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Monroe
County Attractions
Located
in west central Wisconsin between the Wisconsin and Mississippi
Rivers, Monroe County is a land of scenic wonders.
From craggy buttes and mesas that once were islands rising
from the wooded bed of a great glacial lake and grand marshes
where bright red cranberries and mosses grow, Monroe County features
sparkling brooks, rivers and streams flowing through rugged rock-walled
valleys and gently rolling hills, wildflower prairies, brushlands
and forests. The county's varied landscape and diverse plant
communities provide habitat for an abundant variety of fish,
game and wildlife including whitetail deer, wild turkeys, upland
birds, waterfowl, squirrels, beavers, otters, fox, hawks, eagles,
owls, herons, cranes, and songbirds.
Included
among the area's 19th Century immigrants was a large congregation
of German-speaking Amish farm families, who continue to worship,
live, and farm today as their pioneering ancestors did 150 years
ago. Abandoned in
the mid-twentieth century, the railbeds of Monroe County now
serve as recreational bicycle trails, including the grand daddy
of all bicycle trails, the nation's first rails-to-trails conversion,
the Elroy-Sparta Trail. and the county's portion of the La Crosse
River State Bike Trail.
Although the
logging and transportation boom that led to their development
have passed on, most of the towns and villages that grew around
the lumber camps, millsites and railroad depots in the 1850's
still flourish and preserve the memories of their pioneering
past. The countryside
is dotted with steeples of churches built by 19th century immigrant
congregations. Gracious historic churches, homes and mansions
line city, town and village streets; and well-preserved historic
commercial buildings continue to serve 21st century needs.
Amish homes, schools and farmsteads, implements, vehicles,
tools, and farming practices are living reminders of the 19th
century past. The county's museums feature artifacts and memorabilia
of the area's rich cultural, commercial, railroad, and agricultural
history. Preserved
19th century railroad depots, trestles and tunnels continue to
serve the needs of 21st century adventurers.
Since the last of the great logging operations came
to an end at the turn of the 20tb century, Monroe County's economy
has revolved around its uniquely diversified agricultural base.
The county's rolling hills and bottomlands are among Wisconsin's
most productive dairy farming areas.
The marshland around the village of Warrens in the county's
northeastern corner hosts the largest concentration of cranberry
marshes in the state, producing an average of 28.5 million pounds
of the bright red berries annually.
This area also hosts a unique agricultural activity some
refer to as Wisconsin's "Invisible Industry"--the production
of sphagnum moss; more than. 300,000 bales annually.
Wisconsin is the only state in the nation that commercially
harvests, processes and exports this major horticultural product.
Monroe
County offers visitors a broad range of recreational opportunities. There are more than 50 miles of easy-riding,
railroad grade, bicycle trails through spectacular scenic valleys,
along the beautiful La Crosse River, over dozens of trestles,
and through cavernous tunnels.
There are over 100 miles of meandering rivers to
paddle; hundreds of acres of public hunting land full of game;
forests to roam; craggy islands to climb; miles of streams and
acres of ponds to fish in; swimming holes and downhill ski areas;
hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails; wildlife areas to explore;
berries to pick and birds to watch; and miniature and competition
golf courses to try. Area visitors
will find whatever they need to fully enjoy
the county's outdoor recreational offerings at trailhead offices,
local outfitters, bait and tackle shops, resorts and sporting
goods stores. Monroe County's roads lead through
remarkable bits of history and fantastic scenery to wonders and
treasures including the view of Glacial Lake Wisconsin atop
Mill Bluff; the remnants of the Goodyear Logging Camp; the red seas of cranberries; cliff-lined
river valleys; gold lace tamarack forests; Oil City, where a
phony oil discovery raised a fortune; the Wegner Grotto, a grassroots art treasure;
Amish homesteads and shops offering
hand-crafted rugs and furniture, produce and baked goods still
hot from the oven; 80 year-old windmills gently turning on the ridge tops, the Cranberry
Museum; and, Fort
McCoy, a regional U.S.
Army Training Center.
Treasure
hunters will enjoy browsing the county's antique, gift and specialty
shops, including a 60-dealer antique mall and area flea markets,
and visiting
with craft producers in Amish country. No matter
what the palate, diners wil1 find a variety of cuisine to choose
throughout Monroe County, from ethnic to traditional and from
"fast" foods to gourmet dining. Monroe
County offers a variety of accommodations for a night, a week,
a month or more, including 15 campgrounds with more than 600
sites ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hook-up
facilities, historic log cabins, Victorian bed and breakfast
inns, housekeeping cottages and full-service motels. Monroe
County, a world away from the ordinary, yet close enough
for
everyone to come and enjoy the scenic and historical charm of
the area! back
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Museums
and Historic Sites
Cranberry
Museum
Cty. Hwy. EW, Warrens
608-378-4878
Dedicated to preserving the heritage of the cranberry industry,
this museum offers guided tours and hands-on exhibits that are
fun and educational for all ages.
Little
Red School House
Gillett Park, Tomah.
608-372-2166
Step into the 19th Century at the Little Red House located in.
Tomah's Gillett Park on Superior Avenue.
The historic one-room school is open Memorial Day through.
Labor Day.
Tomah
Area Historical Society Museum
112 Superior Ave., Tomah
608-372-1880
This museum catalogs the history of Tomah with displays from
Tomah native son, Frank King, creator of the nationally syndicated
comic strip "Gasoline Alley", along with. exhibits
on. the development of Tomah's businesses and industries including
the early railroad and lumber years, agriculture and cranberry
operations. Open
Tuesday through Saturday from mid-May through mid-October.
Little
Falls Railroad and Doll Museum
Cty. Hwy 11, Cataract
608-272-3266
Ride back to the days of the steam locomotive with a miniature
outdoor
train ride and enjoy a large library of railroad photos, books, videos
and more. Wander
through the old orange caboose and three operating layouts that
bring the past to life.
The Doll Museum is filled with hundreds of dolls dating
from the 1800's to the collectible dolls of today.
Visit the Japanese area, the Barbie room, the Victorian
Doll House, the busy kitchen and everyone's favorite, the "Christmas
Morn" room. Located
two miles east of Cataract on Cty. Hwy 11.
Monroe
County Local History Room Museum and Library
200 W. Main St., Sparta
608-269-8680
Featuring permanent exhibits that illustrate daily life in the
area, from the days of the fur trappers through modern times,
the History Room Museum presents artifacts of early farming and
industry along with displays depicting the typical home life
of bygone eras. Open
Mon. - Fri., 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Historic
Sparta
608-269-4123
The City of Sparta incorporated as a village in 1857, is home
to many fine examples of late 19th and early 20th century architectural
style and workmanship, including a number of public buildings
listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including
the impressive 1896 Monroe County Courthouse, the Masonic Temple,
the Sparta Free Library, a Carnegie Library, and the United States
Post Office.
Tomah
Veterans Administration Medical Center
Veterans St., Tomah
608-372-1727
Originally an Indian Boarding School, this facility served as
an Army Air Force radio training center during WW II and now
houses the Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Tours of this historic government facility may be arranged
by calling the VA Public Affairs Office at 608-372-1727.
St.
Mary's Church.
Cty. Hwy.
U, Cashton
608-654-7828
Built more than 100 years ago, St. Mary's Church stands at the
highest point of St. Mary's Ridge on Cty. Hwy. U northeast of Cashton.
The interior of this historic landmark features three
towering, intricately carved and gilded wood altar pieces and
finely executed statuary reminiscent of that found in 16th and
17tb century European Cathedrals. Outside, St. Mary's Ridge offers
a breath-taking, panoramic view of the countryside.
The
Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto
State Hwy. 71, Cataract
608-269-8680
The Wegner Grotto features a collection. of primitive glass and
concrete art works restored and given to the people of Monroe
County by the Kohler Foundation.; including the "Glass Church."
where weddings have been. held, the Peace Garden, a ship, wedding
cake, and animal sculptures.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Fort
McCoy Historical Center
State
Hwy. 21, Monroe County
608-388-2407
Established in 1909 as Camp McCoy, this 60,000-acre military
facility has been. home away from home and training ground for
generations of soldiers from WW I dougb-boys to present day peace-time
warriors. The Fort
McCoy Historical
Center recalls the history of U.S. military development, and
the men and women who worked and trained here.
The installation also includes a World War II Commemorative
Area and a Military Equipment Park. back to top
Parks and Nature
Centers
Mill
Bluff State Park
Glacial Lake Wisconsin Overlook
St. Hwy. 12 & 16, Oakdale
About 18,000 years ago, the last great North American glacier
crossed the Baraboo Hills at Devil's Lake and blocked an ancient
riverbed with a giant earthen dam, creating "Glacial Lake
Wisconsin," a million-acre freshwater lake up to 150 feet
deep, covering 1,800 square miles stretching from Stevens Point
in the North, west to present-day Tomah. About
14,000 years ago, the loose rock, sand, and earthen dam that
created the Glacial Lake burst, generating a colossal flood that
emptied the lake in about three days.
The land that had lain under the water for 4,000 years
was level and sandy, studded with. rocky outcroppings, towering
buttes and bluffs of Cambrian sandstone that had once been islands
protruding from the glacial lake.
The water is gone, but the lake can stil1 be seen from
the top of Mill Bluff.
Here, visitors who climb the 175 stone steps to the blufftop,
enjoy a matchless view of the great glacial. lake bed, now covered
with woodlands, scrub brush. and prairies, strewn. with rocky
islands stretching east as far as the eye can see.
Wild
Cat State Park
Hwy. 33, Ontario
The scenic beauty of this park is highlighted with exposed bluffs
overlooking forested hills and valleys.
Visit the park office and climb to Observation Point for
an. exceptional view of the area.
Kickapoo
River Valley
Monroe County
Winding 125 miles through a 65-mile long valIey, the Kickapoo
River is one of the "crookedest" and most picturesque
rivers in the nation. Bordered
by sandstone cliffs covered with ferns, mosses and wildflowers,
the Kickapoo offers unexcelled scenic beauty, peaceful solitude,
great fishing and easy going.
Canoe and equipment rentals, launching sites, resting
spots and picnic areas along the way beckon paddlers to explore
at leisure, relax and feast along the way.
Skiing
and Snowmobiling
Monroe County
In winter, Monroe County's bike trails become part of a network
of trails linking with trails in surrounding counties to provide
hundreds of miles of snowmobiling enjoyment.
The county also sports miles and miles of cross country
ski trails over gently rolling hills, along rushing rivers and
through forested valleys. Area ski hills provide lots of downhill skiing
excitement.
Elroy-Sparta
National Bike Trail
Monroe County
608-463-7109 (Kendall Depot Headquarters)
Stretching from Sparta, the bicycling capital of America, south
to Elroy, the Elroy-Sparta Trail is the grand daddy of all bicycle
trails. This 32-mile
trail was the first rails-to-trails conversion in the United
States. Added to
the National Bike Trail route in 1972, was nearly 30 miles of
the Elroy-Sparta Trail through unglaciated Monroe County, allowing
the user to enjoy spectacular foliage, pass over 33 trestles
and through three massive rock tunnels. Tunnels 1 and 2 are 1,680 feet in length and tunnel 3
is 3,810 feet, almost 3/4 of a mile long! The tunnels are unlighted
so bring strong flashlights for the walk through. Because the trail is easy to ride (no grade is over 3
percent) and covered with limestone screening for smooth riding,
bicyclists of all ages can enjoy the trail.
The Elroy-Sparta Trail links with the 400 and La Crosse
River State Trails. The 21.5-mile La Crosse River State Bike Trail
parallels the beautifu1 La Crosse River and travels across prairie
remnants, farmlands, trout streams and hardwood forests.
The scenery along these trails is spectacular and the
communities along the way furnish everything needed for a grand
two-wheeled excursion-- rentals and repair shops, parking, camping,
drinking water, restrooms, picnic facilities, groceries, bed
and breakfast inns, motels and restaurants.
Electric carts for non-pedalers, souvenirs, and trail
passes are available at trail headquarters located in the Kendall
train depot.
Driving
Tours
Monroe County
800-948-6624
Explore the fascinating world of Monroe County!
Visit the cranberry country and travel through the world's only commercial sphagnum moss production
area. See Oil City
where a fortune was made on a phony petroleum "discovery”;
then watch as automotive craftsman hand-build $160,000 Deusenberg
Motors Precision Classics.
Enjoy the tranquil old-world Amish Country, and more on
one of three Monroe County Driving Adventures.
Self-guided tour maps are available from local Chambers
of Commerce and area merchants. back to top
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