Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin

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GRANT County u
contour-stripped farms and the treecovered
hills of the Platte River Valley.
Got a bike? Then travel Grant County
highways and byways, whether you enjoy a
simple ride along one of the many streams
or rivers or rushing through trees and
creeks. Grant County is a sportsman’s
paradise, noted for its excellent wild
turkey hunting and cold-water trout fishing
streams.
A lot of history can be learned at the
Stone Cottage in Platteville which was
built in 1837. The historic monument to
the Engineering Department of Wisconsin
State University-Platteville, had its
beginning back in the winter of 1936.
Wisconsin’s Great River Road follows
the Mississippi River through 60 miles of
Grant County. Along the way you will find
quaint river towns, fantastic vistas, two
state parks – Wyalusing State Park near
Bagley, and Nelson Dewey State Park –
and two historic sites – Stonefield Historic
Site www.wisconsinhistory.org/stonefield/
and Nelson Dewey’s home near Cassville.
Visit the Grotto in Dickeyville and St. John
Mine and Passage Through Time Museum
in Potosi. Ride the Cassville Car Ferry
from May to October, and get a different
perspective on the Mississippi River.
Watch birds migrate along the Mississippi
Flyway from both state parks, plus at
Potosi Point, near Potosi. Cassville’s
Riverside Park offers great eagle watching
during the winter months.
As you travel in the fall
you can take a break and
enjoy the amazing corn maze
on the Vesperman Farm in
Lancaster. After a fun
time at the maze you
can stop by one
of the charming
restaurants
for a bite
to eat or shop in the variety of stores the communities have to offer. If it’s
on a Saturday, you might want to attend the Platteville Farmers Market after
you’re done. Here you can pick up lots of fruits and vegetables as well as
beautiful flowers to plant or just sit on your table to appreciate the beauty in
Grant County.
Grant County Communities
Bagley
This small community, dating back to 1884, is a gateway to a network of
sloughs on the Mississippi River, ideal for fishing and recreation. Yogi Bear
Jellystone Campground is located 1 mile north of Bagley on County Highway X
and includes a large heated pool, 2 playgrounds, and 200 camping sites. Also
located just outside the community of Bagley is the River of Lakes Resort,
which offers camping, boat landings and dining.
Bloomington
Nestled along the Blake Fork Creek, Bloomington is home to Taft’s Mill
pottery (1852) and the Blake’s Prairie Fair - check the website for date -
www.blakesprairiefair.com. Within the village there are other businesses
such as a bakery, supper club, hardware stores, furniture stores, to mention
a few.
Boscobel
Located near the junction of Highways 60 and 61 along the scenic
Wisconsin Riverway, Boscobel is not only known as the Wild Turkey Hunting
Capital of Wisconsin, but also the birthplace of the Gideon Bible.
Located in the heart of downtown Boscobel is the Boscobel Hotel. This
three-story native limestone landmark is now on the State and National
Register of Historic Places.
Historically important buildings that preserve the city’s architectural
heritage include the old rock school and the Boscobel railroad depot, which
was a meeting place for the Civil War veterans. On the first weekend in
August, Boscobel
now hosts one of
the largest Civil War
reenactment events
in the Midwest.
The Floyd
Von Haden
Boat Landing
allows access
to the Wisconsin
River’s final stretch.
The Blaine Bridge,
which spans the
Wisconsin River
between Grant and
Crawford Counties, is
the gateway to one of
the most beautiful and
pristine regions of the
state.
Cassville
Cassville, a Mississippi River village
along Wisconsin’s Great River Road, is nestled under the bluffs and along
GRANT County
Hidden Valleys u www.hiddenvalleys.com u
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