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Grant
County Attractions
Bordered by the
mighty Mississippi on the west and Wisconsin River on the north,
Grant County's dramatic landscape of hills and valleys is unlike
any other park of the state, with nooks and crannies that have
a special charm.
Along Grant County's
scenic routes and byways, visitors can find dozens of rural cottage
industries, historic sites, museums and cultural centers open
to the public. For the nature enthusiast, the county's bluff-lined
streams, riverbeds, hills and valleys invite adventure, new experiences
and rediscovery. The wooded Mississippi River bluffs, open water
and public lands in Grant County provide ideal habitat for eagles
as well as other unusual wildlife and plant species. State parks
offer spectacular views of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers
and surrounding countryside, as well as camping, fishing, hiking,
boating, picnicking, swimming, nature study and Indian Burial
Grounds. The State Historical Society's Stonefield Village, a
living museum of an 1890's village, provides live demonstrations
and hands on experiences with the past. Visit a lead mine operated
by Native Americans long before the 1836 lead rush, descend into
a 19th century lead mine, attend a Civil War Military Ball, watch
reenactments of Civil War battles and skirmishes and visit the
restored Hotel Boscobel.
So if you are
tired of a fast paced, hurried routine, come visit Grant County
and enjoy a unique blend of history, scenic beauty, agriculture,
wonderful recreational opportunities, and small town hospitality. Back to top
Museums & Historical
Sites
Fennimore
Historical Railroad Museum
610 Lincoln
Avenue, Fennimore
608-822-6144
"Dinky", the narrow gauge train that carried goods
and passengers between Fennimore and Woodman from 1878 to 1926,
is preserved here along with other memorabilia of Fennimore's
railroading past. In addition, the museum offers rides on an
operational 15" gauge railroad complete with scale model
buildings and equipment that complete the miniature layout. Open
daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day 10am -4pm; weekends only
in September and October.
Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum
1140 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore
1-888-867-7935
Dolls from around the world, dating from 1810 to the present
day, and toys from Walt Disney, Ertl, Fisher Price and more are
featured in this museum's whimsical and historic collection.
The museum also exhibits visiting collections that change on
a regular basis. The museum and gift shop are open daily, Memorial
Day through Mid-December, 10am - 4pm.
Mining Museum
405 E.
Main Street, Platteville
608-348-3301
http://mining.jamison.museum
Ride in ore cars pulled by a 1931 mine locomotive, descend into
the 1845 Bevans lead mine and visit the working head-frame where
ore was hoisted and hand sorted at the Platteville Mining Museum.
Relive the area's mining past in photographs, models, dioramas
and artifacts. Open daily, May through October, 9am-5pm; the
Changing Galleries are open November through April, Monday to
Friday, 9am - 4pm.
Rollo Jamison Museum
405 E.
Main Street, Platteville
608-348-3301
http://mining.jamison.museum
Return 100 years into the past through exhibits of carriages,
farm implements, tools, a tavern/general store, a kitchen and
parlor, mechanical music boxes and more at the Rollo Jamison
Museum. Open daily, May through October, 9am - 5pm.
Grant County Courthouse
130 W. Maple, Lancaster
608-723-2675
Patterned after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Grant County
Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inside visitors will find G.A.R. and Civil War displays. The
Courthouse is located on a unique square in downtown Lancaster,
the site of the first Civil War monument in the United States.
Historic Boscobel
Boscobel
608-375-2672
Visit the City of Boscobel's historic buildings restored and
preserved as they were in the late 1800's. The downtown restoration
district features many outstanding examples of 19th Century architecture,
including the Hotel Boscobel, the birthplace of the Gideon Bible
Society.
Cunningham Museum
120 East Maple Street, Lancaster
Browse through artifacts of the Civil War, World Wars and Grant
County's early black and Indian settlements at the Cunningham
Museum.
Stonefield Village
P.O. Box 125, Cassville
608-725-5210
Cross a covered wooden bridge and visit a turn-of-the-century
village with shopkeepers and craftsmen at work. A short walk
away, in a 1900 farmhouse, savor the aroma of baked goods prepared
in a wood-fired stove. Inside the State Agricultural Museum,
also part of Stonefield, is a collection of rare historic farm
machinery - both full size working machines and elaborate patent
models that tell the story of Wisconsin Agriculture. Visitors
can also picnic on the village green or browse the museum shop
for books and souvenirs. Open daily, Memorial Day through Mid-October,
10am - 4pm.
Mitchell Roundtree Cottage
Platteville
608-348-8687
Built in 1837, the Stone Cottage has been on the Register of
Historic Sties since 1972. Much of the furniture in the home
is original. Open to the public.
Back to top
Parks & Nature
Centers
Wyalusing
State Park Nature Center
133342
County Hwy. C, Bagley
608-996-2261
This beautiful, large state parks sits atop the Mississippi River
Bluffs where visitors can view the joining of the great Wisconsin
and mighty Mississippi Rivers. Indian Burial Grounds and a marker
commemorating the spot where Joliet and Marquette first entered
the Mississippi in 1673 are located in the park. The park also
offers wonderful camping, hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing,
swimming, and nature study.
Nelson Dewey State Park
County Hwy. VV, Cassville
608-725-5374
Part of the estate of Wisconsin's first Governor, this beautiful
park features a breathtaking scenic overlook of the Mississippi
River, Indian Mounds, picnicking, camping, playground, bird and
wildlife observation areas and hiking. Weekend and holiday tours
of the Governor's home and grounds in Stonefield are available.
Oakwood Nature Park
Bronson Blvd. and County Hwy. Q, Fennimore
608-822-6119
A new, 45-acre Nature Park features native trees and wildflowers,
RV shelters, and picnic facilities and 3 1/2 miles of hiking
and cross-country ski trails. Back to top
Special Things to
Do
Loop-the-Loop
Tour
608-725-5855
Meander the Mississippi by car or bicycle; take a self-guided
tour along the East bank of the great river from Prairie du Chien
to Dubuque and back along the west bank. Start anywhere on the
loop then loop back where you began. On the way, cross the Mississippi
on the Cassville Car Ferry. Obtain tour maps at the Ferry Dock,
from the tourism center in Cassville, or any city on the loop.
Cassville
Car Ferry
Hwy.
133/81, Cassville
608-725-5180
The fun way to cross the Mississippi; the Cassville Car Ferry
begins operation the first weekend in May, operates 9am-9pm Saturday
and Sunday only until Memorial Day, then daily until Labor Day,
and weekends only through October 31.
Lead Mines Bicycle Tour
Cassville to Potosi
608-725-5180 or 608-763-2121
Take a self-guided bicycle tour of the mining country from Cassville
to St. John Mine in Potosi. Guide maps are available at all area
tourism centers.
Platteville Farmers' Market
Downtown Platteville
May Thru October, Saturdays 6-11 am, Fresh produce, cut
flowers, perennials, baked goods, honey...everything you'd
want at a market, including art. Located in City Park, one
block off Main Street in downtown Platteville, Contact -
Robin Timm, Phone - (608) 348-9827
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Points of Interest
Lock
and Dam 10
Closing
Dam Road, Cassville
Observe operation of the lock and one of the dams that helped
tame the upper Mississippi. Also look for majestic bald eagles
that gather there. This is one of the nation's finest eagle viewing
sites. The lock and power generating station keep the river ice-free,
providing winter feeding opportunities and attract eagles by
the score. As many as 260 eagles have been counted on a January
morning along Cassville's riverfront. Many are year round residents
here.
The Grotto
Hwy. 61, Dickeyville
This famous religious site features elaborate stone and glass
mosaic sculptures.
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