Don't Miss - Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin

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A place for all seasons . . .
Richland County is known for its outstanding
year-round scenic highways. There are four distinct
seasons, each with its own spectacular beauty.
In springtime, the green hillsides are
interlaced by contour farming and the highways
are lined with wildflowers and spring blossoms.
Canoeing and kayaking begin on the Wisconsin, Pine,
and Kickapoo rivers, and the hikers and bikers start
frequenting the Pine River Recreation Trail that runs
between Richland Center and Lone Rock.
In Summer, the agricultural crops begin to
change the colors of the fields to rich greens, and
dairy cows dot the hillsides . . . you’ll need to have
your camera handy. More than 260 miles of class 1
and class 2 trout streams attract anglers to Richland
County each year, and the Pine River Recreation Trail,
as well as several other onroad bike routes that range
from 10 miles to 65 miles, draw bicyclists.
Autumn’s harvest time brings out the red,
yellow, orange and rust of maples and oaks. Stop at
the farmers’ markets and roadside stands for a taste
of fall's bounty. Wild turkeys are abundant and can
often be seen grazing in recently harvested fields. The
bike paths are especially beautiful this time of year.
Winter’s blanket of white snow covers
the landscape and brings a quiet tranquility to the
hillsides and valleys. Richland County has 134 miles
of groomed snowmobile trails that enthusiasts come
from all over to enjoy. Ice skating at Krouskop Park,
cross country skiing or snowmobiling on the Pine
River Recreation Trail and ice fishing add to winter’s
fun. White-tailed deer, rabbit, wild turkey and many
more animals are frequently spotted.
The Story of
The Boaz Mastodon
Choice
Destination
Over one hundred years ago, July 7, 1897, an exciting discovery was
made along an eroded bank on a tributary of Mill Creek near Boaz.
John Dosch, living along Route 14 and Mill Creek, sent his four young
sons, Chris, Harry, Clyde and Verne, to check a flood gate after a severe storm. There, they found
massive bones sticking out of the bank. The bones were brought to the well house for safe keeping.
As days passed, news of the find was spread around the countryside. The local newspapers, The
Richland Center Republican and the Viola Intelligencer, and a diary kept by Lewis Staum, documented
the story. Thus the discovery of what is known today as the Boaz Mastodon and which can be seen at
the Geology Museum at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. This was the first recorded discovery
of mastodon bones in Wisconsin. The full impact of the discovery was probably never realized by the
family.
In 1995, descendants of the Dosch family in cooperation with the Boaz Area Lion’s Club and the
Wisconsin Markers Program, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, erected a Historical Marker near
the site. The marker may be found along Highway 14, one mile east of Boaz, Wisconsin.
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