Richland County

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Richland County Attractions

Nestled in the unglaciated hills and narrow valleys of Wisconsin's scenic Southwest, Richland County is full of natural wonders, historic sites, homes and commercial buildings crafted in the 19th century. In Richland County you will find a warehouse designed by the county's most famous son, widely acclaimed as the greatest architect of the 20th Century, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Richland County's scenery is stunning. Rivers and streams flow through green valleys between towering wooded bluffs and hills; prosperous family farmsteads wrested from the forest more than 150 years ago paint geometric crop patterns across the valleys and rolling hillsides. Spectacular geologic formations like Elephant Rock, Natural Bridge, and Steamboat Rock spring-up unexpectedly from the landscape and Wisconsin's largest onyx cave, Eagle Cave, tunnels through it.

Richland Center, the County Seat, is small town mid-America at its best. In the city's downtown historic district, the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright keeps company with modern merchants serving present day needs in the same buildings he and his father shopped in a century ago. Here, visitors will find the Park Hotel built in 1873; the County Courthouse built in 1889 with its marble pillared portico and multi-gabled clock tower standing tall for all to set their watches by; and more. Nearby, along quiet tree-lined streets, visitors will find dozens of exquisite architectural reminders of the past; pristinely restored and preserved homes dating from the 1850's through the early Twentieth Century in a range of styles, including American Foursquare, Cape Cod, Greek Revival and Tudor designs.

Picturesque pioneer churches, standing bright against green hills in verdant valleys, grace the countryside. Rural town and village main streets host a range of commercial establishments, specialty and antique stores, feed and farm supply emporiums, many housed in restored 19th century buildings. In most of the county's rural settlement, visitors will find pioneer and late 19th Century homes standing proudly next to more recent residences constructed in styles reminiscent of their century-old neighbors.

Here, and in nearby Governor Dodge State Park, outdoor enthusiasts will find a world of activity in every season of the year; including camping, hiking, cycling, boating, equestrian trail riding, canoeing the Kickapoo, Pine and Wisconsin Rivers, hunting, fishing, swimming, cross country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, wildlife observation, bird watching, and photography.

Richland County's woods and grasslands host an abundance of game birds and animals. This is one of Wisconsin's best and favorite areas for deer, pheasant and turkey hunting. The area's healthy rabbit, squirrel, coyote and fox populations also challenge and reward skillful hunters.

In Richland and nearby counties, golfers can choose from six courses, ranging from a delightful par three, "fun time" course to full-service, 18-hole courses to challenge the best. The county's indoor sports facilities include bowling, roller skating, racquetball, and a year-round fitness center.

Richland County's farmers and cheesemakers, sculptors, painters, wood carvers and soap makers enjoy displaying and proudly sharing their products, as well as the "secrets" of their craft. Traveling through the county, visitors are invited to sample the freshly picked fruits and vegetables grown by the areas many fruit and vegetable growers; to taste the quality cheeses produced on-the-spot in roadside cheese factories; and, to view the works displayed in local artists' studios and craft shops.

Treasure hunters will find quaint antiques and period pieces, whimsical gifts and household items waiting to be discovered in town and village shops and stores. In season, the Richland Area Farmer's Market brings growers and buyers together to celebrate bountiful harvests of meats and vegetables, bedding plants and sweet corn, jams and jellies, peppers and beans, crusty bread hot from the oven and cheese curds packed this morning.

Good food is never far away in Richland County. Area fare includes a variety of menus served in a range of settings including carry-out and eat-in fast food outlets and pizzerias, family restaurants offering good old fashioned home cooking, fine dining establishments featuring traditional American favorites and European specialties, a genuine Chinese restaurant, and taverns, pubs and bistros serving grill and kitchen specials.

Visitors to Richland County also enjoy a variety of lodging accommodations, from full-service family and economy motels, unique bed and breakfast establishments including a number located on working dairy farms and ranches, an historic mansion with gracious grounds and luxurious amenities, full-service RV campgrounds, and primitive campsites in the forested hills of nearby Governor Dodge State Park.

Located an hour away from Madison, La Crosse and the Illinois and Iowa State borders, Richland County is easily accessible from every direction. The trip to Richland County is scenic and definitely worth experiencing!

Museums and Historical Sites Back to top

The Warehouse / Frank Lloyd Wright Museum
Richland Center
800-422-1318
Designed as a warehouse for A.D. German, a wholesale grocer and coal dealer, by Richland County's most famous son, world renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this impressive building is remarkable for its engineering as well as its impressive artistic merit. Constructed in 1915, the building rests on a shock-absorbing cork padding to enhance its stability. Wright later incorporated this shock-absorbing feature in Japan's Imperial Hotel, famous for withstanding one of Tokyo's most severe earthquakes. The impressive red brick structure is topped by a massive concrete frieze reminiscent of Mayan decorative elements that transform this utilitarian building into a sturdy temple of commerce. The warehouse currently houses a gift shop, tearoom, art gallery and the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum, and is open to the public year 'round.

Historic Downtown Richland Center
Richland Center
800-422-1318
History buffs will enjoy a walking or riding tour of Richland Centers' Historic District where more than two dozen outstanding buildings reflect the tastes and styles of days gone by. The historic district includes the 1873 Park Hotel, the 1889 Courthouse with its marbled colonnade and gabled clock tower, Frank Lloyd Wright's Warehouse, the 1920's Prairie School designed Fred H. Pratt House, and nearby residences built in American Foursquare, Cape Cod, Greek Revival and Tudor designs. One of the oldest homes in the city, the red brick Greek Revival style James McKee house, was built in 1858 and the Wrigley House, the city's oldest rental property, believed to be the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright, was also built in the 1850's.

Parks and Nature Centers Back to top

Ash Creek Community Forest
Richland County
800-422-1318
This 350-acre park is Richland County's largest. It offers four miles of primitive hiking and cycling trail and a three-mile stretch of Class One trout stream.

Governor Dodge State Park
State Hwy. 23, Dodgeville
608-935-2315
This 5,029 acre park includes steep hills, craggy bluffs and deep valleys with two lakes, a waterfall, spring houses built by early settlers and an abundant variety of wildlife, from white-tailed deer at water's edge to black hawks soaring effortlessly above. Governor Dodge features 267 campsites, 77 electric sites, winter camping, showers, a dumping station, backpack camping, handicap-accessible picnic area and campsites, concessions, boat and canoe rental, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, vistas, shoreline, marked beach area, 2 miles of nature trails, 26.6 miles of hiking trails, 24.7 miles of horseback trails, horse-riders campsites, 10.3 miles of off-road bicycle trails, 15 miles of snowmobile trails, 18.1 miles of cross-country ski trails. On state Hwy. 23, 3 miles N of US 18, 3 miles N of Dodgeville.

Krouskop Park
Richland Center
800-422-1318
The Pine River flows through this 37-acre park, providing access to miles of fishing and canoeing adventure. The park has three pools for swimming, diving and wading fun; a lighted athletic complex that includes football and softball. fields, a basketball court, three tennis courts, and two sand volleyball courts. The park also provides a large picnic area with six shelters and grills, six horseshoe courts, two gazebos, playground equipment and a bandstand with live summer entertainment.

Miner Hill Trail Park
Richland Center
800-422-1318
This park features fifty acres of scenic wonder revealed along a walking trail that wanders past five overlooks and an old quarry, through woods and open meadows, to the top of a bluff with a panoramic view of the city and countryside spreading out in the valley below. Here and there along the way, hikers will find resting and picnic spots for a leisurely pause on the trail.

Pier County Park
Hwy. 80 North, Rockbridge
608-647-4637
This 10-acre county park has 6 campsites, picnic tables and grills, play equipment, a half-mile walking trail over the Pine River, and the Natural Bridge Rock formation.

Pine River Recreation Trail
Richland County
800-422-1318
Following an abandoned railbed, the 14.8 mile-long Pine River Trail leads from Richland Center to Lone Rock. This easy-graded rail trail invites hikers and cyclers in spring, summer and fall, and snowmobilers in winter.

Snowmobile Trails
Richland County
800-422-1318
After the snow falls, Richland County snowmobile enthusiasts groom and ride 109 miles of well-marked trails over hills and valleys and forest paths. Maps are available from the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Special Things To Do Back to top

Richland Area Farmers' Market
Richland County Courthouse, Richland
800-422-1318
Beginning the first Saturday in June, Richland area farmers bring the fruits of their labors to sell on the Courthouse lawn beginning at 8:15 a.m. They stay until noon or until they're sold out. Look for specials on hearty bedding plants, tender, just-picked asparagus, zesty fresh-out-of-the-spring watercress, ruddy turnips, robust tomatoes, multi-colored lettuces, radishes, peas, beans, firm and crispy cabbages, broccoli and brussel sprouts, onions sweet as apples, apples sweet as honey, grade A honey in comb and jar, sweet corn picked at dawn, jams, jellies, fresh meats, hot-from-the-oven breads and pastries, dozens of homemade cheeses and just-packed cheese curds; all begging to be tasted and sure to bring rave reviews at home.

Rock Formations and Countryside Tours
Richland County
800-422-1318
Tour Richland County's fabulous rock formations. Visit Eagle Cave, Wisconsin's largest onyx cave. Wonder at the remarkable forces that fashioned the "Natural Bridge" located in Pier County Park, marvel at the massive, layered sculpturing of Steamboat Rock and the whimsical construction of Elephant Rock. Meander through the Ocooch Mountains where crystal clear springs, gurgling streams and rushing rivers flow through deep and verdant valleys and horizontal limestone outcroppings along the hillcrests look from the distance to the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.