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Burlington

                

Racine

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attractions & oddities

resources

 

1

Tall Tales Trail

 

location:  Burlington
self-guided tour

      


"A self-guided tour of the Burlington Liars' Club championship lies immortalized on bronze plaques displayed on public buildings and storefronts throughout the downtown area. Visit Burlington's past, stroll past stately old homes and the historic business district. Enjoy this unique brand of American humor. The brochure is available at the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce..."
- section from Burlington Chamber of Commerce website


  Burlington Chamber of Commerce
113 East Chestnut Street
Burlington, WI  53105

               

Chamber hours:
(Mon - Fri)  9am – 5pm  /  (Saturdays)  10am – 2pm

Burlington History
www.burlingtonhistory.org

Burlington Chamber of Commerce
www.burlingtonchamber.org

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)

page 49 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
pages 101 - 102

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Eccentric America"
by Jan Friedman
Globe Pequot Press (2nd ed., 2004)
page 89

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wiscomical"
by John M. Russell
Oak Point Press (2003)
page 27
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

 

2

Logic Puzzle Museum

Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum

 

location:  Burlington
museums

      


LOGIC PUZZLE MUSEUM:  " 50 different hands-on logic, mechanical and brain puzzles to play, solve, and attempt, with bells to ring when you solve one: a celebration of your success!  See vintage puzzles, Victorian style parlor puzzles and games; a private collection of sliding block puzzles, and more."
- section from the official site

       www.esljunction.com

TOP MUSEUM:  "The Spinning Top Museum, Burlington, Wisconsin;  is a unique and lively visit with hands-on spinning tops, an exhibit of more than 2,000 tops/ yo-yos/ gyroscopes; top spinning videos, plus a live presentation the celebrity The Top Lady, Judith Schulz."
- section from the official site

Logic Puzzle Museum hours:
    (Tues & Wed)  1pm – 6pm  /  (Saturdays)  10am – 2pm

               

Top Museum hours:
special times & appointments only  (see official website)

  533 Milwaukee Avenue
Burlington, WI  53105

Official Sites
1. www.logicpuzzlemuseum.org
2. www.topmuseum.org

Journal Sentinel Online
article "The one and only" or (here)

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 191
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 101

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Eccentric America"
by Jan Friedman
Globe Pequot Press (2nd ed., 2004)
page 88

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Offbeat Museums"
by Saul Ruben
Santa Monica Press (1997)
pages 146 - 149
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Great Little Museums of the Midwest"
by Christine Des Garennes
Trails Books (2002)
pages 8 - 9

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"America Bizarro"
by Nelson Taylor
St. Martin's Press (2000)
page 213
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

3

SC Johnson Research Tower

 

location:  Racine
architectural oddity

This Frank Lloyd Wright-designed office building sits empty as it does not meet modern safety codes.


"The 14-floor tower is one of the tallest structures ever built where there is no visible support under the outer walls. Wright designed the Tower using the cantilever principle which is similar to the root, trunk and branch system of a tree. This design allows the tower to appear to hang, suspended in the air."
- section from Racine County Official Site


"The Johnson Wax Building, also called the Administration Building, is constructed of more than 200 sizes and shapes of bricks. Light shines into the building through several layers of glass tubes which cannot be seen through. Wright also designed the original furniture for the building. Some chairs had only three legs, and would tip over if a forgetful secretary did not sit with correct posture."
- section from About Architecture website

  1525 Howe Street
Racine, WI  53403
contact: GOLDEN RONDELLE THEATER

                       

tour hours:
reservations requested  (Fridays)  11am & 1:15pm

Journal Times
story "Wright in Racine"
www.journaltimes.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Great Buildings
www.greatbuildings.com

Wright in Wisconsin
www.wrightinwisconsin.org

Racine County Official Site
www.racinecounty.com

Factory Tours USA
factorytoursusa.com

Peter Beers
www.peterbeers.net

Boston College
www.bc.edu

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press  (2nd ed., 2004)
page 173 - 174
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

4

Wingspread

 

location:  Racine
architectural oddity

"Wingspread is configured in wings, which fan out like a pinwheel from the central dome...The arrangement of the wings allows nearly every room easy access to a patio or balcony. The center of Wingspread is a living space Wright dubbed a “wigwam.” The 40- by 60-foot octagonal room is dominated by a 30-foot high chimney, around which are ranged four distinct living areas: a dining area, an inglenook, an intimate library, and a formal living room. Each space features a fireplace and built-in furniture that Wright designed for Wingspread. The mezzanine also features one of Wright’s less successful innovations: a fireplace designed to burn 12-foot logs leaning vertically against the firewall. Unfortunately, when the fireplace was first lighted, the logs burned from the bottom, collapsed, and fell into the room."
- section from the official site


  33 East 4 Mile Wind Point
Racine, WI  53402

                        

tour hours:
(Tuesday - Thurs)   9:30am – 3pm
No tours are given during conferences.

Official Site
www.johnsonfdn.org

Great Buildings
www.greatbuildings.com

Wright in Wisconsin
www.wrightinwisconsin.org

Peter Beers
www.peterbeers.net

Boston College
www.bc.edu

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  page 173

(3rd ed., 2009)
  page 167
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

"Chicago Typewriter" (Dillinger's Tommygun)
gangsters exhibit at racine police station

 

location:  Racine
historical display

A similar model above and the real deal below.

      


"On November 20, 1933, four masked men entered the American Trades Bank (now the M&I Bank) on the corner of Fifth and Main Street in downtown Racine. One of the four was John Dillinger He and his gang robbed a teller of over $27,000, undeterred by the arrival of the police. Leaving the bank with their hostages -- including the bank president and three women -- they were slowed by the crowd which had gathered in the street, but eventually made their way out of town. During the robbery, they took a Model 1928 Thompson submachine gun from a police officer. The gun, with John Dillinger's signature on the stock, was recovered two months later when gang members were captured in Tucson, Arizona. Today it is on display in the police department lobby."
- section from Argus Tech Services website


  lobby of the Racine Police Headquarters
730 Center Street
Racine, WI  53403

                            

hours:
call ahead for hours

Journal Sentinel Online
(this speaks about a separate exhibit on the same subject)
article "Exhibit takes shot at Dillinger legend"

The Weylands
www.theweylands.com

Argus Tech Services
www.argus-tech.com

NFA Toys
www.nfatoys.com

Northwest Indiana Times
www.nwitimes.com

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 170 & 172

(3rd ed., 2009)
  pages 160 & 162
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 134

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Great Lakes Dragaway

 

location:  Union Grove
racing for anybody

"This hallowed Midwest facility is the longest continuously operating drag race track and open more dates then any other track in the United States...This track is more to its fans then just a great spectator seat, it also allows fanatics to take part in the thrill of drag racing themselves with many events and weekly activities that allow fans to experience the exhilaration of competition."
- section from Discover Wisconsin website

"Draco--the World's only Mutant, Bionic Mechanical, Fire-Breathing Creature with Jaws of Steel. The only one in the world of its kind! There is no other mechanical creature that can do all the thinks that are combined in the characteristics of Draco--unlike any other."
- section from Broadway Bob's website

photo courtesy of BroadwayBob.com

  18411 1st St.
Union Grove, WI  53182

                        

hours:
• April thru October  (Tues - Sun)
• November  (weekends only)

Official Site
www.greatlakesdragaway.com

Broadway Bob
www.broadwaybob.com

Journal Sentinel Online
article "Zero to 50: Track marking half century of drag racing" or (here)

Discover Racine County
story "Local luminary 'Broadway Bob' gets ready to celebrate Dragaway's 50th year of racing"

Discover Wisconsin
www.discoverwisconsin.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
pages 141 - 142

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

7

Firehouse 3 Museum

 

location:  Racine
museum

"One of three dedicated Fire Museums in Wisconsin this is a former Racine Fire Station that dates to 1882. The museum has been restored to the early 1900's and includes both horse drawn and motorized fire fighting equipment in addition to many artifacts and photos."
- section from Wisconline website


  700 Sixth Street
Racine, WI  53403
or

                        

hours:
(Sundays)  1pm – 4pm
CLOSED HOLIDAYS

Official Site
my.execpc.com

Visiting Firemen
www.visitingfireman.com

 

8

Kewpee Restaurant

 

location:  Racine
restaurant with character

      

photo courtesy of official site

"The Kewpee is famous throughout the midwest as one of the oldest and best hamburger restaurants... [Rose O'Neil] was the creator of the original Kewpie Dolls back in 1909 who once said they came to her in a dream dancing around her head...The new Kewpee retains the classic art deco look of the one built in 1939...All together the Kewpee has been in operation for over 70 years. It is part of a small franchise. It is one of the oldest franchises in the country and had over 200 restaurants east of the Mississippi before WWII."
- section from Official Site


  520 Wisconsin Ave.
Racine, WI  53403

                        

hours:
(Mon - Fri)  7am – 6pm  /  (Saturdays)  7am – 5pm
CLOSED SUNDAY

Official Site
www.kewpee.com

Road Food
www.roadfood.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

9

Chocolate City, USA

Chocolate Museum
ChocolateFest

 

location:  Burlington
self- designation / museum / event

Nestlé built its Burlington chocolate plant in 1965.  Gov. Tommy Thompson officially designated Burlington as "Chocolate City, USA" in 1989.  Eat your heart out, Ray Nagen.


"The Chocolate Museum is located at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce...Come and see our Chocolate Machine made of recycled metal and parts. We also have chocolate from around the world as well as Nestle Memoriblia (sic) on display. Free chocolate to all."
- section from the Burlington Chamber of Commerce website

  Chocolate Museum
113 East Chestnut Street
Burlington, WI  53105
(262) 763.6044

                      

hours:
ChocolateFest is held on Memorial Day weekend

Burlington Official Site
www.burlington-wi.gov

Burlington Chamber of Commerce
www.burlingtonchamber.org

ChocolateFest Official Site
www.chocolatefest.com

book:
"Great Little Museums of the Midwest"
by Christine Des Garennes
Trails Books (2002)
page 9

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

10

Chainsaw-carved Alien on Lawn

 

location:  Union Grove
roadside oddity / yard art

This certainly beats your humdrum bears and run-of-the-mill eagles any day.

  (just east of the intersection of Highways 11 & 75)
26640 Highway 11
Union Grove, WI  53139

      

 

11

Burlington UFO & Paranormal Museum

Sci-Fi Cafe
(with old fashioned ice cream parlor & gift shoppe)

 

location:  Burlington
business with character / museum

      


"The aliens are here! See the Roswell Incident, Alien Autopsy and abductions! learn about crops circles, Area 51 and the face on Mars! Meet the giants, learn of ancient races and religions, Star War and Star Trek Characters, Fairyworlds, Et, Planet of the Apes and much much more...."
- section from the official site


Also listed in the Paranormal section below.


  532 N. Pine Street
Burlington, WI 53105

            
                          

hours:
(daily)  10am – 6pm

Official Site
1. www.burlingtonnews.net/center
2. www.burlingtonnews.net/scificafe

Journal Sentinel Online
article "Cafe goes beyond food to fuel the imagination" or (here)

MySpace page

W-Tube (video)
www.thelightside.org

Meta Cafe (video)
"Roswell, Real or Not?"
www.metacafe.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 6 - 7
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

12

"The Otherworldly Sculptures of Richard Arfsten"

 

location:  Burlington
yard art

      


Linda Godfrey interviews this barn-painter by day, artist-by-all-other-times in her book "Strange Wisconsin".

  3031 Sheard Rd.
Burlington, WI  53105

Official Site(s)
www.arfstenartworks.com
or www.abstractsculpture.com
or www.steelsculpture.com
or www.contemporarysculpture.com
or www.modernartmaker.com
or www.twotrollspublishing.com
or www.abstractartmaker.com
or www.abstractprint.com
or www.architecturalsculpture.com
or...that's enough for now...Good God, man, how many domain names do you need?

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 8 - 9
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

13

Corvette on Roof
of Valenti Classics Showroom

 

location:  Caledonia
roadside oddity / advertising gimmick

photo courtesy of Roadside Architecture

  355 27th St.
Caledonia, WI  53108

Official Site
www.valenticlassics.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

14

Kraut Festival

 

location:  Franksville
event

The Franksville Kraut Fest was held annually for 52 years before being cancelled in 2003 due to lack of sponsors & funds.  It began as a Frank's Kraut company picnic and was known for its sauerkraut-eating contest and coronation of a Kraut Queen.  The festival may be brought back in some fashion in the future.

  was held in Old Settler's Park in late June

photo courtesy of sauerkraut.com
Racine County Tourism Site
www.racinecounty.com

2camels Festival List
www.2camels.com

Journal Sentinel Online
2006 article "Bid launched to revive Kraut Fest" or (here)

book:
"America Bizarro"
by Nelson Taylor
St. Martin's Press (2000)
page 214
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

 

15

James J. Strang,
Mormon "King" and Prophet

The Mormon Ghost Town of Voree

 

location:  Burlington
historical curiosity

           

Buried in Burlington Cemetery are the remains of James Strang, who in 1844, attempted to gain leadership of the Mormon Church after the death of its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.  Rejected from doing so, Strang and his followers settled west of Burlington and established the City of Voree.  In 1845, Strang discovered small brass plates buried in the "Hill of Promise" near Voree.  The plates were inscribed with the record of the "Rajah Manchou of Vorito".  Three years later, Strang and his followers pulled up stakes and moved to Beaver Island near the northern tip of Lake Michigan.  There the faithful resided until they were forced out by those opposed to their beliefs.  Strang was wounded and later died back in Voree.  Before being evicted from the island, Strang had declared himself "King" of his people.

  To Voree:  Head west 1 mile out of Burlington on Highway 36. Turn right on Mormon Road.

  To Mormon Park & the Hill of Promise:  Head west 1 mile out of Burlington on Highway 11. Turn left on Mormon Road.  Look for a small park on the right.

  To Strang's grave at Burlington Cemetery:  County Road W (S Browns Lake Dr.)

Strangite Official Site
www.strangite.org

Burlington News
www.burlingtonnews.net

Wikipedia
1. Strang en.wikipedia.org
2. Voree en.wikipedia.org
3. Voree Plates en.wikipedia.org

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 10
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wiscomical"
by John M. Russell
Oak Point Press (2003)
page 75
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Milwaukee Ghosts"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Pub. Ltd. (2008)
pages 52 - 56
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"The Assassination of a Michigan King"
by Roger Van Noord
University of Illinois Press (1997)
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"God Has Made Us a Kingdom: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons"
by Vickie Cleverley Speek
Signature Books, Inc. (2006)
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Ghost Towns of Wisconsin"
by William F. Stark
Zimmerman Press (1977)
buy it at

book:
"Weird U.S.: The Oddyssey Continues"
by Mark Moran, Mark Scuerman, Matt Lake
Sterling Pub Co Inc (2008)
pages 190 - 191
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

16

Gas Station Robots
at Schultz Automotive

 

location:  Racine
roadside oddity

    

  3953 North Main Street
Racine, WI  53402
(262)
or

 

17

Borzynski's Farm Corn Maze

 

location: Sturtevant
crop labyrinth / maize maze

"Eight acre maze, hayrides, straw bale maze, giant straw pile, petting zoo, pumpkin launch, make your own caramel apples"
- section from the official website


  11600 Washington Ave.
Sturtevant, WI  53177

            

hours:
Check official website for schedule.

photo courtesy of official site
Official Site
borzynskis.com

Corn Mazes America
www.cornmazesamerica.com

Haunted Wisconsin
www.hauntedwisconsin.com

Corn Mazes
www.cornmaze.com

 

18

Smiling Barn

 

location: Waterford
roadside oddity

One of three known giant painted smiles in the area.  The other two being ANOTHER barn near Mukwonago, and the water tower in Eagle, both of which are in Waukesha County.

  From Waterford, head west on Highway 20.  At the outskirts of town, turn right onto Highway 83.  Look for the barn after traveling about 3/4 of a mile.

photo courtesy of Ohio Barns
Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

The State Trunk Tour
www.statetrunktour.com

 

 

 

sighting / phenomenon / morbid curiosity

resources

 

1

Haunted Kmart

 
haunted
location:  Burlington

Merchandise in this store becomes animated during the late-shift.

  (located on Highway 36)
1058 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI  53105

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 232 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

2

Bosch Employees Spot UFOs  (2002)

 
UFO
location:  Sturtevant

"The week prior to this, date unknown, we were all outside at 4:00am, our lunch period, when all of a sudden over the top of the building behind us a large white, circular ball appeared coming from east to west. At the same time me and a co-worker responsed (sic) 'what is it that?'."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

3

Root River Bridge

 
haunted
location:  Caledonia

"In the 1970's when the bridge was being built and littl (sic) boy was walking through the woods and drowned in the creek below. It is said that late at night you can still see the little boy walking into the woods. He is not there to hurt anyone or cause trouble he is simply rewalking his final steps before his most tragic death."
- section from Shadowlands website

  Take Highway 38 north from Racine to County Road G near Caledonia.  Turn right.  Root River and Bridge are nearby.

book:
"The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations"
by Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk
Research Publishing Co. (2004)
pages 230 - 231

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

4

Racine UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Racine

"Just then, the object turned a little on its side, and only then could I make out the shape of an oblong triangle, the red lights being on all of its tips and a white light in its middle."
- section from UFO Wisconsin September 1990 report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

5

DeKoven Center

 
ghost
location:  Racine

A ghostly entity has been observed at this castle-like conference center built in the mid-1800's.


  600 21st St.
Racine, WI  53403

                    

hours:
call to arrange tour

photo courtesy of official site
Official Site
www.dekovencenter.pair.com

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

book:
"Milwaukee Ghosts"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Pub. Ltd. (2008)
pages 47 - 48
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Northside Mega Pick 'n Save

 
haunted
location:  Racine

"sometimes at night when the store is dead carts will move from were you put them , can goods will be stacked 10 high , lights flick on and off"
- section from Shadowlands website

  2210 Rapids Dr.
Racine, WI  53404

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

 

7

UFO Over Highway 31  (2002)

 
UFO
location:  Mount Pleasant, west of Racine

"When I looked I could see this object, that was just over the tree line and was about the size of a quarter and very bright white."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

8

Glow in the Steeple

 
    unexplained phenomenon
location:  Burlington

A mysterious glow was visible in the church's steeple in the 1970's.  When investigated, a discovery was made that may have saved the church itself! 

  St. Mary's Catholic Church
108 McHenry St.
Burlington, WI  53105

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 100

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"The W-Files"
by Jay Rath
Trails Books (1997)

pages 127 - 128
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

9

UFO Near Wind Lake  (2002)

 
UFO
location:  Wind Lake

"When I was looking at the stars when I saw something that was square shaped if stopped for about 30 seconds and then it started moving slowly and then it disappeared."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

10

Chances Restaurant & Bar

 
ghost
location:  Rochester

Ghosts are observed and paranormal activity occurs in this former site of the Union Tavern.  Seven different specters have been identified, some of which may have assisted the owners in protecting the establishment.

  205 W. Main St.
Rochester, WI  53167

Burlington News
www.burlingtonnews.net

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2001)
page 240 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
pages 109  - 120

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

11

Burlington Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Burlington

"When walking by at any time of night you get a horrible feeling of being watched and followed there used to even be some report along a small path there leads to another small cemetery where people were chased out by some mysterious things."
- section from Shadowlands website

  on County Road W (South Browns Lake Drive)

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

 

12

Diamond-shaped Craft Over Eagle Lake  (2003)

 
UFO
location:  Eagle Lake Manor, west of Union Grove

"...I took notice of what I assumed was a bird soaring directly overhead but it was at an extremely high altitude and perfectly steady. I immediately realized that the perfect diamond shape (like a playing card) was no bird."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

13

"Franksville's Strange Visitor"  (1968)

 
UFO
location:  Franksville

"Hovering motionless only 50 feet above the rooftops was a strange object. Round and silvery, it was approximately 300-400 feet in diameter...Finally, Dennis physically shook his mother, then his father. 'Mom! Dad! Did you see that light outside?'  He finally got a groggy admonishment from his father. 'You must have been drinking. Go to bed!' "
- section from Weird Wisconsin report
Weird Wisconsin
www.weird-wi.com

 

 

Living with Ghosts

 
haunted
location:  Caledonia

"and I continued to brush my hair and i saw a blonde girl come up b! ehind (sic) me....I dropped the brush and stared.... she buttoned my back and went to the window and looked out and disappeared... I fled the room screaming for my uncle...."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

15

Saucer-shaped Craft Seen Near I-94  (2003)

 
UFO
location:  Sturtevant

"But I noticed that in addition to it being circular and flat, that it also seemed to be spinning (but slowly)."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

16

Strange Objects Observed  (2004)

 
UFO
location:  Tichigan, west of Wind Lake

"Two or three of the objects are starting to move slowly toward one another right now, while the others are stationary. I also observed one very quick flash across the sky earlier."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

17

"The Mount Tom Bear"

 
ghost
location:  Burlington

A grizzled hermit may still walk the dark woodlands of Racine County years after his tragic death.

  4 miles east of Burlington on Mt. Tom Road

book:
"Weird Hauntings"
compiled by Joanne Austin
Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. (2006)

pages 137 - 139
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

Professor of English Language Sees UFO  (2007)

 
UFO
location:  Burlington

"Man that ufo was crazy..it was hummin and flyin over us we didnt know what to do..."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

19

Haunted Burlington Tours

 
ghostly sightseeing
location:  Burlington

Several different tours of the haunted Burlington area are offered by Mary Sutherland, paranormal researcher and owner of the Sci-Fi Care in Burlington.  The most popular is the Haunted Woods Tour, where many tour-goers have encountered strange feelings, images and perceptions.


  Sci-Fi Cafe:  532 N. Pine Street
Burlington, WI  53105

               

hours:
call to schedule a tour: 


Sci-Fi Cafe listed in the Attractions section above.

Official Site - Burlington News
1. Haunted Burlington
2. Haunted Tours

book:
"Milwaukee Ghosts"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Pub. Ltd. (2008)
pages 130 - 141
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 6 - 7
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

"Ghosts of America" Haunted Location Reports
(take with a grain of salt)

 
ghosts
location:  statewide

The reports on this site are presumably fiction, using random Wisconsin place names in the stories listed there.  Even so, you might get a kick out of reading them.

"The ghost of a mailman was perceived staring at a guy sleeping in an armchair in a mobile home in Racine. Several people close at hand have had identical happenings involving a quite similar ghost. If you listen to what the people who live here say, this ghost takes pleasure in terrifying foolish folks who are fearless enough to upset the quiet in Racine. Regardless of what, it is in all certainty a bloodcurdling spirit that any commonsensical person wouldn't want to meet."
- section from Ghosts of America website

Ghosts of America
www.ghostsofamerica.com

 

21

"Four Ghosts...or More?"

 
haunted
location:  Burlington

Paranormal experiences a woman has had in her very haunted apartment are described in the book "Milwaukee Ghosts".

  on Pine Street

book:
"Milwaukee Ghosts"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Pub. Ltd. (2008)
pages 61 - 63
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

22

"Pepé"

 
ghost
location:  Burlington

Included in the book "Milwaukee Ghosts" is the tale of a murdered slave named Pepé, whose spirit now haunts a family's home.

book:
"Milwaukee Ghosts"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Pub. Ltd. (2008)
pages 73 - 75
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

 

taste of local history

resources

 

1

Oak Clearing Farm & Museum

 

location:  Union Grove
museum

"Learn all about turn of the century Racine County when visiting the Oak Clearing Farm. A variety of exhibits fill the buildings on the farm grounds. The Old Fore Exhibit, housed in the lower level of a barn, recreates a blacksmith/forge/machinery shop. Upstairs is the fanning mill museum and a gallery display of historical photos. Also be sure to visit the bottle museum, with displays of Racine Brewery bottles."
- section from Explore Wisconsin website


  704 Oak Clearing Drive
Union Grove, WI  53182

                   

hours:
May thru September  (Sat & Sun)

Racine History
www.racinehistory.com

 

2

Racine County Historical Museum

 

location:  Racine
museum

"Housed in a registered historic landmark building, the Racine County Heritage Museum is the largest in the county devoted to the preservation and use of artifacts and archived materials for the general public. Through exhibits, events and educational programs, it disseminates information about people, culture and events from 1830 to the present. In addition to three floors of exhibits, the museum includes a sales shop and archive."
- section from Argus Tech Services website


  701 S Main St.
Racine, WI  53403

                   

hours:
(Tues - Fri)  9am – 5pm  /  (Sat & Sun)  1pm – 5pm

Official Site
www.racineheritagemuseum.org

Argus Tech Services
www.argus-tech.com

 

3

Burlington Historical Museum & Pioneer Log Cabin

 

location:  Burlington
museum

"Historical and genealogical information on, and historical artifacts from, Burlington and the surrounding area...An extensive photograph and negative collection...Artifacts from the world famous Burlington Liars Club...Information on the Mormon settlement at Voree...Information on the Burlington area connections on the Underground Railroad...A turn-of-the-century kitchen and Victorian-era parlor display."
"The Society's Pioneer Log Cabin is one block north of the Museum in Wehmhoff Square (a downtown park)...The cabin is furnished as a post-Civil War farming family's home. Adjoining the cabin is a display of the area's agricultural history and period tools, along with a flower garden and a cabin garden where, depending on the year, vegetables or other crops are grown."

- section from Burlington Historical Society website


  232 N. Perkins Boulevard
Burlington, WI  53105
or or

                

museum hours:
(Sundays)  1pm – 4pm

log cabin hours:
May thru October  (Sundays)  1pm – 4pm

Burlington Historical Society
www.burlingtonhistory.org

Argus Tech Services
www.argus-tech.com

 

4

Wind Point Lighthouse

 

location:  Racine
lighthouse

"Built in 1880 -- at a total cost of $100,000 -- the 112-foot lighthouse helped make Racine a safe harbor. Before the lighthouse's beacon began guiding Lake Michigan boaters, a lone tree served as a landmark for sailors off the Point. Today, the lighthouse buildings serve as municipal offices for the Village of Wind Point. Though the Lighthouse interior is not open to the public, visitors can stroll the grounds and enjoy the view."
- section from Racine.wi.net


  From Highway 32 (Douglas Avenue), head east on 3 Mile Road.  Turn left on Lighthouse Drive all the way to the lighthouse.

                

hours:
(daily) sunrise – 11pm
Tours to the Top:  1st Sunday in July, August & September.
Tours run from 10am
– 5pm

Official Site
www.windpointwi.us

Seeing the Light
www.terrypepper.com

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

Racine Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.racine.org

Journal Times
2007 article "Help Wanted: Wind Point lighthouse keeper"

Journal Sentinel Online
2007 article "Want to live here?" or (here)

book:
"Lighthouses of Wisconsin"
by Bruce Roberts & Ray Jones
Globe Pequot Press (2006)
pages 14 - 15
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lighthouses"
by Ken Wardius & Barb Wardius
Big Earth Publishing (2000)
pages 107 - 109
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

Racine Harbor (Root River) Lighthouse

 

location:  Racine
lighthouse

"The settlement of Racine took root here in 1834, and the community had its own lighthouse by 1837. Protective piers were extended from the harbor and river out into Lake Michigan in 1864, and the following year a new lighthouse was built on an expanded portion of the northern pier. In the late 1890s, a pair of breakwaters were extended even farther into Lake Michigan. A steel tower was used to mark the end of the northern breakwater in 1902, and the 1865 Root River Lighthouse was deemed unnecessary. Its lantern room was removed and the structure was modified to house a keeper and an assistant who were responsible for the breakwater light."
- section from Lighthouse Friends website


  From Highway 32 (Main Street), just north of the Root River, head east onto Dodge Street.  After 2 blocks, turn left onto Michigan Blvd., then immediately right onto Reichert Court.  Continue down to the end of the road.

                             

hours:
building not open to the public

US Lighthouses
www.us-lighthouses.com

Seeing the Light
www.terrypepper.com

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

book:
"Lost Lighthouses: Stories and Images of Americas Vanished Lighthouses"
by Timothy Harrison & Ray Jones
Globe Pequot Press (1999)
page 151
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Racine Breakwater Lighthouse

 

location:  Racine
lighthouse

"As the breakwaters forming the entrance to Racine Harbor were extended into Lake Michigan, a separate light to mark them became necessary. A wooden tower was positioned on the northern pier as early as 1872. As further improvements to the harbor were made, a steel tower was placed on the breakwater with an elevated catwalk providing access to the lantern. The same tower was also located at one time on a separate crib where it was outfitted with a fog horn in addition to a bell. The Coast Guard planned to dispose of the tower in 1987, but the community had grown fond of the structure and fought to save it. Today, the tower, without a light, stands as an ornament on the northern breakwater. A more modern skeletal tower marks the southern breakwater."
- section from Lighthouse Friends website

  From Highway 32 (Main Street), 3 blocks south of the Root River in Racine, turn east onto Christopher Columbus Causeway.  Continue through the Marina until you reach a parking lot.  A viewing platform is nearby. 

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

US Lighthouses
www.us-lighthouses.com

Seeing the Light
www.terrypepper.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lighthouses"
by Ken Wardius & Barb Wardius
Big Earth Publishing (2000)
pages 112 - 113
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Lighthouses of Wisconsin"
by Bruce Roberts & Ray Jones
Globe Pequot Press (2006)
page 21
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

More Racine County historical attractions listed at:

Explore Wisconsin

          

Racine Visitors Guide

           

Argus Tech Services

 


updated 11-10-09  •  all images excluding those attributed to others are property of Wisconsinosity.com