvous recreates the fur trading era of the 1840s. Just two miles across the Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien is MARQUETTE and MCGREGOR, Iowa. Located on the Iowa Great River Road, these historic towns are nestled among the bluffs and bordered by the mighty Mississippi. With so many great things to offer, Marquette and McGregor boast a winery, brewery, and riverboat casino; a beautiful historic Main Street in McGregor; and a quaint village atmosphere in Marquette.

BLUE RIVER BOSCOBEL

Wauzeeka

Woodman

BRIDGEPORT

TO THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI Balltown Dubuque Dyersville

100 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD At GENOA, view the U.S. Lock and Dam #8, and three miles north, get a view of the river at Spring Coulee Scenic Overlook. Back on the road, you travel through STODDARD on to LA CROSSE. Highway 35 takes you downtown to State Street. Turn left there to get a close look at the river in Riverside Park. On the north side of the city is ONALASKA. While there, be sure to visit “Sunny,” the largest sunfish in the world, overlooking Lake Onalaska. Another must-see is the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Great River State Bicycle Trail begins here and connects with three other state trails for over 101 miles of biking adventure. Using the green pilot’s wheel as your guide, continue your travels through PRESCOTT, MIDWAY, and HOLMEN. Each is a unique community with something different to interest you. Thank you for traveling with me on your exciting journey on WISCONSIN’S GREAT RIVER ROAD. Although you have not reached the end of the road, as your Hidden Valleys escort, I must say goodbye. But don’t stop here. Continue your travels through Indianhead Country, enjoying the sights of green forests, clear water lakes, and finally Lake Superior. Have fun! THE LOWER WISCONSIN RIVER ROAD From the Mighty Mississippi to the Empire Prairie, Wisconsin’s 100-mile Scenic Byway 60 follows the graceful curves of the LOWER WISCONSIN RIVER. It sparkles by sunny day or starry night, with the wild beauty of nature left to its own devices for thousands and thousands of years. In constant flux, the “river of a thousand isles” continuously sculpts its sandbars, shifts its channels, varies its flows, and repaints its colors, according to the whims of the weather gods.

ORION

GOTHAM LONE ROCK

MUSCODA SPRING GREEN

Driving Tour

Start your trip at PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, which sits at the juncture of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. As the oldest community on the Upper Mississippi, Prairie du Chien evokes ghosts of voyageurs, settlers, and Native Americans. At the intersection of the Great River Road (Highways 18 and 35), a National Scenic Byway, and Highway 60 lies BRIDGEPORT. It had one of the earliest toll bridges on the Wisconsin River. Built in 1857, it operated until the 1920s as a railroad shipping point for livestock. BOSCOBEL, Italian for “beautiful woods,” is the birthplace of the Gideon Bible, namely at the historic stone Boscobel Hotel. Its main street features period architecture with a frontier edge. On Saturdays or by appointment, visit the Boscobel Depot Museum featuring displays of Rural America, and attend the famer’s market. BLUE RIVER, in the “heart of the lower riverway,” was first a railroad stop that became a cattle town and shipping center for livestock. Today it hosts an Autumn Fest for all ages in late August, two boat landings on County Rd T in town, and a mile east of the village at Jones Lake off Highway 133. PORT ANDREW, described as a “bustling river town” by mid-1800 travelers, was one of the earliest settlements in Richland County. Captain Thomas Andrew built the house still on a hill looking down into one of the deepest parts of the river. Here remains a pleasant wayside and a public access site to the river.

MUSCODA is the Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin, just south of the river in Grant County. It hosts an annual midMay festival in homage to the fungus, and a campground on the Lower River in Victora Riverside Park, which offers access to miles of trails and thousands of acres of public land. ORION is an unincorporated hamlet that lies north and west of the Muscoda bridge. Originally named Richmond, it served as the first seat of Richland County, operating a ferry across the river until the first bridge was built in 1870. GOTHAM lies north of the river where Highway 14 joins Highway 60, reconnecting the traveler with the waterside road leading onto one of its most lovely stretches of bends, rises, and river views. LONE ROCK is named for a tall finger of sandstone on the river’s north bank that was used as a landmark for river travelers. It offers scenic parks and recreational opportunities that include fishing, hunting, canoeing, and biking along the Pine River Bike Trail. SPRING GREEN is equal parts artists’ community and down-to-earth farm town. The natural beauty of the river valley surrounds its neighborhoods’ open space and open people. Spring Green is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, American Players Theater, and House on the Rock. The landscape and the people who have settled here have nurtured the creative spirit of man and nature.

FROM THE EMPIRE PRAIRIE SAUK CITY, Wisconsin’s oldest village, is

LODI PRAIRIE DU SAC SAUK CITY

the home to the last eastern Indian battle. Chief Black Hawk’s unique strategies and courage are commemorated. July brings Polka on the Riverway. PRAIRIE DU SAC was named by French fur traders after the Sac Indians before it was settled by Yankees and, later, Swiss. It is home to wintering American bald eagles, and the Wisconsin Cow Chip Throw. LODI means “peaceful valley.” Here the Ice Age Trail beckons the curious hiker and the very-ancient-history buff. The area also boasts trout streams, beautiful parks, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 9-hole golf course. WISCONSIN

SCENIC

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THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Driving Tour

800.896.0910 www.mcgreg-marq.org mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com 146 Main St. | P.O. Box 105 | McGregor, IA 52157

Past 100 Years Antiques Antiques-Oddtiques-Collectiques

BUY-SELL-TRADE UPHOLSTERY BUY GOLD & SILVER 310 Main St. McGregor, IA 52157 Marty Kahler McGregor, Iowa 52157

563.873.3512

sadies

sweet shop 126 Main Street McGregor, IA

Bed & Breakfast Box 338•McGregor, IA 52157

1-800-496-8238 HIGHWAY 18 W MARQUETTE, IA © 2017 Casino Queen, Inc. Promotion valid only on the dates listed above. Must be 21 to enter the casino. No cash value. Does not include gratuity. Rules and promotions may vary. Complete rules and eligibility for promotions are available upon request. Management reserves the right to change or cancel events and promotions at any time without prior notification. Gambling a problem? There is help. And hope. Call 1-800-BETS-OFF.

“The Finest Smoked Fish in the World”

Award Winning Home - Baked Pies Chocolates Old Fashion Candies

Three Private Suites and a Log Cabin Includes Full Breakfast

563.873.2057

littleswitzerlandinn.com Historic Mississippi River Town

• Catfish, Alligator & Snapping Turtle Jerky • Homemade Hickory Smoked Sausage & Jerkies • Fresh & Frozen Fish & Seafood • Fresh Wisconsin Cheese

The Area’s Most Unique Shop

608-326-4719

www.valleyfishmarketpdc.com valleyfishmarket@gmail.com

304 S Prairie St, Prairie du Chien

Located 1 block east of the Information Center just across the Mississippi River Bridge from Iowa

102 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Driving Tour

Experience Illinois, Iowa & Wisconsin

WITHOUT BOUNDARIES www.tristatetourism.com

Safe Landing Motel

600 Star Brewery Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563 583-6100

329 North Main Street

(Hwy 35-The Great River Road)

Stoddard, WI 54658

608.457.2122

www.safelandingmotel.com

Steaks Seafood Pastas Salad Bar Appetizers Pizza The Barn Restaurant Prairie du Chien, WI

608-326-4941

Located just 3 miles north of Prairie du Chien on County K

J&R Military Surplus

Tastings daily, tours upon request Lunch weekdays 11am to 2 pm Appetizers daily. 11am to close Live evening entertainment Thursday - Sunday

Hidden Valleys Guide

Tri-Cities Antiques 211 Edgar St. • (563) 873-2046

C A

204 North St. • (563) 873- 9664

THE OLD TIME SHOPPE

Pra chec

Marquette, Iowa

BARR HOUSE ANTIQUES & GIFTS SCHOOLHOUSE MALL

McGregor, Iowa

140-142 Main St. • (563) 873-3670 Trout & Bass Fishing

Randy Kirking | 563.880.7369 randykirking@gmail.com

PAST 100 YEARS

310 Main St. • (563) 873-3512

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin CHECK’S ANTIQUES

115 S. Dousman St. • (608) 326-6014

12214 Highway 35 De Soto, WI 54624 888.942.6644 rushcreekrealty.com

Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Holidays Hwy. 35, De Soto, WI 54624 (608) 648-2112 www.jrmilitarysurplus.com Marquette Photo by Randy Kirking

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THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Driving Tour

104 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

BIKES AND BERRIES Bikes and Berries Driving Tour Driving Tour | gomonroecounty.com

“Bikes and berries” is the theme as you drive through this unglaciated area. Travel through cranberry country and enjoy the spectacular wildlife. More than 3,700 acres dot the countryside in the northern part of the county. Enjoy one of our seven museums, the Amish countryside, Fort McCoy, the Wegner Grotto, and beautiful rolling hills as you travel through the area. Check out the world’s largest bicycle in Sparta. The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail and the La Crosse River Bike Trail offer some off-the-road tours you’re sure to enjoy. Come and explore our class 1 trout streams, public hunting, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking opportunities. The tiny, bustling community of WARRENS welcomes visitors in a big way. Warrens is the “cranberry capital of Wisconsin.” Cranberry marshes, sphagnum moss beds, and great blue heron nesting spots are all things to watch for as you drive through this area. Pick up an area map at any of the Warrens businesses to help you find your way around. Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center, 204 Main Street, 608.378.4878, is an entity dedicated to the cranberry industry in Wisconsin. Learn all about the challenges of growing cranberries, and their history in Wisconsin. Gift shop—featuring cranberry products, glassware, books, gifts, and bakery. Warrens offers restaurants for your dining pleasure and an array of unique shopping experiences, featuring the work of many local artisans. The Cranberry Festival, held each September, features more than 800 art and craft booths, 350 antique and flea market booths and 100 farmers market booths. The annual festival brings more than 100,000 visitors to the area each fall.

McMullen Memorial County Park offers excellent camping opportunities and a small lake for fishing and swimming. The 71site park, situated on 1,000 forested acres, also offers a three-quarter-mile hiking trail around the bluff and wetlands area. Travel south on County O out of Warrens, four miles to Highway 12. Turn left (south) on Highway 12 and travel four miles to Highway 21 in Tomah. TOMAH Crossroads for west-central Wisconsin, offering recreation and convenience! Tomah’s location is midway between the Twin Cities and Milwaukee, where the state’s interstate system (I-90 and I-94) divides. Tomah boasts small-town charm with plenty of shopping including antiques, Amish and cranberry goods, attractions, over 635 motel rooms, area campgrounds, entertainment opportunities, indoor and outdoor water parks, and several area restaurants. Whether you’re interested in shopping for antiques, arts and crafts; taking our Amish and Cranberry Country self-guided driving tours; golfing at one of our three area courses; silent sports such as hiking, biking, or canoeing; summer festivals or the tractor pull; fall cranberry festival and autumn color tours; or winter activities, like snowmobiling and skiing, you’ll find the Tomah area has a variety of annual activities. Our community is family-friendly where you can experience over 200 acres of green space in one of our ten city parks or walk the Tomah Recreation Trail, which meanders four miles through many city parks.

Five WWII buildings depict a soldier’s life in the 1940s. The History Center highlights Fort McCoy’s role in the armed forces since 1909. Pine View Recreation Area has a beach, boat rentals, campsites, miniature golf and fishing. The Whitetail Ridge Recreation Area has facilities for downhill and crosscountry skiing, a snow tubing slope, snowmobile trails and a chalet. They have rentals, and offer ski lessons. 800.531.4703. Continue west on Highway 21, seven miles into Sparta. Follow Highway 21 onto Montgomery Street. At the first stop sign. Turn left (south) on to Water Street at the first stop light. Go several blocks to Main Street. Turn right on Main Street and go to the intersection of Main and Court.

Tomah is truly Wisconsin’s Cranberry Country, and a great place to plan your next trip in west-central Wisconsin.

SPARTA has the only corner in the State of Wisconsin that has four State Historical Markers, designating the importance of the buildings’ history—The U.S. Post Office, the Sparta Free Library, the Monroe County Courthouse, and the Masonic Temple.

Area attractions include The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum, Tomah Area Historical Society Museum, Humbird Cheese Mart, and the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, located just outside of Tomah.

The Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum and the Monroe County Local History Room are housed in the Monroe County Museum Complex Building, also known as the Masonic Temple.

Take Highway 21 west from Tomah, nine miles.

This museum has three permanent exhibits exploring the bicycle revolution, local aviation history, and the life of Mercury 7 Astronaut Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton. Exhibits include antique and vintage bicycles, a full-scale home built

FORT MCCOY, situated between Tomah and Sparta, on Highway 21, has a World War II Commemorative Area, Historical Center, and a Military Equipment Park. Admission is free.

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BIKES AND BERRIES Pietenpol airplane, and one of Deke’s original astronaut space suits. The Kid’s Area is filled with building blocks, books to read, an interactive quiz wall, and a loft to fly paper gliders from. The Local History Room contains the pioneer history of the area, illustrating farming, industry, and life in a typical home in years gone by. It also has a state-of-the-art research room, including microfilm copies of all area newspapers, state and federal census info, as well as a cemetery card file. Go one block east back to Water Street. Turn right (south) and continue to the second stop light on Wisconsin Street (Highway 16). Turn left (east) and then right immediately into the first driveway. Sparta is home to the “world’s largest bicycle.” The fiberglass structure stands 30 feet tall, and the rider, “Ben Bikin’,” will speak to you when you stop by. A great photo opportunity. Sparta celebrates “Butterfest” the second weekend in June. A three-day event dedicated to the rich dairy industry in the area, it includes a carnival, flea market, quilt

Driving Tour | gomonroecounty.com

show, and softball tournaments. It features live family entertainment and a huge parade on Sunday.

Little Falls Railroad and Doll Museum. More than 2,000 dolls grace the museum, which also includes a gift shop.

Drive back up to Highway 16 (Wisconsin Street). Turn right (east). Turn around when you can and head west on Highway 16 (Wisconsin Street) to Highway 27 (Black River Street) Turn right on Highway 27 (north). Go nine miles. Turn left onto Highway 71. Go one-half mile. Turn left into the driveway.

The Railroad Museum serves as a reference library for over 1,000 books and magazines dating back 100 years. You’ll find a telegrapher’s office, lanterns, and a gallery of railroad art. The campus includes a picnic shelter, outdoor garden railroad, a caboose tour, children’s train rides, and a miniature train on which children may play.

CATARACT is home to the Wegner Grotto, a grassroots art environment. This garden park includes concrete structures decorated with a brilliant mosaic of shattered glass and broken crockery, including an American flag, a 50th anniversary cake, a prayer garden, a glass church, and a peace monument.

Exit back onto Highway II and turn right (west). Go one mile. Turn left on Highway B. Go 10 miles back into Sparta. Turn right at the first stop light onto Montgomery Street. Travel several blocks to the next stop light. Turn left (south) onto Highway 27 (Black River Street). Travel 15 miles to Highway 33 in Cashton.

Turn right (east) onto Highway 71. Go to the first stop sign at Highway 27. Turn left (north) into Cataract, about two miles. Turn right onto County Highway B. Travel one mile. Turn left onto Highway II. Go one mile and look for the caboose.

CASHTON sits atop a scenic hill, and is home to Wisconsin’s largest Amish settlement. Drive through the beautiful countryside yourself or take an Amish tour. You’ll find unique shops, a cheese factory, and plenty of friendly eateries in this cozy town. Follow Highway 33 east 10 miles to Ontario and Wildcat Mountain State Park.

A magical experience awaits you in the

Drive through Wildcat Mountain State Park. High bluffs and narrow valleys make this a spectacular scenic area. Return to Highway 33. Turn right (west) and travel two miles to Highway 131. Turn right on Highway 131 (north) and go 11 miles into the Village of Wilton. The communities of NORWALK, WILTON and KENDALL parallel the Elroy-Sparta National Bike Trail. Norwalk boasts a beautiful community park that offers relaxation and camping. Wilton is a charming community. It offers several restaurants, a small motel, camping, and several bed and breakfasts. It is considered the heart of the trail. Trail headquarters to the Elroy-Sparta Trail is the restored Kendall Depot. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic Baraboo River which flows through the village park in Kendall. Turn right onto Highway 71/Highway 131 and travel four miles to Highway 131, turn left (north) and travel 10 miles back into the community of Tomah. Take a leisurely auto tour and enjoy all that Monroe County has to offer.

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2018 Calendar of Events | JANUARY—FEBRUARY Hidden Valleys makes every attempt to have current and correct information. Please utilize the contact information to verify an event has not been cancelled or changed.

26-31 | Seasons of the Sugar River |

JANUARY

16 | Lions Club Bingo | Cashton, WI | Monroe

27 | Jane Night | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County |

County | Community Hall | 608.654.7828

Folklore Village | 6:30– 10:30 pm | Potluck dancing, games & music celebrating founder Jane Farwell | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

1-31 | Gallery Exhibit | Monroe, WI | Green Coun-

20 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon

ty | Monroe Clinic Hospital | Wisconsin Landscapes by Williams & Musical Abstractions by Goodspeed | 608.325.5700 | monroeartscenter.com

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

20 | Indoor Market on the Square |

2 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green

20 | Winter Extravaganza | Fort McCoy, WI |

Monroe County | Whitetail Ridge Ski Area | Snow Pile Dig, Slalom race, kids’ obstacle course, rail jam, raffle prizes. | 608.388.3200 | mccoy.armymwr.com/us/mccoy

28 | Fisheree-Chickeree | Monticello, WI

20 | Bingo Night | Sparta, WI | Monroe County |

Sparta Eagles Club, Hwy. 21 | 6 - 9 pm | 4-H fundraiser Concessions & BBQ | 608.269.8722

25 thru Dec 13 | Community Supper |

| Green County | Lake Montesian | Fishing contest & chicken BBQ | monticello-wi.com

30 thru Dec 11 | Community Supper | New

1-28 | Selections | Monroe, WI | Green

1-28 | Seasons of the Sugar River |

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10 | Show Shoe Hike

Hall | 608.487.2834

3 | Bowling Tournament | Hustler, WI | Juneau

10 | Mardi Gras | Monroe, WI | Green County | St

County | Hooterbowl, 205 South St, | Prizes. Benefit local charity. | 608.562.3555 | newlisbonchamber.com

Victor School | 5 pm | Benefit for the school with food, spirits & entertainment | stvictormonroe.org

10 | Sleigh Ride in the Park | Bosco-

3 | St. Mary’s Sportsmen’s Club Wild Game Feed | Cashton, WI | Monroe County | Community

17 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 -8 pm | 608.648.2127

17 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon

10 | EMS Annual Fundraiser | Shullsburg, WI

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.64.2127

| Lafayette County | Wheel Inn, 300 WI-11 | Annual fundraiser | 608.574.7425

17-18 | Cabin Fever Weekend | Marquette, IA |

10 | VFW Steak Feed | Benton, WI | Lafayette

Clayton County | Eagles Landing Winery | 10 am – 5 pm | Warmed wine. Special discounts. Register for a gift certificate. | 563.873.1905

6 | First Tuesday Open Mic | Dodgeville, WI |

County | VFW Hall | 4:30 – 7 pm

10-11 | Valentine’s Weekend Wine & Chocolates | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County | Burr

Oak Winery, N5873 Hwy 12 & 16 | 11 am – 5 pm | Complimentary chocolates, wine tastings | 608.562.5271 | burroakwinery.com

6 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green

11 | Annual Yellowstone Lake Fish-a-ree |

Argyle, WI | Lafayette County | Yellowstone Lake State

20 | BINGO| New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County | City

Park

7 | Friends of the Library Meeting | Hillsboro,

Hall Community Room, 232 Pleasant St | 6 - 8 pm | Cash prizes, snacks & beverages. Family friendly | 608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

WI | Vernon County | Hillsboro Public Library | 819 High Avenue | 5:30 pm | 608.489.2192

20 | Squeezebox Night | Monroe, WI

Monroe, WI | Green County | Monroe Clinic Hospital | 608.325.5700 | monroeartscenter.com

16 | Cassville Conservation Club Fish Fry

23 | Story Time | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County |

9 | Story Time | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County |

Hillsboro Public Library | 819 High Avenue | 10:30 11:15 am | ages birth-preschool | 608.489.2192

17 | Soup & Sandwich Supper | Benton, WI |

Lafayette County | St. Patrick’s Parish | 4:30 – 7 pm

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3 | David Landau | Monroe, WI | Green

11 | Farm Toy Show | Monroe, WI | Green

County | Monroe HS, 1600-26th St | 9 am-3 pm | 608.214.4817

23-24 | Villa Louis Eagle Appreciation Weekend | Prairie du Chien, WI | Crawford County

3 | Monroe City Band | Monroe, WI | Green

15 | Senior Drop-In | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

3 | WILD Arts | Necedah, WI | Juneau County

16-18 | Spring Swedish Dance & Music Weekend | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County | Folklore

24 | Visit the Fort Crawford Museum | Prairie

3 | Wild Game Dinner | Seneca, WI | Crawford

24 | Iroquois Raised Beading Workshop with Karen An Hoffman | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County |

3 | Historical Society Spring Craft Show |

Folklore Village | 9 am - 5:30 pm | Create a pincushion. Pre-registration required | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

15 | Junior Duck Stamp Entries Due |

Village | Special guests from Sweden teaching music & dance of Föllinge and Jämtland. Preregistration required | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

4 | Vets Honor Roll Annual Dance | Richland

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

17 | Port of Potosi Annual Breweriana Collectors Show | Potosi, WI | Grant County | STS

Andrew Thomas School | 9 am- 3 pm | Buy, sell, trade old beer & brewery items | 608.642.0321 or 608.763.2042 | portofpotosi@gmail.com

17 | St Patrick’s Day Parade | Monroe, WI | Green County | 5:17 pm | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

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31 | Easter Egg Hunt | Ontario, WI |

6–27 | Lafayette County Races | Darlington,

Vernon County | Ontario Community Hall | 9:30 am | 608.489.3336 | Facebook: Ontario Community Club

31 | Easter Egg Hunt | New Lisbon, WI |

Juneau County | N8242 6th Ave | 10 am | 608.427.6768

7 | Potosi Brewing Company Annual Banquet | Potosi, WI | Grant County | Holiday Gardens

23 | Story Time | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

31 | Easter Egg Hunt | Camp Douglas, WI | Juneau

County | Nelson Park | 11 am | 10:30 am | Bring basket | 608.343.0588 | campdouglaswi.com

Event Center |5 - 9 pm | 608.763.4002 ext. 109 | potosibrewery.com

31 | 40th Annual Easter Egg Hunt | Necedah,

7 | WILD Arts | Necedah, WI | Juneau County

WI | Juneau County | Veterans Memorial Hall, Hwy 21 | 10 am | Children Grade 3 & younger play games, win prizes. | 608.565.2261 | Discover Necedah on facebook.com

7 | Spring Craft Show | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau

31 | Antique Toy Show | Tomah, WI | Monroe

County | New Lisbon School, 500 S Forest St | 9 am –

County | Recreation Park, 1625 Butts Ave | 9 am - 3 pm | Farm toys, trucks, cars, & antique replicas of combines, threshers. Adults: $2; ages 13-17: $1. 12 & Under: FREE

7-8 | Home & Business Expo |

24 l Annual Garden Expo | Richland Center,

APRIL

TBD | Big Top Chautauqua | Richland Center,

WI | Richland County | Come early for dinner. | 608.647.4949 | nhsrcwi.org

24 | Swiss Movie Night

County | Monroe Clinic Hospital | There’s More To Art Than Meets the Eye | 608.325.5700 | monroeartscenter.com

24 | Breakfast with the Easter Bunny |

1-30 | Gallery Exhibit | Monroe, WI | Green

3 | Election Day Pasty & Chicken “N” Biscuit Supper | Hazel Green, WI | Lafayette County |

25 | Chicken Shoot | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

County | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 9 am – 4 pm | 608.543.3986

United Methodist Church, 1610 19th Street | 4 - 7 pm | 608.854.2742

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2018 Calendar of Events | APRIL—MAY 17 | Squeezebox Night | Monroe, WI

25 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital |

2 | Friends of the Library Meeting | Hillsboro,

WI | Vernon County | Hillsboro Public Library | 819 High Ave. | 5:30 pm | 608.489.2192

25 | St. Joseph’s Salad Luncheon | Hillsboro,

18 | Six Guitars | Monroe, WI | Green County |

Monroe Arts Center, 1315-11th St | 7:30 pm | Chase Padgett | 608.325.5700 | monroeartscenter.com

20-21, 27-28 | Spring Open Houses | Tomah,

25 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital |

2 thru October 31 | Farmers’ Market |

21 | Indoor Market on the Square |

May 2-October 31 | Tomah Farmers Market

20-22 | English Country Dance & Music Weekend | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County | Folklore

Crawford County | Hoffman Hall, 1600 S Wacouta Ave | 9 am - 4 pm | 608.326.7207

28 | Spring Fish Boil Dinner | Brodhead, WI | Green County | Congregational UCC, 201 E. 23rd St | 4:30 - 7 pm | 608.897.2917

21 | Indoor Flea Market | Prairie du Chien, WI |

2 – 30 | Open Shoots | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

WI | Monroe County | Shop Tomah Stores | Unique specialty stores with specials & door prizes in each store. | 608.372.2166

Village | Dance & music workshops. Pre-registration required | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

28 | Benton City Wide Garage Sales | Benton,

Green County | Wine walk & shopping | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

WI | Lafayette County | City Wide | 8 am – 4 pm

3 | Library Tea & Euchre Party |

29 | Chicken Shoot | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

21 | Spring Fling Craft & Gift Show | Mauston,

MAY

1 | First Tuesday Open Mic | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa

4–25 | Lafayette County Races | Darlington,

21 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

21 | A Very Sugar River Earth Day | Albany, WI | Green County | Vendors, kid-friendly activities, plant give-away, information booths.

County | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 9 am – 4 pm | 608.543.3986

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5 | PorkFest & Pork School | Mauston, WI |

18–19 | Rummage Along the River | Ferryville,

12 | Cassville FFA Plant Sale | Cassville, WI |

19 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon

Grant County | Cassville High School, 715 E Amelia St, Greenhouse | 8 am | 608.725.5116 | Cassville.org

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 -8 pm | 608.648.2127

12 | Cinco de Mayo & Fiesta Latina | Dar-

Juneau County | Wisconsin River Meats, N5340 Co Rd HH | 10 am – 3 pm | 608.847.7413 | wisconsinrivermeats.com

5 | Annual Rose Delivery Day | Argyle, WI |

County | Local merchants | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

Lafayette County | Argyle Lion’s Club | Orders needed 1 week in advance | 608.214.5894

5 - 6 | YFC Bloody Lake Rendezvous |

Woodford, WI | Lafayette County| Blackhawk County Park

New Glarus Chamber, 418 Railroad St | 11 am - 1 pm | Bike safety training & fun for kids | 800.527.6838 | swisstown.com

5–26 | Farmers Market | Darlington, WI |

12 | Journey Through Time |

Lafayette County | Darlington Festival Grounds | 8 am – noon | Saturday mornings thru October | 608.776.3067

Prairie du Chien, WI | Crawford County | 10 am – 5 pm | Free event w/guided tours of historic sites & family activities. Cannon firing demos at Fort Crawford Museum | 608.412.1995

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27 | Annual Dance | Belmont, WI | Lafayette

1-2 | Annual Community-Wide Garage Sales

County | Belmont Fire Station | 9 pm – 1 am | 608.762.5495 | belmontwi.com

1-2 | Cassville City Wide Garage Sales |

27 | American Legion Spring Fling |

Cassville, WI | Grant County | 8 am | 608.725.5855 | Cassville.org

Grant County | 608.943.6917

27 | Chicken Shoot | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

1-2 | Fun Fest | Fennimore, WI | Grant County |

County | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 9 am – 4 pm | 608.543.3986

Hwy 18 & Bronson Blvd | 5 pm – Midnight | 608.485.0820 | fennimore.com

1-3 | Gypsy | Monroe, WI | Green County | Monroe

20 | Pancake Breakfast | Brodhead, WI | Green

County | Brodhead Airport | Plane rides | eaa431.org |

28 | Memorial Day Parade | Albany, WI | Green

20 | Our Savior’s Lutheran Church | Westby,

County | Sponsored by McDermett-Steindorf American Legion

1-8 | WI Regional Arts | Monroe, WI | Green

28 | Memorial Day Program | Ontario, WI |

25-27 | Music Fest | New Glarus, WI | Green

Vernon County | Ontario Community Hall | 10 am | 608.337.4763

County | Music, inflatable’s | ngmusicfest.com

28 | Memorial Day Parade | Hillsboro, WI |

25-28 | Yesteryear’s Weekend | Albany, WI |

Vernon County | 10:30 am | 608.489.2280 | hillsborowi.com

Green County | Music, carnival, chicken BBQ, parade, duck races | albanywi.org

29 | Tuesday Evening Trap Shooting | Benton,

WI | Lafayette County | Izaak Walton League of America Clubhouse 6550 County Road I | 5 pm | 25 birds/$3 | 608.732.4824

2 | Potluck & Barn Dance | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa

2 | Summer Kick Off | Monroe, WI | Green County

Memorial Weekend - Labor Day| Fennimore

| 10 am-1 pm | Fun for kids & families | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

2 | Pyrotechnics Demonstration |

2 | Veteran’s Memorial Dance | Hazel Green, WI

JUNE

| Lafayette County | 6 pm | Raffle, auction, & dance | 608.854.2953

1 | Platteville Annual Chamber Golf Outing

1-2 | Argyle Community Garage Sales | Argyle, WI | Lafayette County | 608.543.3525

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14 | Ten Grand in Your Hand | Monroe, WI

2 & 16 | Argyle Outdoor Market | Argyle, WI |

7, 14, 21, 28 | Hamburgers in the Park |

14-17 | Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous |

Lafayette County | 8 am – Noon | Many Vendors | 608.543.3113

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Country Coon-Prairie Worship Service | Westby, WI | Vernon County | 7 pm | 608.634.3412

2–30 | Farmers Market | Darlington, WI |

8 | Night in the Park | Cassville, WI | Grant County

Lafayette County | Darlington Festival Grounds | 8 am – noon | Saturday mornings thru October | 608.776.3067

| Volunteer Park, Amelia St | 6 pm | 608.725.5855 | Cassville.org

4 | Monroe City Band Concert | Monroe, WI |

Theatre Guild, 910-16th Ave | Performance on memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee | 608.325.1111 | monroetheatre.com

Green County | Twining Park, 425-14th Ave | 7:30 pm | Series: Good vs. Evil | cityofmonroe.org

8-10 | Gypsy | Monroe, WI | Green County | Monroe

8-10 | Roger Bright Memorial Polka Fest |

15-17 | Wisconsin State High School Rodeo Finals | Richland Center, WI | Richland County |

New Glarus, WI | Green County | Music | 800.527.6838 | swisstown.com

Richland County Fairgrounds | 608.475.1886 | richlandcentertourism.com

16 | Brews and Blues | Lancaster, WI | Grant

5 | First Tuesday Open Mic | Dodgeville, WI |

7 | Concert on the Square | Monroe, WI | Green County | 6:30 pm | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

16 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.64.2127

9 | VFW Steak Feed | Benton, WI | Lafayette

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 -8 pm | 608.648.2127

County | VFW Hall | 4:30 – 7 pm

16 | Father’s Day Pie/Cake Sale | Argyle, WI |

9 | Family Fishing Day | Necedah, WI | Juneau

Lafayette County | Argyle Women’s Club | 9 – 11:30 am | 608.558.8464

16 | Cassville Volunteer Fire Department’s Picnic in the Park | Cassville, WI | Grant County |

12 | Music in the Park | Belleville, WI | Green

Riverside Park | 4 pm | BBQ chicken | 608.732.4794 | Cassville.org

County | Library Park, Main St & Hwy 69 | 6:30 pm | bellevillelibrary-wi.org

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16 | Jesse Parker Races | Tomah, WI | Monroe

608.943.6351

County | Tomah High School | 7 am | 5K Run/Walk, 5 Mile Run, 1K Senior Stroll, & 1K Special Needs Stampede, Angel Run, & Firecrackers Races. Pancake breakfast. | runjesse.com

22 | Old Timer’s Fast Pitch Game |

16 | Day on the Farm | Platteville, WI | Grant

16 | June Dairy Days-Rodeo Parade | Richland Center, WI | Richland County | 10:30 am | 608.647.3466 | richlandcentertourism.com

19 | Squeezebox Night | Monroe, WI | Green

22-23 | Community Garage Sales | Livingston, WI | Grant County | 8 am | 608.943.8788 | livingstonvillage.webs.com

23 | Lone Rock School Country Picnic/ Walk/Run | New Lisbon WI | Juneau County |

21-24 | Elroy Fair | Elroy, WI | Juneau County

| Recreation Park, 1625 Butts Ave | U.S. & Canada pullers, vendors | tomahtractorpull.com

24 | Livingston Festival | tractor pull, car show, dance | 608.943.6745

23 | Smart Phone Photography | Necedah, WI |

21-24 | Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck & Tractor Pull | Tomah, WI | Monroe County

8 am – 4 pm | Maps & vendor sales. | 608.565.2261 | Discover Necedah on facebook.com

19 | Music in the Park | Belleville, WI | Green

| Schultz Park | 121st celebration of youth & adult exhibits, entertainment, family fun | 608.633.2123 | elroyfair.com

Lions Club, 402 N Cincinnati | 8 am-3 pm | Always 4th Sunday in June | 608.862.2211 | albanylionsclub.com

Livingston, WI | Grant County | Memorial Park | 10 am -4 pm | Chicken BBQ, tractor show, kid’s pedal

20 | Chatauqua Program Summer Series |

24 | Car Show | Albany, WI | Green Count | Albany

22-23 | 6th Annual Community Wide Garage Sales | Necedah, WI | Juneau County |

Lone Rock School, N8242 6th Ave | 8 am – 3 pm | silent auction, kids games, music, balloon release | 608.427.6768. | LoneRockSchool.com.

County | Library Park, Main St & Hwy 69 | 6:30 pm | bellevillelibrary-wi.org

23 | All School Class Reunion |

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2018 Calendar of Events | JULY 1-29 | Tunes at Twilight Sunday Nights |

4 | 4th of July Celebration | Eastman, WI |

7 | Tor’s Country Music Show | Ontario, WI |

Crawford County | Parade, music, food & fireworks | 608.874.4361

Vernon County | Ontario Community Hall | 7 pm | bring lawn chairs | 608.337.4394

4 | 4th of July | Brodhead, WI | Green County |

7 | Dukefest Memorial Golf Tournament & Fireworks | Westby, WI | Vernon County | Snow-

4 | American Legion Chicken BBQ | Ontario, WI | Vernon County | 11 am | 608.337.4763

Parade, festivities & fireworks | 608.897.8411 | brodheadchamber.org

4 | Music Fest | Monticello, WI | Green County |

flake’s 108K Ski Jump Hill Cty, Hwy P | Music & food | 608.634.3211 | snowflakeskiclub.com

Washington Reformation Church, N6026 Church Rd | Bands, food & fellowship | washingtonfeformation.com

7 | Appalachian Singing in Sacred Spaces, with Michael and Carrie Kline | Dodgeville,

4 | 4th of July | Monroe, WI | Green County |

WI | Iowa County | Folklore Village | 7:30 pm | call to register | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

Twining Park, 425-14th Ave | Family fun, games, food, fireworks | cityofmonroe.org

7, 14, 21, 28 | Country Coon-Prairie Worship Service | Westby, WI | Vernon County |

7 pm | 608.634.3412

4 | Old Fashioned 4th of July | Sparta, WI |

7 | Annual Chicken Dinner | Mauston Fire House

Monroe County | Memorial Park | Family friendly free entertainment | 608.269.4123 | bikesparta.org

| 11 am | Annual fundraiser for Mauston Fire Dept. Deliveries available. | 608.847.5475 | mauston.com/chamber

4 | Family Fun at the Fire Station | Westby, WI

8 | Seneca Ridge & Valley Rally | Seneca,

ty | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 608.543.3986

WI | Crawford County | Parade, walk-run, smoked pork, pie auction, antique tractor pull & music. | 608.734.3054 | crawfordcountyevents.com

5, 12, 19, 26 | Music in the Park | Shullsburg,

8 | Twilight in the Park Concert | Brodhead, WI |

Green County | Veteran’s Park, 1108-1st Center Ave | 6 pm | 608.897.8411 | brodheadchamber.org

6-7 | Kickball Tournament| Stitzer, WI | Grant

County | Ball Diamond/Park | 608.943.6301 | fennimore.com

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13 | Concert on the Square | Monroe, WI | Green County | 6:30 pm | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

18 | Chautauqua Program Summer Series

25 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital | Mon-

18-22 | Green County Fair | Monroe, WI | Green

County | Green County Fairgrounds, 2600-10th St | 4-H & youth exhibits, livestock judging & shows, carnival, food, entertainment | 608.325.9159 | greencountyfair.net

25 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital |

25-29 | Monroe County Fair | Tomah, WI |

20 | Steak Sandwich Lunch | Livingston, WI

Monroe County | Animals, rides, food | monroecountyfairwi.com

27 | Concert on the Square | Monroe, WI | Green County | 6:30 pm | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

21 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon

27-28 | Juda Fore Fathers Celebration | Juda,

County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

WI | Green County | Motorcycle ride, music, beer, food, games, raffles | judaforefathers.com

28 | Amish Quilt Auction | Brodhead, WI | Green

28 | Churning Dirt National Truck & Tractor Pull | Richland Center, WI | Richland County |

22 | SW WI Tractor & Equipment Ride |

21-22 | Flea Market | Browntown, WI | Green

County | School House at Hwy 104 & Atkinson Road | 8:30 am - 4pm | 608.897.8429

Richland County Fairgrounds | Camping available. | 608.604.5068 | hybridredneck.com

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2-5 | Scandinavian Turn Shoemaking Class with Jason Hovatter | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa

30 | Monroe City Band Concert | Monroe, WI |

2-5 | Wood Turtle Days | Wilton, WI | Monroe

29 - Aug. 3 | Vacation Bible School | Living-

Green County | Twining Park, 425-14th Ave | 7:30 pm | Theme: Pops Concert | cityofmonroe.org

31 - Aug 2 | EcoExplorers Day Camp | Nece-

County | Village of Wilton Campground | 8:30 am 10 pm | Softball, volleyball, 5K run, fireworks, crafts, food, music & parade | 608.435.6512

AUGUST

1 | Chamber Back to School Business Showcase | Fennimore, WI | Grant County |

3-5 | Soil Sisters | Various locations | Green Coun-

Memorial Bldg, 860 Lincoln Avenue | 800.822.1131 | fennimore.com

ty | Immersive farming & culinary workshops, farm to table, tours | soilsisterswi.org

1 | Swiss Dinner | Monroe, WI | Green County |

3-5 | Coulee Antique Engine Club 47th Annual Tractor Show | Westby, WI | Vernon

Turner Hall, 1217-17th Ave | 5:30 pm | Swiss Independence Day | 608.325.3461 | turnerhallofmonroe.org

County | $5. Allis Chalmers, LaX Plow, kids activities, lawn & garden | 608.606.0103 | couleeantiqueengineclub.com

3–31 | Lafayette County Races | Darlington, WI

4, 11, 18, 25 | Country Coon-Prairie Worship Service | Westby, WI | Vernon County | 7 pm | 608.634.3412

7 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green County

4 | Firefest | New Glarus, WI | Green County | New

7 | First Tuesday Open Mic | Dodgeville, WI |

Glarus Fire Dept, 218-4th Ave | Music, beer & food | 608.527.5300 | newglarusfd.com

7–28 | Tuesday Evening Trap Shooting | Ben-

4 | American Legion Tonnage Tournament

8 – 12 | Cobb Corn Roast | Cobb, WI | Iowa

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13 | Annual Bethel Home & Services Foundation Golf Outing | Viroqua, WI | Vernon

WI | Green County | Run/walk | facebook.com/faithaddictionawareness

25 | Annual Cruise Night Car Show | Argyle, WI | Lafayette County | Good Fellas Tavern | 5 – 8 pm | 608.543.3606

26 | Sugar River Triathlon | Belleville, WI | Green

Green County | Hwy 59 west of Albany | 2 pm | 608.214.8289 | facebook.com/GapChurchCemetery

26 | Chicken Shoot | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

19 | Ice Cream Social | Belmont, WI | Lafayette

County | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 9 am – 4 pm | 608.543.3986

30-Sept 3 | Iowa County Fair | Mineral Point, WI

19 | Vernon-Viroqua Cowboy Breakfast | Viroqua, WI | Vernon County | Viroqua Community Arena | 7 – 11 am | 608.637.6323

31 | 65th Annual Firemen’s Labor Day Celebration | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

23-25 | City-wide Rummage Sales | Westby,

WI | Vernon County | 8 am | 608.634.4011 | westbywi.com

15 | Chautauqua Program | Ferryville, WI |

Green County | Albany Lions Club, 402 N Cincinnati | Always last Sunday in August | 608.862.2211 | albanylionsclub.com

County | 6:30 pm | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

25 | F.A.I.T.H. Addiction Awareness | Monroe,

County | Community Park | 7:30 am | sugarrivertri.com

24 | FFA Alumni Tractor Show | Albany, WI |

17 | Concert on the Square | Monroe, WI | Green

County | Laundry basket softball tournament, Gator races, Chicken Q, music, Gator toss, Stand Still parade & food. | 608.269.7155

19 | GAP Church Hymn Sing | Albany, WI |

August 24-26 | Gatorfest | Leon, WI | Monroe

| Iowa County| Iowa County Fairgrounds | iowacountyfair.com

| Hillsboro Firemen’s Park | Festival & parade | 608.489.3856 | hillsborofire.info

24-26 | HustlerFest | Hustler Exhibition Hall &

Benton, WI | Lafayette County | 4:30 pm | Banfield’s Swiss Haus Cuba City | Special program to follow

Museum | 7 am – 11:30 pm | Medallion hunt, bike/ quad races, movie, band, food, crafts, vendors, contests, games, Mud Run/Walk! | 608.427.6575 | hustlerfest.com

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2018 Calendar of Events | SEPTEMBER 1 | EAA Fly-In/ Drive-In | New Lisbon, WI |

6-9 | Cashton Fall Fest | Cashton, WI | Monroe

8-9 | Fall Harvest Winery Festival | New

County | Village Park |9 am-10 pm| Tractor pull, crafts, carnival, parade | 608.654.7828

7-9 | 38th Annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic | Prairie du Chien, WI | Crawford County |

Villa Louis Historic Site, 521 N Villa Louis Rd | Over 100 carriages in cross-country events | 608.326.2721 | carriageclassic.com

1-2 | Labor Day Celebration | Kendall, WI |

7-9 | 4th Annual Sustainability Weekend

Monroe County | Glendale Park | 10 am - 6 pm | Craft vendors tractor pull, food & parade | 608.463.7124

7-9 | City Wide Rummage Sales | Tomah, WI

9 | Barn Dance | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County

8 | St. Joseph’s Dinner & Golf Outing Fundraiser | Union Center, WI | Juneau County | 608.489.8259

8 | Fall Fish Boil Dinner | Brodhead, WI | Green County | Congregational UCC, 201 E. 23rd St | 4:30 - 7 pm | 608.897.2917

8 | VFW Steak Feed | Benton, WI | Lafayette

8 | Dash n Bash Festival | Lyndon Station, WI

5 – 26 | Open Shoots | Argyle, WI | Lafayette

8 | Apple Dumpling Day Festival | Elroy, WI |

County | Argyle Rod & Gun Club | 608.543.3986

8-9 | Pickers Flea Market | Monroe, WI | Green

County | VFW Hall | 4:30 – 7 pm

5-9 | Richland County Fair | Richland Center,

8 & 9 | Thunder Bridge Fly Wheelers Antique Tractor & Old Engines Power Show

4 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green

6-8 | Community Garage Sales | Monticello, WI | Green County | monticello-wi.com

120 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

9 | Sportsmen’s Field Day | Cataract, WI | Monroe County | Club Grounds west Hwy.

15 | Mississippi Mud Run | Prairie du Chien, WI |

Crawford County | St. Feriole Island, Blackhawk Ave | 4 miles of mud/obstacles for runners. Family event | 608.996.2107

Eagles Landing Winery | 10 am – 5 pm | Spiced Apple Wine. Live Music | 563.873.1905

15 | Fall Fest | Ferryville, WI | Crawford County

22 | Great River Road Fall Festival | Cassville,

15 | Kickapoo Brave Ride | Gays Mills, WI | Craw-

27-30 | Fall Into Savings in Fennimore Business Sales | Fennimore, WI | Grant County |

OCTOBER

608.822.3599 | fennimore.com

2 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green

27 | 7 am - 10 pm | Kids’ activities, trout pond,

ford County | Kickapoo BRAVE (Bluffs, Rivers, And Valleys Event) Ride. Bicycle rides through the Driftless area | 608.326.6658 | KickapooBraveRide.com

15 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.64.2127

18 | Squeezebox Night | Monroe, WI | Green

shooting & archery contests; charcoal chicken | 608.272.3155

3 | Friends of the Library Meeting | Hillsboro,

Richland County | Featuring the Annual “Canyon of Lights” Parade. | 608.647.3466 | richlandcentertourism.com

Hall Community Room, 232 Pleasant St | 6 - 8 pm | Cash prizes, snacks & beverages. Family friendly | 608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

Vendors, food & entertainment

5 - 6 | 9th Annual Fall Village-wide Rummage Sales | La Farge, WI | Vernon County |

29 | Kilby Supper | New Glarus, WI | Green County

29 | Fall Festival | Albany, WI | Green County |

22 | Breakfast in a Victorian Kitchen | Prairie

608.625.4422

21 | BINGO | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County | City

WI | Green County | Green County Fairgrounds, 2600-10th St | Truck-tractor pull, music, food & beer | greencountyfallnationals.com

WI | Vernon County | Hillsboro Public Library | 819 High Avenue | 5:30 pm | 608.489.2192

22 | Green County Fall Nationals | Monroe,

Avenue | 9 am – 2 pm | Fee | 608.822.7806 | fennimore.com

28 | Story Time | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

30 | Annual FFA Alumni Farm Toy Show & Sale | Fennimore, WI | Grant County | 860 Lincoln

5-7 | Center Color Fest | Richland Center, WI |

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2018 Calendar of Events | OCTOBER 6 | Hillsboro Brewing Co. Octoberfest |

8 - 13 | Refuge Week | Necedah, WI | Juneau

Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County | Annual celebration | 608.489.7486

18 | Senior Drop-In | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

6 | Visiting Our Ancestors | Prairie du Chien,

WI | Crawford County | Fort Crawford Museum, 717 South Beaumont Rd | 12:30 pm | Living history tour of 6 historic cemeteries. Admission | 608.326.6960 | forcrawfordmuseum.com

12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 31 | The Haunted Halls of Terror | Prairie du Chien, WI | Crawford County

6 | United Methodist Church Annual Hog Roast | Hazel Green, WI | Lafayette

| St. Feriole Island, Blackhawk Ave | 7 - 10:30 pm | 608.778.4283

13 | Pumpkin Bash | Mauston, WI | Juneau County

County | 1610 19th Street | 3 – 7 pm | Crafts, bake sale | 608.854.2742

| Riverside Park | 11 am – 5 pm | 608.847.4142 | mauston.com/chamber

6 | CheeseFest | Shullsburg, WI | Lafayette

13 | Fall Fest | Sparta, WI | Monroe County |

County | Free entertainment, cheese making, games, craft vendors, book sale, hay rides, wine tasting. | 608.965.3236 | Shullsburgwisconsin.org

Mueller Square | vendors, entertainment, contests. | 608.269.4123 | bikesparta.org

7 | Skogdalen Meatball Dinner | Westby, WI |

20 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 -8 pm | 608.648.2127

24 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital | Mon-

13 | VFW Steak Feed | Benton, WI | Lafayette

24 | Midday Masterworks Mini-Recital |

County | VFW Hall | 4:30 – 7 pm

24 | Witches & Wine | Darlington, WI | Lafayette County | 5 – 8:30 pm | Businesses with wine samples, savings & specials! | 608.776.3067

26-28 | Fall Swedish Dance & Music Weekend | Dodgeville, WI | Iowa County | Folklore

Village | Workshops in fiddle tunes & dance of central Sweden. Pre-registration required | 608.924.4000 | folklorevillage.org

13-14 | A Gathering of Rogues & Ruffians

27 | Fall Bazaar | Westby, WI | Vernon

County | 10 am – 1 pm | Skogdalen Lutheran Church, Oakdale & Cty P | Craft & bake sale, lunch available | 608.634.4871

14 | Port of Potosi 8th Annual Flea Market & Beer Show | Potosi, WI | Grant County | Potosi

Brewery Parking Lot | 9 am – 3 pm | 608.642.0321 or 608.763.2042 | portofpotosi@gmail.com

10 | Bingo Night | Sparta, WI | Monroe County |

16 | BINGO | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County | City

Sparta Eagles Club, Hwy. 21 | 6 - 9 pm | 4-H fundraiser Concessions & BBQ | 608.269.8722

Hall Community Room, 232 Pleasant St | 6 - 8 pm | Cash prizes, snacks & beverages. Family friendly | 608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

Vernon County | Skogdalen Lutheran Church, Oakdale & Cty P | 11 am – 1 pm | All you can eat dinner w/lefse & homemade pie | 608.634.4871

10 | Swiss Steak Supper and Bazaar | Living-

20 | Safe & Spooky Halloween | Cassville, WI

122 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

6 | Election Day Pasty & Chicken “N” Biscuit Supper | Hazel Green, WI | Lafayette County | United Methodist Church, 1610 19th Street | 4 - 7 pm | 608.854.2742

15 | Senior Drop-In | Hillsboro, WI | Vernon County

4 | Swissfest | Monroe, WI | Green County | Turner

Hall, 1217-17th Ave | 2 pm | 608.325.3461 | turnerhallofmonroe.org

16 | Hillsboro Firemen Fish Fry | Hillsboro, WI

16-18 | Business Holiday Open House Weekend Platteville, WI | Grant County | Main

17 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

17 | VFW Steak Fry | DeSoto, WI | Vernon County | DeSoto Community Center | 4:30 - 8 pm | 608.648.2127

17 | Bake Sale | Argyle, WI | Lafayette County | Argyle Women’s Club | 9 -11:30am | 608.558.8464

Street | holiday shopping | 608.348.8888 | Platteville.com

16-18, 23-25 | Holiday Open Houses |

20 | BINGO | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County |

Tomah, WI | Monroe County | Shop Tomah Stores | Unique specialty stores w/specials & door prizes. | 608.372.2166

City Hall Community Room, 232 Pleasant St | 6 - 8 pm | Cash prizes, snacks & beverages. Family friendly | 608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

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22 | Community Thanksgiving Dinner |

25 | 4th Annual Tree Lighting | Belmont, WI

Westby, WI | Vernon County | Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 306 S. Main St | 11 am-1 pm | 608.634.4871

27 | Christmas Tree Lighting | Ferryville, WI |

1 | Christmas Craft Fair | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau

County | HS, 500 S Forest St | Crafts & gifts. Santa. | 608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

30 | Welcome the Holidays | Argyle, WI | Lafay-

23 | Lighted Holiday Parade | Tomah, WI |

ette County | Argyle American Legion Park | 6 – 8 pm | Lighting of the Holiday Tree | 608.543.3113

Monroe County | Superior Ave | 7 pm | 608.372.2166 | tomahwisconsin.com

1–16 | Christmas Tree Sales | Belmont, WI |

30 - Dec 1 | Katie’s Garden Winter Wonderland | Platteville, WI | Grant County | Plat-

teville Regional Chamber | 5 pm – 8 pm | Christmas light Display, free photo with Santa, write letters to the North Pole, food | 608.348.8888 | Platteville.com

December

2 | 31st Annual Hazel Green Christmas Walk

23-25 | Victorian Home for the Holidays

1 | St Nicholas Day | New Glarus, WI | Green Coun-

1 | Indoor Market on the Square | Monroe, WI |

24 | Christmas in Cassville | Cassville, WI | Grant

1 | WILD Arts | Necedah, WI | Juneau County |

County | Parade of homes, decorating contests, wagon rides, Christmas parade, vendors, fireworks | 608.725.5855 | Cassville.org

Necedah Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center | 9 am – 4 pm | Free artist of the month reception | 608.565.2551 | fws.gov/refuge/necedah/

24 | Shop Small Saturday | Monroe, WI | Green

2 | Monroe City Band Holiday Show | Monroe,

County | Shop local | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

24 | Tipsy Turkey Pub Crawl | New Glarus, WI |

1 | Enchanted Sugar River Christmas | Albany,

4 | En Guete Evening | Monroe, WI | Green

Green County | 800.527.6838 | swisstown.com

WI | Green County | Along Sugar River

24 | 43rd Annual Christmas Creations Craft Show | Fennimore, WI | Grant County | 860

1 | Annual FFA Christmas Craft & Toy Train Show | Argyle WI | Lafayette County | Argyle Public

School | many vendors | 608.543.3314

4 | First Tuesday Open Mic | Dodgeville, WI |

Stores open late | 608.328.4023 | mainstreetmonroe.org

Lincoln Avenue | 9 am – 3 pm | 800.822.1131 | fennimore.com

124 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

6 | First Thursday | Monroe, WI | Green County |

15 | German Tree Lighting & Dance |

15-16 | Home for the Holidays | Marquette, IA |

8 | Old-Fashioned Christmas | Ontario, WI |

Vernon County | Ontario Community Center | 9 am – 3 pm | Santa at 11:30. Wagon rides, vendors, games

8 | Christmas Lighting Contest | Argyle, WI |

18 | Squeezebox Night | Monroe, WI | Green

Lafayette County | 608.543.3113

89 - December 31 | Christmas at the Fort |

18 | BINGO | New Lisbon, WI | Juneau County | City

Hall Community Room, 232 Pleasant St | 6 - 8 pm | Cash prizes, snacks & beverages. Family friendly |

8 | Breakfast with Santa | Camp Douglas, WI | Juneau County | Village Hall | 8 - 11am | $5 | 608.427.3355 | campdouglaswi.com

608.562.3555 | nlchambr@mwt.net

24 | Christmas Eve Worship | Westby, WI | Vernon County | Country Coon-Prairie Church | 3 pm | 608.634.3412

Courtesy of Randy Kirking

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Topical 2018 Calendar of Index Events | DECEMBER ANTIQUE/ART

BANKING/FINANCIAL

CASINO

203 A to Z.......................................................... 29 Breitbach Feeds .............................................102 The Cannery...................................................... 86 Cranberry Country Mall, Art Gallery & Tomah Antique Mall...............................75 Center Avenue Antiques..................................11 Central Boarding House Antiques.............. 41 Check’s Antiques..............................................87 Dark Metal Artworks ......................................60 Dorset Valley School Restaurant & Bakery........................................................ 69 The Frame Corner & Gallery........................40 Kountry Treasure Chest................................. 59 The Mulberry Pottery.......................................21 Past 100 Years Antiques................................76 The Planted Tree Gallery & Gifts ...............87 Red Door Gallery.............................................. 41 Red Geranium (The)........................................47 Sinsinawa Mound Center .............................60 Sparta’s New & Used Shop ...........................71 Sugar River Mall...................................................11 Treasures on Main .......................................... 28 Tri-City Antiques.............................................103 Village Greenhouse ........................................ 85 Whispers & Thyme.......................................... 58

Bank of Cashton .......................................... …76 Benton State Bank ........................................ 92 Edward Jones................................................... 28 Farmers State Bank.........................................27 Tennyson/Potosi Community Bank ....... 56 Westby Coop Credit Union.......................... 28

Casino Queen..................................................103

ATTRACTIONS A.D. German Warehouse .............................. 41 Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum ......................................71 Driftless Destinations ......................... 69 & 76 Eagle Cave Resort........................................... 42 The Grotto...........................................................57 Kickapoo Valley Reserve............................... 26 Monroe County Museum................................71 National Historic Cheesemaking..................6 Prairie Funland..................................................87 Richland County History Room.................. 41 Richland County Performing Arts Center............................. 41 Historical and Architectural Walking Tours of Richland Center........40 Villa Louis........................................................... 86 Villa Louis Carriage Classic........................... 86 • Wegner Grotto.............................................. …71 Wetherby Cranberry Marsh ..........................75 Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association..... inside back cover

BAIT & TACKLE Captain Hook’s Bait & Tackle.....................103 Castle Rock Hideaway................................... 46 Stark’s Sport Shop ..........................................87

BIKING REPAIR/RENTAL Speed’s Bicycle Shop, Sparta .....................72 Village of Albany.................................................8

BOWLING Boscobel Bowl & Banquet........................... 62 Dodger Bowl & Banquet Hall........................21

CAMPGROUNDS/CABINS/ COTTAGES Alana Springs Campground ....................... 39 Bean Park........................................................... 26 Captain Hook’s Bait & Tackle ....................103 Crooked Creek Canoe & Cabin Rentals... 24 Eagle Cave Resort........................................... 42 Fireside Campground.................................... 42 Iowa County Campgrounds ........................ 18 Jellystone Warrens............. inside front cover Juneau County Parks ....................................50 Kickapoo Stump Dodger Campground... 85 Kickapoo Valley Reserve............................... 26 La Farge Village Park...................................... 26 Lake Joy Campground.................................. 95 Leon Valley Campground............................. 70 Richland County Fairgrounds..................... 42 Richland County Parks.................................. 42 Serenity Bluff Cabin.......................................64 St. Joseph Resort ............................................47 Sweet Minihaha Campground ......................11 Tom’s Campground, Inc. ............................... 18 Tunnel Trail Campground............................. 69 Village of Avoca................................................20 Village of Kendall ............................................ 69 Village of Muscoda.......................................... 58 Village of Wilton Campground................... 69 Westby Rod & Gun Club............................... 29

CANOEING/RENTAL Crooked Creek Canoe & Cabin Rentals... 24 Kickapoo Wild Adventures........................... 26 Kickapoo Stump Dodger Campground... 85 Mr. Duck’s Canoe Rental............................... 26 Rockton Bar....................................................... 26 S&B Tubing, Canoeing & Kayak....................8 Sweet Minihaha Campground.......................11 Titanic Canoe Rental...................................... 26 Village of Albany.................................................8

126 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE/ TOURISM/CVBS Argyle Chamber of Commerce .................94 Boscobel Chamber of Commerce............. 62 Brodhead Chamber of Commerce..............11 City of Hillsboro ...............................................27 Crawford County Tourism Council ........... 85 Darlington Chamber/Main Street ............. 93 Fennimore Chamber of Commerce.........64 Ferryville Tourism Council ........................... 85 Juneau County Economic Development Corp....................................50 Lancaster Chamber of Commerce............ 59 Monroe Chamber...............................................6 Monroe County Economic...........................131 Monroe Main Street...........................................6 Monroe County Ag Society...........................72 New Glarus Chamber of Commerce...........9 Potosi-Tennyson Chamber..........................60 Prairie du Chien Tourism Council.............. 86 Richland Center Tourism..............................40 Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce...... 104 Tomah CVB........................................................73 Tri-State Tourism Council............................103 Village of Albany.................................................8 Village of Argyle...............................................94 Village of Avoca................................................20 Village of Belmont.......................................... 95 Village of Cashton............................................76 Village of Fennimore......................................64 Village of Kendall............................................. 69 Village of La Farge........................................... 26 Village of Muscoda.......................................... 58 Village of Necedah.......................................... 48 Village of Ontario............................................. 26 Village of Wilton............................................... 69 Vernon Tourism Committee ...................... 33 Westby Chamber of Commerce ............... 28

CHEESE STORE/FACTORY Alp & Dell Cheese Store.................................10 Arena Cheese, Inc............................................. 16 Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc...................... 19 Humbird Cheese.....................................74 & 75 Lactalis................................................................ 95 Meister Cheese Company............................ 59 Montchevre........................................................ 95 Nordic Creamery ............................................ 28 Pasture Pride Cheese ....................................76 Valley Fish & Cheese..........................86 & 102 Westby Co-op Creamery …......................... 29

Topical Index COFFEE SHOPS Timber Lane Coffee ......................... …………62

Westby House Inn........................................... 28 ZZip...................................................................... 29

COMMUNICATIONS

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS

LYNXX Lemonweir Valley TelCom ............ 48

CONVENIENCE/GAS Belmont BP Travel Center ........................... 95 Central Express, Cashton .............................76 First Capitol Mini Mart, LLC ........................ 95 Germantown Junction Store ........................51 Krachey’s BP..................................................... 62 New Horizons Supply Co-op ..................... 63

DINING/FAST FOOD A&W, Boscobel ................................................ 62 Badger Crossing Pub & Eatery....................76 Barn Restaurant (The)..................................103 Beezer’s Bar & Grill .........................................25 Boscobel Bowl & Banquet .......................... 62 Breitbach’s Country Dining ........................102 Casino Queen..................................................103 Castle Rock Inn ............................................... 59 Central Express, Cashton..............................76 The Cooks Room...............................................17 The Corner Pub & Deli...................................94 The Cotter Pin, LLC......................................... 70 Cottonwood Sports Bar & Supper Club .64 Culver’s, Prairie du Chien ..............................87 Culver’s, Richland Center .............................40 Dam Near Home Bar & Grill ..........................8 Dodger Bowl & Banquet Hall .......................21 Don Q Inn ........................................................... 19 The Donut Diner..............................................40 Dorset Valley School Restaurant & Bakery ................................ 69 Fibs North ………..................................................11 Fort Mulligan’s Grill..........................................87 Fowlers Stone Oven Pizza...............................11 Friederick’s Family Restaurant...................64 Germantown Junction Store ........................51 McCarville’s My Turn Pub ............................ 95 The Milk Jug Café , LLC................................. 26 M&J’s Bar..............................................................11 New Glarus Hotel Restaurant .......................9 Old Towne Inn.................................................. 29 Pointer Cafe.........................................................21 Rippers................................................... …………95 Rivers End Bar & Grill..................................... 26 Rockton Bar ……............................................... 26 Subway, Belmont............................................ 95 Tofflers Pub & Grill ............................................8 Tony’s Tap Bar & Grill ..................................... 19 Unique Café....................................................... 63 Viroqua Food Co-op ...................................... 31 Yellowstone Dairy Restaurant...................... 91

FolkLore Village..................................................17 Queen Casino....................................... 79 & 102 Folklore Village Farm.........................................9 Monroe County Fair........................................64 Snowflake Ski Club.........................................20 Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament.......20 Stump Dodger Bash........................................77 Super National Truck & Tractor Pull..........64 Thunder Showers, LLC.................................. 54 Two Sisters-Artistic Expressions................ 46 Villa Louis Carriage Classic............................78 WRJC....................................................................47

FESTIVALS/EVENTS Albany Fall Festival......................................... 94 BUTTERFEST................................................... 69 Prairie Dog Blues Festival.............................87 Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament.......20 Sparta Butterfest.............................................. 61 Stump Dodger Bash........................................77 Syttende Mai..................................................... 28 Warrens Cranberry Festival ..........................74 Waterfest............................................................ 45

FISHING/HUNTING Clements Fishing Barge.............................. 104 Great River Sportsman.................................. 48 Lake Joy Campground...................................87 Stark’s Sports Shop.........................................79 Wilton Hardware Hank.................................... 61

FLORAL/GIFTS/CRAFTS Breitbach Feeds .............................................103 Brenda’s Blumenladen.................................. 94 Broken Ladder.................................................. 86 The Cannery.......................................................78 Cranberry Country Mall..................................67 Cushman’s Greenhouse.................................87 Dorset Valley School Restaurant & Bakery.................................. 61 Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts.......................20 Gatherings, Tomah..........................................67 Gatherings, Boscobel..................................... 54 Humbird Cheese.............................................. 66 J&R Variety, Tomah.........................................67 The Market Place.............................................64 Mabel’s on Main................................................76 Mineral Point Collection..................................13 The Olde Newry Store................................... 68 Nana’s Farmhouse...........................................76 Pinnow Pharmacy............................................97 Red Geranium (The)....................................... 39

Rural Route 1 Popcorn.....................................13 Sinsinawa Mound Center...............................52 The Station.........................................................67 Tomah Cash Mercantile..................................67 Village Greenhouse..........................................77 Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.... 66

FRUIT FARM/MARSH/ ORCHARD Oakwood Fruit Farm, Inc. ............................ 42 Orchard Ridge (Gays Mills)........................... 85 Shihata’s Orchard............................................ 84 Spurgeon Vineyards.........................................15 Ten Eyck Orchard................................................11 Wetherby Cranberry Marsh ..........................75

FURNITURE Antique Mall of Tomah...................................75 The Cannery...................................................... 86 Cranberry Country Mall..................................75 Furniture Decor & More................................. 63 Dorset Valley School...................................... 69 J&R Variety.........................................................75 Sparta’s New & Used Shop............................71 Tomah Cash Mercantile..................................75 Uffda Mart............................................................... 28

GARDEN CENTER/ GREENHOUSE/NURSERY Brenda’s Blumenladen.....................................8 Cushman’s Greenhouse................................ 95 Village Greenhouse......................................... 85

GOLF Deer Valley Lodge & Golf............................... 16 Hickory Grove Golf Course........................... 62 Yellowstone Golf Course-Gnarly.....................94

GUIDES/TOUR SERVICES Hidden Valleys Guide...................................103

HISTORICAL/MUSEUM The A.D. German Warehouse...................... 41 Boscobel Depot Museum............................. 63 Country Coon Prairie Church and Cemetery.............................................. 28 Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum............................................71 Depot Museum, Brodhead.............................11 Dyersville Area Historical Society.............103 The Grotto...........................................................57 Historic Argyle................................................... 94 Iowa County Historical Society...................20 Monroe County Museum ...............................71 National Farm Toy Museum.......................103 Richland County History Room.................. 41

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Topical Index Richland County Performing Arts Center............................. 41 Historical and Architectural Walking Tours of Richland Center........40 Villa Louis........................................................... 86 Villa Louis Carriage Classic .......................... 86 Wegner Grotto....................................................71 Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.....74

HORSES Hickory Ridge Bed, Breakfast & Bridle...102

LIQUOR STORE Dean’s Liquor......................................................17 Hometown Liquor........................................... 63 QB Quality Beverages................................... 86 Stark’s Sport Shop...........................................87

LODGING/BED & BREAKFAST/ GUEST HOMES Castle Rock Hideaway................................... 46 Cream Pitcher (The)......................................... 41 Dolly’s Pedalers Rest Guest Home........... 69 Green River Guest House.............................64 Hickory Ridge Bed, Breakfast & Bridle...102 Little Switzerland Inn....................................102 Maple Harris Guest House........................... 56 Mississippi Sandbar/Motel........................... 56 RD Country Guest House.............................. 41 Trail-Side B&B.................................................. 69 Westby House Inn........................................... 28

CABINS Driftless Lodge..................................................57 Pine Point Lodge............................................. 59 Pleasant Valley Log Cabins......................... 127 St. Joseph Resort.............................................47 Woodman Lake Cabins/RV......................... 58

LODGING/MOTELS/ HOTELS/INNS AmericInn, Monroe..........................................10 Best Nights Inn, Sparta...................................71 Best Western Plus Sparta Trail Lodge........71 Zzip, Westby...................................................... 29 Chalet Landhaus Inn.........................................9 Country Inn & Suites - Sparta..................... 70 Deer Valley Lodge & Golf............................... 16 Don Q Inn............................................................ 19 Fenway House Hotel......................................64 Frontier Motel...................................................102 Hickory Hill Motel.............................................30 Hotel Hillsboro...................................................25 Hubl’s Motel....................................................... 56 Microtel Inn & Suites - Prairie du Chien....87 Midway Motel .................................................... 31

Mound View Inn .............................................. 58 Napp’s Motel ....................................................64 Old Towne Inn.................................................. 29 Pine Ridge Motel................................................21 Quality Inn, Belmont ..................................... 95 Quality Inn of Mineral Point .........................21 River Valley Motel............................................ 26 Safe Landing Motel........................................103 Sand Berg Retreat........................................... 95 Sunrise Motel......................................................51 Super 8 MotelDodgeville.................................21 Super 8 Motel - Sparta...................................72 Swiss Aire Motel.................................................12

LOUNGE/BAR/PUB Anton’s Saloon, LLC ....................................892 Badger Crossing Pub & Eatery....................76 Beezer’s Bar & Grill...........................................25 Casino Queen..................................................103 Corner Pub & Deli (The).................................94 Cottonwood Sports Bar & Supper Club.. 64 Dam Near Home Bar & Grill...........................8 Dodger Bowl & Banquet Hall........................21 Fibs North.............................................................11 Fort Mulligan’s Grill..........................................87 Good Fellas Tavern......................................... 94 Leisure Time Sports Bar & Bowl................ 86 M&J’s Bar..............................................................11 McCarville’s My Turn Pub ............................ 95 Old Towne Inn.................................................. 29 Pat & Greg’s Pour House.............................. 63 Pocket City Pub..............................................102 Puempel’s Olde Tavern....................................9 Rippers................................................................ 95 River’s End Bar & Grill.................................... 26 Rockton Bar....................................................... 26 Rookie’s.................................................................21 Tofflers Pub & Grill.............................................8 Tony’s Tap Bar & Grille.................................... 19 Westby Rod & Gun Club............................... 29 Yellowstone Golf Course-Gnarly.....................94

MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE/ METAPHYSICAL Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospitals & Clinics..................................... 62 Grant Regional Health Center..................... 56 Hometown Pharmacy......................................11 Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.. 90 Peterson Pharmacy.........................................25 Reiki Miracles..................................................... 48 Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers..............................................76 Through Me for You..........................................21 Upland Hills Health...........................................21

128 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitor’s Guide

PARKS/RECREATION Avoca Park.........................................................20 Bean Park........................................................... 26 Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park....................... 31 Kickapoo Valley Reserve............................... 26 La Farge Village Park...................................... 26 Richland Center Parks................................... 42 Richland County Fairgrounds..................... 42 Richland County Parks.................................. 42 Sidie Hollow County Park.............................. 31 Vernon County Parks...................................... 31

REAL ESTATE City of Hillsboro................................................27 First Choice Realty.......................................... 69 Kickapoo Homes of Viroqua........................ 31 New Directions Real Estate......................... 28 Rush Creek Realty..........................................103 Wilkinson Auction & Realty Co. ................. 58

RELIGIOUS Country Coon Prairie Church and Cemetery.............................................. 28 Broken Ladder.................................................. 86 The Grotto...........................................................57 Sinsinawa Mound Center..............................60

RETAIL Alp and Dell Cheese Store.............................10 Bethel Butikk.................................................... 29 Brenda’s Blumenladen.....................................8 Broken................................................................. 86 Cakery & Bake Shop (The)...........................30 Cannery (The)................................................... 86 Cheryl’s Norse Styles..................................... 28 Cotter Pin, LLC (The)...................................... 70 Cranberry Country Mall, Art Gallery & Tomah Antique Mall...................................75 Cushman’s Greenhouse................................ 95 Dinky General Store (The)............................ 58 Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts....................... 28 Ewetopia Fiber Shop......................................30 Fillback Automotive....................................... 62 Funky Monkey Computers............................75 Furniture Decor & More................................. 63 Gatherings, Tomah..........................................75 J&R Military Surplus......................................103 J&R Variety, Tomah.........................................75 Kickapoo Exchange Natural Foods Co-op................................ 85 Kountry Treasure Chest................................. 59 Little Stars Boutique.......................................75 Local Oven (The).............................................102 Luecke’s Diamond Center.............................10 Mabel’s on Main................................................76 Market Place (The)............................................72

Topical Index Mineral Point Collection of Shops...............21 Mound View RV, Inc. ..................................... 95 The Mulberry Pottery.......................................21 Nana’s Farmhouse...........................................76 North Earth Gifts...............................................15 Oakwood Fruit Farm, Inc.............................. 42 Ocooch Books & Libations.......................... 42 Organic Valley, La Farge................................ 26 Pickett Fence (The)......................................... 86 Piggly Wiggly........................................................11 Planted Tree Gallery & Gifts (The)..............87 Quilt Peddler (The)..........................................64 Red Geranium (The)........................................47 Rural Route One Popcorn.............................57 Second Time Around.....................................30 Shoe Box (The)...................................................21 Shop Tomah.......................................................75 Sparta’s New & Used Shop ...........................71 Stark’s Sport Shop...........................................87 The Station.........................................................75 Swiss Colony Outlet Center..........................10 Tomah Cash Mercantile..................................75 Treasures on Main........................................... 28 Uffda Mart............................................................... 28

Village Greenhouse......................................... 85 Viroqua Food Coop......................................... 31 Wehling Farms & Country Store................. 29 Wertz Floor & Home.......................................40 Westby Locker & Meats................................. 28 Whispers & Thyme.......................................... 58 Wilton Hardware Hank................................... 69 Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.....74

Through Me for You..........................................21 Thunder Showers, LLC.................................. 59 Tollakson–Emery Memorials....................... 94 Village Greenhouse......................................... 85 Wilkinson Auction & Realty Co. ................. 58

SPECIALTY FOODS/ GROCERIES/SHOPS Alp and Dell Cheese Store.............................10 Apple House at Shihata’s Orchard (The).. 87 Bethel Butikk.................................................... 29 Boscobel Farmers Market............................. 63 The Cakery and Bake Shop.........................30 Dinky General Store........................................ 58 Dorset Valley School Bakery....................... 69 Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts....................... 28 Grab A Cone...................................................... 59 Humbird Cheese.....................................74 & 75 Kickapoo Exchange Natural Foods Co-op................................ 85 Kieler’s Grocery and Liquor.......................... 59 Lonesome Stone Milling............................... 42 Nordic Creamery.............................................. 28 Organic Valley, La Farge................................ 26 Piggly Wiggly...................................................... 11 Quality Bakery....................................................21 Rural Route One Popcorn ............................57 Sadie’s Sweet Shop.......................................102 Shihata’s Orchard............................................ 84 Swiss Colony Outlet Center..........................10 Udder Brothers Creamery............................ 63 Valley Fish & Cheese..........................86 & 102

Viroqua Food Coop......................................... 31 Westby Creamery............................................ 29 Westby Locker & Meats................................. 28 Wetherby Cranberry Marsh ..........................75 Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.....74 Wisconsin River Meats................................... 49

SPORTING Deer Valley Lodge & Golf ............................. 16 Great River Sportsman.................................. 56 Snowflake Ski Club......................................... 28 Speed’s Bicycle Shop......................................72 Stark’s Sport Shop......................................7987 Westby Rod & Gun Club............................... 29 Wild Side Sporting Goods................................. 62

TOURISM CONTACT Prairie du Chien Area Tourism Council.... 86 Richland Center Tourism..............................40 Tri-State Tourism............................................103 Vernon County Tourism................................ 33

TRAILS Elroy-Sparta State Trail................................ 104 Village of Albany.................................................8

WINERY/VINEYARD Eagles Landing Winery...................................87 Southwest Wisconsin Wine Trail................ 59 Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery......................15 Stone Cliff Vineyard & Winery...................103 Weggy Winery....................................................35 Whispering Winds Winery ...........................64

Wild Side Sporting Goods................................. 62

SERVICES Ace Concrete..................................................... 92 710 Diagnostics and Repair..........................57 American Family Insurance ..............29 & 30 Brechler-Landosky Group............................64 Cheryl’s Norse Styles..................................... 28 City of Hillsboro................................................27 Clements Fishing Barge...............................103 Edward Jones................................................... 28 Fillback Automotive....................................... 62 Kickapoo Homes of Viroqua, Inc................ 31 Lovelace Pump Co.......................................... 93 Massage Works Day Spa & Salon.............. 95 Mound View RV, Inc. ..................................... 95 Mr. Tom’s Body & Paint, Inc......................... 63 Pederson Agency............................................ 94 Reiki Miracles..................................................... 48 Sinsinawa Mound Center..............................60 Southwest Technical College.......................64 Speed’s Bicycle Shop......................................72 Superior Trophies & Storage........................ 63

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Topical Index

130 | Hidden Valleys of Southwest Wisconsin Four Seasons Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

Photos left to right • Rural Farm, Sparta • WI Cranberry Discovery Center, Warrens • Color Guard at Tomah VA, Tomah • Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck & Tractor Pull, Tomah • CP Holiday Train, Tomah • Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, Sparta • Amish Buggy, Cashton • Ben Bikin Bridge, Sparta • Cranberry Harvest, Warrens • Bike Me Fun Ride, Kendall • Kayaking, Warrens • New Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center, Tomah • Snow Tubing, Fort Mccoy

gomonroecounty.com MONROE COUNTY

800.354.BIKE bikesparta.org

800.94.TOMAH tomahwisconsin.com

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Juneau Monroe Vernon Richland Iowa

Crawford

Green Grant

LaFayette

Hidden Valleys showcases the beauty and diversity of the best of Wisconsin -highlighting cultural attractions, events, scenery, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and heritage of nine counties in the southwestern corner of the state. We invite you to discover Hidden Valleys... a great place to work, live or visit! Hidden Valleys would like to take this opportunity to thank the nine counties of Southwest Wisconsin for their continued support. We would also like to extend a special thank-you to our featured county, Grant County, for their additional support and efforts in the cover and insert design. By helping us provide you with a quality resource for exploring our unique area, everyone benefits.

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