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Lafayette
County Attractions
Enjoy the unspoiled
natural beauty of Lafayette County while also experiencing Wisconsin's
rich and colorful frontier history. Sleep and dine in restored
19th Century mansions, and visit frontier and mining settlements,
historic battlegrounds, and Wisconsin's First State Capitol.
Once lead mining
country, Lafayette County was settled in the 1820's by miners
who clawed ore from the hills. Some mining camps and several
mines have been restored and are open to the public, including
two at the Swindler's Ridge Museum in Benton and one in the City
of Shullsburg. Other area museums and historical sites offer
artifacts, restored buildings, tours and displays that bring
the frontier past to life. Lafayette County also offers its visitors
lakes, trails, scenic overlooks of unexcelled beauty in the surrounding
farmland, forests, rivers and hills. Wildlife enthusiasts will
find abundant varieties ranging from bald eagles and coyotes
to bluebirds and wild turkeys along area hiking, biking and ATV
trails. Recreational opportunities also abound in peaceful, historic
Lafayette County, the original home of Wisconsin's mining badgers.
Lafayette County
offers visitors a touch of the past, lots of natural beauty and
the best of present day hospitality. Located in the southwest
corner of the state, Lafayette County is 20 minutes from Dubuque,
20 minutes from Galena, and 2 ½ hours from Chicago.
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Museums & Historical
Sites
First Capital
of Wisconsin State Park
County
Hwy. G, Belmont
608-987-2122
Tour two of Wisconsin's First State Capital buildings, restored
to recall the days when the State Legislature met here for 46
days in 1836. The Council House, where frontier lawmakers wrangled
over passage of 42 bills, has been refurbished in the style of
the period. A museum in the Supreme Court Building depicts life
in the 1830's on the Wisconsin frontier.
Swindler's Ridge Museum
25 West Main Street, Benton
608-759-5182
Named after a nearby ridge where miners stole lead from each
other's diggings, Swindler's Ridge Museum features three sites
in the original mining complex, including two mines restored
as working models. Open every weekend Memorial Day through Labor
Day, 12noon - 4pm.
Village School House Museum
Catherine Street, Benton
608-759-3441
The 1851 Benton School House Museum allows visitors to visit
the past through class photos, vintage books, desks, alumni memorabilia
and a collection local newspapers. Call to arrange visits.
Darlington's Main Street
Main Street, Darlington
1-888-506-6553
Darlington's Main Street is a registered National Historic District
offering residents and visitors the opportunity to visit, dine
and shop in restored, historic buildings and businesses.
Lafayette County Courthouse
Main Street Boulevard, Darlington
608-776-4850
Standing at the top of Darlington's Main Street Boulevard, the
Lafayette County Courthouse is an architectural treasure. The
monumental sandstone structure built in 1905 features marble
walls, tile floors, and a Tiffany glass rotunda. The Courthouse
is richly decorated with murals and statuary throughout and is
the only courthouse in the nation built with private funds from
a single donor. Tours are held Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm.
Lafayette County Historical Society Museum
525 Main Street, Darlington
A few blocks from the courthouse is the Lafayette County Historical
Society Museum where residents and visitors will find model trains,
railroad history, pearling displays, and unusual artifacts of
local history. Historic prints, books and photos are available
for purchase. Open Monday through Friday 1:30pm-5pm and Saturdays
9am-12noon.
St. Augustine Church
County Highway W, New Diggings
608-744-3438 or 608-854-2396
A definite must to see is St. Augustine, a magnificent Italiante
church built by pioneer missionary Fr. Mazzuchelli. It is Wisconsin's
oldest wooden church and the last remaining church constructed
under Fr. Mazzuchelli's direction. Open every Sunday, May 31
through September 31, 1pm-4pm, or by appointment.
Badger Mine and Museum
279 W. Esptey, Shullsburg
608-965-4860
Relive the rich history of a bygone era -- Wisconsin's mining
period. Descend 51 steps with your guide into a hand-dug 1827
mine. Other lead mines are open to the public, but none are as
extensive. The museum features recreations of the original mining
camps including a general store, apothecary, tobacco shop, blacksmith
shop, and a carpentry shop. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day,
10am-4pm.
National Water Street Historic District
Water Street, Shullsburg
Forty-four buildings in Shullsburg are listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The best way to see them and other
older homes, churches and interesting sites is to pick up a free
brochure at the tourist information office and take the self
guided tour.
Blackhawk Memorial Park
County Highway 78, Woodford
Parks Dept. 608-776-4970
Visit the site of the June 16, 1832 battle where frontier militia led by Colonel Henry Dodge fought and subdued a Kickapoo war-party from Black Hawk's "British Band." This action came about in response to the murder of several frontiersmen at Spafford's farm and near Fort Hamilton (Wiota, WI). After this battle, Black Hawk continued his retreat north and west across Wisconsin, being pursued by General Henry Atkinson, Colonel Zachary Taylor, Dodge, and for a time, private Abraham Lincoln.
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Parks & Nature
Centers
Belmont Mound
State Park
Belmont
Parks Dept. 608-776-4970
Cheese Country Recreation Trail
Darlington
608-328-9430
Yellowstone Lake State Park
County Hwy. F, Blanchardville
608-523-4427
Yellowstone Lake State Park offers 2,600 acres of year round
family outdoor activity: picnicking, hiking, fishing, hunting
in the spring, summer and fall and an array of water sports on
one of Wisconsin's most beautiful lakes, and ice fishing, skating
and snowmobiling in winter.
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Special Things to
Do
Bloody Lake
Black Powder Shoot and Rendezvous
Blackhawk
Memorial Park, Woodford
608-465-3390
Live history at it's best! Black powder shoot and Indian encampment
participants re-create the early 1800s in period costumes with
authentic clothing, weapons, food, and shelter. Frontier games
include tomahawk and knife throwing, shooting, and fire-starting
competitions. Held the first full weekend in May.
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Points of Interest
Gravity Hill
Shullsburg
Visit this mysterious hill where cars drift backward up the hill,
or so it seems. Stop by any shop in Shullsburg and ask for directions.
Primitive Methodist Church
County Hwy. H, Jenkynsville
608-744-2202
A small stone church built in 1861 and a collection of five stone
buildings are all that remain of Jenkynsville. Located four miles
north of Benton, this abandoned mining village was first settled
in 1837. Homecoming services are held on the last Sunday in June.
Call to schedule a visit.
Tours
Mining Region
Tour
Shullsburg
608-965-4401
Don't miss the self-guided six-mile road tour through the lead-mining
region surrounding Shullsburg. Call for a brochure and tour map.
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