Don't Miss - Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin

u
LAFAYETTE CounTY u
observation tower that provides a panoramic view of three
states.
The Pecatonica Trail which starts (or ends) here offers
many recreational choices for ATVs, hikers, bicyclists,
horseback riders and snowmobiles. The 9.6-mile limestone
surfaced trail joins the Cheese Country Trail at Calamine,
which links the communities of Mineral Point and Monroe.
Bond Park, located adjacent to the Pecatonica Trail, has picnic
and fitness areas and a shelter with restrooms.
“Brass & Brats” Music Festival held at the school grounds
on June 9, 2009 will feature performances by the Dubuque
Colts Drum & Bugle Corp, the Colt Cadets, the Capital
Sound Drum & Bugle Corp, and other local musicians. This
free annual event offers one and all an evening full of great
entertainment, food, an antique and classic car display and
if weather permits, skydivers. The Belmont School and
Community Fair (Wisconsin’s oldest and free) held during the
week of September 7, 2009, starts with school activities on
Tuesday evening.
Southwest Wisconsin’s largest 24-hour travel center
features a restaurant, CAT scale, and an RV dump station.
One of our newest businesses is a national chain hotel
which features 50 rooms, swimming pool, whirlpool, 550-seat
convention center, and a 75-seat conference room.
For further information, visit our website
www.belmontwi.com, send an e-mail to vilbelm@mhtc.net,
or call (608) 762-5142.
Shullsburg
Welcome to Shullsburg, Wisconsin’s oldest Irish community
and third oldest city. Shullsburg is rich in history, architecture,
and commerce.
Fur traders first traversed the
area as early as 1815. Locations of
rich lead deposits were made known
to Jesse Shull in the summer of 1826
at present day Shullsburg. A great
“Lead Rush” immediately followed.
Lead and zinc mining continued for
150 years.
The “architecture” of the first
1826 prospectors consisted of crudely
covered holes dug in the ground.
These prospectors were appropriately
called badgers, after the small ornery
animals that lived in dug-out burrows.
Then came crude log buildings.
Impressive rock structures by Cornish
and Irish immigrants sprang up in
the 1830s and '40s. Wood frame
structures became more common in
the 1840s and later years. Brick was the popular choice by the
1880s. Many of the buildings from the 1830s on are still in use.
Styles include Federal, Greek Revival, Romanesque, Gothic,
Italianate, Victorian, and many very interesting vernacular
types.
The first commerce in the area was fur trapping and hunting,
followed by lead mining. Mercantile and professional endeavors
soon followed. Shullsburg started as a true wild west prospecting
town.
Today, Shullsburg is proud of its Nationally Registered
Historic Water Street Business District. Forty-four buildings
are listed on the National Register. Almost all are meticulously
restored, occupied by thriving businesses. Thirty unique
specialty shops in 12 buildings, several restaurants and
pubs, 2 historic inns for lodging, conference facilities with
breakout rooms, as well as many quality professions. And of
course, Shullsburg is the home of Shullsburg Cheese, quality
assurance and time honored tradition since 1934.
Spend a day, weekend, a week in Shullsburg. Shop for
furniture, accessories, jewelry, flowers, specialty foods,
cheese,and hardware. Take a 3 hour driving tour of old mining
sites. Sit down and enjoy great meals and drinks. Sleep over
in beautifully restored, clean and comfortable, historic inns.
Visit, within 30 minutes of town, many interesting and exciting
attractions. Bring your family and friends to Shullsburg - truly
your destination to discovery.
Blanchardville
Nestled in a scenic valley in the northeast corner of
Lafayette County, the Village of Blanchardville offers small
town living within commuting distance from Madison. Along
Blanchardville’s Main Street you’ll find stores offering cheese,
gifts, fine art, cottage industry arts, antiques, and hardware.
Enjoy homestyle cooking at the Viking Café or a beverage and
food at one of the 4 pub and grills.
Situated along the banks of the Pecatonica River is
beautiful McKellar Park, featuring 9 full-service campsites,
picnic area and shelter, playground, swimming pool, and ball
diamonds. In cooperation with the DNR and FEMA, a wetlands
area is being developed. If you are canoeing the Pecatonica,
Blanchardville is an ideal launch or take out site. If ATV fun
is more your style, the Lafayette Tri County ATV Trail from
Fayette ends at Hwy 78 in the village.
Right next to the bridge over the Pecatonica, is the
Blanchardville Historical
Society, a museum of
artifacts detailing the
history of Blanchardville
and offering a selfguided
walking tour of
the historical buildings.
The village was
established in 1844 by a
small group of Mormons
lead by Samuel Horner.
Horner built a waterpowered
gristmill, which
was bought by Alvin
Blanchard in 1855.
After the Mormon colony
disappeared around
1857, the community
became Blanchardville.
Events in Blanchardville include the Father’s Day Chicken
Barbeque, Cruis’n Wisconsin Car, Truck and Cycle show on the
second Sunday in July (July 12, 2009), a summer garden tour
and art exhibit in July, Pec Jamm 2-day music festival and
Pecatonica River Art Confluence in August, and in October
(October 10, 2009) a uniquely “Blanchardville” tradition of
a whole community true Homecoming celebration involving
the school, alumni from across the country, and community in
a Friday night torchlight-parade, and bonfire, a fun, slightly
wacky Saturday homecoming parade, and a football game,
with packed taverns on Friday and Saturday nights, often
providing live music.
LAFAYETTE CounTY
Hidden Valleys u www.hiddenvalleys.com u
39