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Beloit

                

Janesville

map provided by Delorme mapping software

map provided by Delorme mapping software

 

 

attractions & oddities

resources

 

1

Angel Museum

 

location:  Beloit
museum

"Restore your soul as you walk among the largest privately held angel collection in the world-the Berg Collection. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, and visited by people from around the world, the Angel Museum displays several thousand of the more than 12,000 Angels in the Berg collection and the more than 900 black angels donated by TV host Oprah Winfrey. Displays rotate several times a year. Groups may enjoy lunch or dessert in A Taste of Heaven Café by special arrangement. Make sure to visit the Heavenly Treasures Gift Shop and take home ‘a little bit of heaven’."
- section from  Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau website

photo courtesy of Beloit Convention & Visitors Bureau website

  656 Pleasant St.
Beloit, WI  53511

    

hours:
• February thru December  (Tues - Sat)  10am – 4pm
• plus, June thru August  (Sundays)  1pm – 4pm
CLOSED HOLIDAYS

Official Site
www.angelmuseum.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau
www.visitbeloit.com

MKE Online
www.mkeonline.com

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 119 - 120

(3rd ed., 2009)
  page 115
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
pages 97 - 98

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Great Little Museums of the Midwest"
by Christine Des Garennes
Trails Books (2002)
pages 5 - 6

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Eccentric America"
by Jan Friedman
Globe Pequot Press (2nd ed., 2004)
page 85

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

2

World's Largest Replica Train Engine
atop pedestrian bridge over rock river

 

location:  Beloit
record holder / roadside oddity

"A civic donation of the Wood Family, the fishing bridge was designed by artist Siah Armajani. The modern structure rests on top of an old railroad trestle, which served Beloit’s industries from 1926 to 1986. The handicap accessible Fishing Bridge boasts an aluminum shell replica of a Fairbanks-Morse locomotive engine."
- section from  Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau website

  Wood Family Fishing Bridge
South of the Portland Avenue Bridge
intersection of Riverside Drive and Portland Ave
Beloit, WI  53511

photo courtesy of Jeff Dallas
Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau
1. parks
2. public art

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Beloit College
www.beloit.edu

Community Webshots
community.webshots.com

 

3

Two-Story Privy
at the Lincoln-Tallman House

 

location:  Janesville
museum oddity

"The home features large walk-in closets, a complete water system, central heating, and an indoor privy. These comforts, plus marble mantels, enameled grates, wall to wall carpeting and porcelain wash basins, were all available at mid century to the small class of moneyed families that could afford them. Gas pipes were installed in 1857 anticipating the gasoliers hung in 1870. In 1871, the Lincoln-Tallman house was called the finest and most costly residence in Wisconsin."
- section from Rock County Historical Society website


Also listed in the History section below.


  Rock County Historical Society Museum
440 N Jackson St
.
Janesville, WI  53548

            

hours:
(Wed & Thurs)   9am – 3pm
CLOSED HOLIDAYS

Rock County Historical Society
(click link on left of page for 
Lincoln-Tallman House)

www.rchs.us

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

 

4

Bessie the Giant Cow
at the Oasis Cheese & Gift Shop

 

location:  Janesville
roadside oddity / bovine behemoth

Another in the list of the Dairy State's giant cows.  It looks to be a match for the ones in Manitowoc, Neillsville and DeForest, with a paint job similar to the cow in Waukesha.

  3401 Milton Ave. (Highway 26)
Janesville, WI  53545

Official Site
gotcheeseoasis.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Thom.org
www.thom.org

Roadside Peek
www.roadsidepeek.com

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 74
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 114

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Great Little Museums of the Midwest"
by Christine Des Garennes
Trails Books (2002)
page 11

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

Giant Pumpkin on Top of Silo
at Meyer's Farm Market

 

location:  Milton / Janesville
roadside oddity

Another FAST Corp masterpiece.

  From Milton, head southwest on County Road Y for 1 mile.  Turn right (west) onto E. M-H Townline Road.  Head west for about 2 miles (passing under Highway I-90) to the farm.

  From Janesville (starting at Highway I-90), head west on Highway 14 for 1½ miles.  Turn right on N Newville Road and continue north for 2½ miles.  Turn right on E. M-H Townline Road. The farm is on the north side of the road.

  1329 E. M-H Townline Rd.
Milton, WI  53563

Official Site
www.meyersfarmmarket.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Fast Corp
www.fastkorp.com

 

6

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man
(in a campground somewhere)

 

location:  Clinton
Muffler Man

 

This Paul Bunyan's location has been hard to verify.  The only campground listed around Clinton has apparently closed.

  Perhaps at OAKS CAMPGROUND (now closed)???
8031 E State Line Road
Clinton, WI  53525

Roadside America
1. (with photo) www.roadsideamerica.com
2. Bunyan List
3. Muffler Man List
4. Muffler Men Explained

World's Largest Roadside Attractions
www.wlra.us

 

7

Chevy Pickup Tree House

 

location:  Clinton
roadside oddity

"When Luke Madson told his dad, Mark, he needed some help to build a Tree House, he had no idea what he was in for. It seems as if the tree was made to hold this truck, because it fits perfectly between the two massive trunks of the tree.  It fits so tight in fact, that Luke and his buddies have to crawl in through the windows, 'Dukes of Hazzard' style."
- section from Official Site

  (north side of Highway I-43 just northwest of Clinton)
8729 East Little Lane
Clinton, WI  53525

Official Site
(click on "Tree House" link)
(Make sure to check out the "Hot Rod Heaven" link as well.  It's a shame that the mailbox pictured isn't still in use, but it's understandable why you wouldn't want to keep it out by the road where scumbags could steal it again.  Also on this page is the Big Block weather vane.)

www.harleyheartbeat.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Journal Sentinel Online
(related story about pickup owner)
article "Giant flag painted across Racine field" or (here)

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 5
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 120 - 121

(3rd ed., 2009)
  pages 116 - 117
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 13 - 15
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

8

Birthplace of 'Miracle' the White Buffalo

 

location:  Janesville
sacred wonder

      

This statue (left) sits outside the gift shop & museum, where Miracle's now-brown-furred body is on display (right).

"Miracle, the Sacred White Female Buffalo Calf, was born on the farm of Dave, Valerie, and Corey Heider near Janesville, Wisconsin during the morning of August 20, 1994.  Not an albino, she was considered to be the first white buffalo calf born since 1933.  Furthermore, she was extremely important to the religious beliefs of many American Indian and Canadian First Nations tribes...The Heider Farm is still open to visitors who wish to come pray or pay their respects at Miracle's Grave."
- section from Official Site


  2739 S. River Road
Janesville, WI  53546

                

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  10am – 4pm  (Sundays) by appointment

Official Site
www.homestead.com/
WhiteBuffaloMiracle

article "Miracle"  by Tom Laskin
www.kstrom.net/isk/arvol/whitbuff.html

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
pages 60 - 61
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press  (1st ed., 2000)
pages 125
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
pages 114 - 115

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com  

 

9

Underground Railroad Tunnel
at the Milton House Museum

 

location:  Milton
historic structure / museum

      

photo courtesy of official site

"Visitors also tour the log cabin built in 1837 that served as a tunnel to the Milton House and was a hideout in the Underground Railroad."
- section from Explore Wisconsin website


  18 S Janesville St.
Milton, WI  53563
or

             

hours:
• May  (Sat & Sun)  10am – 5pm
• Memorial Day thru Labor Day  (daily)  10am – 5pm
• September thru October by appointment only


Also listed in the History section below.

            

Also listed in the Paranormal section below.

Official Site
www.miltonhouse.org

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 148 - 149

(3rd ed., 2009)
  pages 143 - 144 & 145
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 123

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wisconsin Underground"
by Doris Green
Trails Media Group, Inc. (2000)
pages 115 - 117
buy it at 
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"The Wisconsin Story: 150 Stories/150 Years"
by Dennis McCann
Journal Sentinel Inc (1998)
page 85
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com  

 

10

World's Largest " Can of Chili"
in front of the Hormel Plant

 

location:  Beloit
roadside oddity / record holder

The "can" is painted on a storage tank outside the factory.

  (visible from west side of Highway I-90)
3000 Kennedy Dr.
Beloit, WI  53511

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

World's Largest Roadside Attractions
www.wlra.us

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 98

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

11

Mr. Lucky

     

 

location:  Janesville
roadside oddity

In the book "Oddball Wisconsin", author Jerome Pohlen hints at a bit of humorous yard decorating south of Janesville.

UPDATE:  After a visit to the address, no sign of Mr. Lucky is evident.

  Head ½ mile south of Janesville on Highway 51, then turn right (west) on W Avalon Road for less than a mile.
2214 W. Avalon Road
Janesville, WI  53546

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 115

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

12

Pirate Ship in the Park
at Turtle Island Playground

 

location:  Beloit
roadside oddity

"Where crumbling industrial infrastructure once stood, a sparkling white corporate headquarters now occupies the high ground above the new Rotary River Center and a playground built around an 18th Century 'shipwrecked' galleon."
- section from Village Profile website

  Riverside Park on the Rock River
Riverside Drive (Highway 51)
Beloit, WI  53511

Village Profile
www.villageprofile.com

 

13

Nick's Circus Drive-In

 

location:  Beloit
vintage architecture

"Just north of Beloit on U.S. 51 is the Circus Drive In. Curb service is provided by women who were probably doing it in the 50s. Buy a souvenir t-shirt and get a discount every visit all year!"
- section from Thom.org website


  3525 S Riverside Dr.
Beloit, WI  53511

                

hours:
mid-March thru September  (Tues - Sun)  11am – 8pm
(Mondays)  4pm – 8pm

Thom.org
www.thom.org

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

14

Paddleboat-Shaped Strip Bar
Diamond Jim's Gentleman's Club

 

location:  Beloit
unique architecture

  (northwest corner of Highway 51 & W BR Townline Road)
6530 S US Highway 51
Beloit, WI  53511

Official Site
diamond-jims.net
Warning:  There's a few skin pics on this site, so proceed with caution.

 

15

Metal Man on Roof
at Lyons Mechanical Contractors Inc.

 

location:  Janesville
roadside robot

  2020 Center Ave.
Janesville, WI  53546

      

 

16

Cheese Mouse Statue on Roof
at Cornellier's Superstore

 

location:  Beloit
roadside oddity

It seems to be the same variety of mouse as the Arena Cheese mouse in Dane County and Mauston's Park Oasis mouse in Juneau County.

  2970 Milwaukee Road
Beloit, WI 
53511

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

17

Apple-shaped Water Tower

 

location:  Newville / Edgerton
roadside oddity

      

  at intersection of Highways I-90 & 59 at Exit 163

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Flickr photo by Mykl Roventine
www.flickr.com

Flickr photo by Brettsky
www.flickr.com

 

18

Giant Bowling Pin
outside River's Edge Bowl

 

location:  Janesville
roadside oddity

  215 S River St.
Janesville, WI  53548

photo courtesy of Happy Phantom on Flickr
Official Site
riversedge.2gobowl.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Flickr
www.flickr.com

 

19

"Big J's Yard Sculptures"

 

location:  Milton
roadside oddity / yard art

In her book "Strange Wisconsin", author Linda Godfrey tells of the late Ron Jelinek, whose scrap metal sculptures can still be seen on his family's property.

UPDATE:  As of June 2008, the metal dino skeleton (shown at right) is the only thing visible from the road.

  8015 E County Road N
Milton, WI  53563

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 84 - 85 & cover
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

20

Skelly's Farm Market Corn Maze

 

location:  Janesville
crop labyrinth / maize maze

"This year (2008), try our seven acre 'Get Lost in a Good Book' Choose-Your-Own-Adventure corn maze. This maze has 2 miles of paths (don't worry, you hopefully will not have to walk that far) that takes you on an adventure with three bears searching for their way home. You will meet some interesting characters along the way, but watch out: if you choose the wrong path you may become lost forever! This family oriented maze is fun for the entire family."
- section from official website

  2713 Hayner Road
Janesville, WI  53548

photo courtesy of official site
Official Site
www.skellysfarmmarket.com

Corn Mazes America
www.cornmazesamerica.com

 

 

21

Wheel-In Corn Maze

 

location:  Clinton
crop labyrinth / maize maze

"Loads of pumpkins and gourds. Ride the pumpkin wagons to pick your own pumpkin or choose one by the barn. Craft barn, Grandpa's House for hot dogs and popcorn, haunted barn and great 5 acre corn maze. Great family fun ! Schools welcome!"
- section from official website

  7017 S. Carvers Rock Rd.
Clinton, WI  53525
/

photo courtesy of official site
Official Site
thepumpkindirectory.com

Corn Mazes America
www.cornmazesamerica.com

Halloween Attractions
www.halloweenattractions.com

 

 

 

natural feature / altered landscape

resources

 

1

Effigy Mounds

 

location:  Beloit
indian mounds

"Take a self-guided tour of Beloit College to discover the twenty- three conical, linear, and animal shaped effigy mounds scattered throughout the campus. Built around AD 700 to AD 1200 by Native Americans, the mounds are believed to have helped define territories, build family unity, and in some cases used as final resting places for tribal members. Once estimated to number as high as 20,000, the Beloit College Effigy Mounds now represent a few of the less than 3,000 remaining mounds in North America. Many of the tools and broken pottery excavated can be seen in the permanent collection of the Beloit College Logan Museum of Anthropology."
- section from Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau website

  Beloit College campus
700 College Street
Beloit, WI  53511

Beloit College
www.beloit.edu

 

 

 

sighting / phenomenon / morbid curiosity

resources

 

1

Beloit UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Beloit

"As the airplane got closer to the light, the bright light in the center, changed shapes, it got oblonged and grew 2 armlike looking things from it (like a stick person without the legs)."
- section from UFO Wisconsin 07-13-01 report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

Beloit Daily News
article "UFOs buzzing Beloit?"

 

2

Weary Road

 
    haunted road
location:  Evansville / Stoughton

Weary Road is a lane-and-a-half-wide street that is bordered by some very large trees and a drainage canal.

      

This is the bridge where you are supposed to encounter Old Man Weary's specter at night.

The ghost of Old Man Weary is said to haunt this rural road.  If you park on the bridge at night and turn off your cars engine, beware.  Word has it that it takes three separate visits to the bridge to provoke an encounter.
Note: Some websites list Weary Road as being near Stoughton.  Well, it's a hell of a lot closer to Evansville.

REVIEW:  After a visit to Weary Road (in the daytime), it does indeed give off an odd vibe.  There was an abandoned car with the word "HELP" written on the windshield in duct tape (probably by high schoolers) near the bridge.

  Head 2 miles east out of Evansville on Highway 14.
Turn right onto Weary Road.  Look for the bridge.

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
pages 214 - 206 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations"
by Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk
Research Publishing Co. (2004)
pages 210 - 216

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 31 - 33
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

3

Alleged Alien Abduction  (1966)

 
aliens
location:  Edgerton

"I had dreams (lucid) for several nights after that where I was a member of a bee colony. I knew I had a role to play and I was indeed a part of a mass conscienceness (sic)... Heavy thoughts for a 9 year old..."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

4

Janesville UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Janesville

"We have entered the woods only a few times with about 7 people each time. Once inside we would all see a strange set of lights hovering above the woods and would sometimes see a white person-like being staring at us in the woods."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report - 08-15-98 story

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

5

Fulton Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location: fulton, southwest of Edgerton

Paranormal activity has been reported.  See links at right.

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group
www.paranormalresearchgroup

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 87 - 90
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Evansville House

 
haunted
location:  Evansville

"Late one winter night, during the time that the Van Patten's owned the house, the "phantom walker" made his first appearance. The sound was described as someone wearing heavy boots, pacing back and forth down the hallways at night. Whenever someone would check to see if anyone was in the hall, the sound would stop and the corridor would be found to be empty."
- section from Prairie Ghosts article
Prairie Ghosts
www.prairieghosts.com

The W-Files
w-files.com

Unsolved Mysteries
www.unsolvedmysteries.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lore"
by Robert E. Gard & L.G. Sorden
Heartland Press (1962, 1987)

pages 40 - 42
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
pages 184 - 186

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Ghostly Tales of Wisconsin"
by Ryan Jacobson
Adventure Publications, Inc. (2009)
pages 80 - 81
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

7

Frozen Alligator Found Near Rock River  (1892)

 
    out-of-place animal
location:  Janesville

"How had this creature from a warm climate made its way to Janesville, in winter no less?"
- section from Weird Wisconsin article
Weird Wisconsin
www.weird-wi.com

 

8

Milton UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Milton

"I look up in the sky and above the field behind our garage maybe 200 ft above the ground and 200 ft back was a round metal object with a row of what looked like round windows and they were spinning separate from the craft just up from the middle, didn't make a sound."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report - June 1971 story

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

9

UFO Observed During Ghost Hunt  (2003)

 
UFO
location:  Avalon

"Upon preparing to leave, we noticed a multi-colored spherical shaped object in the far sky. It changed colors within a set pattern, from yellow to red to blue to a greenish hue back to yellow, and remained mainly stationary."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

10

Memorial Community Hospital

 
ghost
location:  Edgerton

The hospital is supposedly haunted by a former nurse.

  313 Stoughton Rd.
Edgerton, WI  53534

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
page 122
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

11

UFO Over the Hayfield  (2002)

 
UFO
location:  newark township, west of Beloit

"It had streak (iridescent green) behind it like it was going very fast. It went back and forth at different angles until it just took off even faster and we lost sight of it."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

12

UFO Seen During Lunar Eclipse (2003)

 
UFO
location:  Clinton

"Also it seemed to be shining a red light down into the forest as if it were looking for something."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

13

Avon Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Brodhead (Green County)

"Nellie BRACE was about 16 years old when she got the typhoid fever. Typhoid fever was very contagious and very deadly back then, and most people did not survive it. Nellie was buried in the Avon Cemetery with only the undertaker, Mr. SCHILLING, present. There was no funeral and the burial was done as quickly as possible. Religious people would consider this burial spot as unholy ground because there was no blessing for the passing of the spirit. Sixteen was, at that time, the age of majority which brought many new issues into a person's life, especially to girls, and so Nellie died with these issues unresolved. The fever was also a very violent death. These things set the scene for a haunting...Several people claimed that the spirit at Avon Cemetery spoke to them and identified herself as Nellie BRACE."
- section from Roots Web website

  From Brodhead, head 1 mile south on Highway 11.  Turn left onto Highway 81.  After 3½ miles, turn right onto Avon Store Road.  The cemetery will be on your right.

Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX)
www.hauntedwi.com

Roots Web
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com

 

14

Milton House

 
haunted
location:  Milton

In her book "Strange Wisconsin", author Linda Godfrey tells of the strange happenings reported in this historic structure.

  18 S Janesville St.
Milton, WI  53563
or


Hours and more information listed in the History section below.

               

Also listed in the Attractions section above.

Official Site
www.miltonhouse.org

Janesville Gazette
article "Haunted by history" or (here)

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 86
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 123 - 124
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

15

"Lima Marsh Monster"

 
bigfoot
location:  Lima Center / Milton

A large, hairy, bipedal beast is witnessed on at least two different occasions in the general area of the Lima Marsh wildlife preserve.

  Lima Marsh is located northeast of Milton

Janesville Gazette
article "Big Foot sighting raises hairs" or (here)

CNB-Scene
www.cnb-scene.com

Cryptomundo
www.cryptomundo.com

Bigfoot Forums
www.bigfootforums.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 64 -  67
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

16

Spaulding House
"Janesville's Haunted Antique Store"

 
haunted
location:  Janesville

Strange goings-on have been witnessed by employees and customers alike in this old brick building, now home to Outdoor Events Event Planning & Catering.

  3941 Milton Ave.
Janesville, WI  53546
was   [now ]

Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group
paranormalresearchgroup.com

Outdoor Events Official Site
(no mention of ghosts)
www.outdooreventswi.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 43 - 44
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 112 - 114
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

17

Bright Lights in Sky  (2005)

 
UFO
location:  Edgerton

"The blinking lights were bright enough to light up the whole sky, which was cloudy so it looked pretty cool."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.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 spirit of a security guard with a bullet hole in his forehead can be witnessed very often by Fulton Dam late in the night staring at the water."
- section from Ghosts of America website

Ghosts of America
www.ghostsofamerica.com

 

19

Scotch Hill Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Brodhead (Green County)

"Scotch Hill is said to be haunted by the cries of a twin baby that died at birth. Kids still went to Scotch Hill when I was in High School but no one went to the Avon Cemetery any more. The ominous wailing moans, freezing chills, and sightings of the full apparitions of a young girl were a bit too much of an adventure for anyone."
- section from Roots Web website

  From Brodhead, head north on Highway 104.  After less than a mile, turn right onto W Footville Brodhead Road.  Take first left onto S Scotch Hill Road.  Cemetery will be on your left.

Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX)
www.hauntedwi.com

Roots Web
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com

 

 

20

Sweet Repeats Consignment Store

 
haunted
location:  Beloit

Unexplained events at this location have provoked the investigation as to whether or not their origins are paranormal.

  1101 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Beloit, WI  53511

Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group
www.paranormalresearchgroup

 

21

McNeel Middle School

 
haunted
location:  Beloit

"In the backroom of the stage where all of the costumes are kept and sometimes students gather to discuss or do homework during free time there is said to be a man who used to live on that spot where McNeel was built who haunts it. One of the worst experiences was when the Theatre teacher Ms. Franze was sleeping on the couch and when she awoke there was blood everywhere and students soon pointed out that she had an electricity plug stuck into the back of her head. The ghost also writes in the mirror hanging on the wall and slams the door. There's a chalkboard in the room on which 666 will be scratched and no one will be able to erase it and then a few days later disappear and then reappear. It's very quiet back there and there's always a dark feeling like you're not supposed to be in there. Ceiling tiles also fall down but only if someone had been standing there just seconds before. This has happened on many occasions."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  1524 Frederick Street
Beloit, WI  53511

Strange USA
www.strangeusa.net

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

Beloit Daily News
article "Is Beloit haunted?" or (here)

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
page 151
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

22

Lappin-Gessert-Rossiter Home
private property

 
ghost
location:  Janesville

Prominent among the unexplained events in this historic home is the presence of a young girl who has been seen clad in a century-old style dress.

  404 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Janesville, WI  53545

Kindred Spirits Paranormal
www.kindredspiritsparanormal.net

 

23

Milton High School

 
haunted
location:  Milton

"In rooms 145-148 there are two ghostly figures of old teachers that are seen. They died when the school caught fire in the 60's. If you sit in any desks one of the women will walk past you and give you an evil look. You’ll feel very disoriented and uncomfortable. If you look at the chalkboard you'll see that the names of all the children these two punished are writing there. You can't erase them. Also, if you were to sit in the Auditorium that was just built, you will hear the curtains open slightly and then fall to the floor."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  114 W High St.
Milton, WI  53563

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
page 155
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

24

Oak Hill Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Janesville

"Reports of a lady in White & many white figments float through the air.  June 2008 Investigation: The reports of a woman in white is easily dismissed because of the very lifelike statue that is illuminated by lights all around it. It's very scary, but definitely not a ghost. Also, the white lights throughout the cemetery are markers so that people don’t trip at night. Regardless, they are just lights. Also, people leave the covered candles by graves and create the same effect, only creepier, as they flicker in the wind sometimes. No paranormal activity."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  1725 N Washington St.
Janesville, WI  53548

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 63 - 65
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

25

Old Towne Mall

 
ghost
location:  Janesville

"A local merchant was staying late one night to complete some work. He describes hearing the doors to back door of his business shake uncontrollably. When he went to investigate, the same thing happened to the front glass doors where he witnessed the doors shake, but could see right through them to find no one there. There has also been witnesses claiming doors opening in front of people to find no one in site. A student taking a late-night class in the lower level of the mall had left the classroom to use the bathroom. While he was in the stall, He looked through the crack of the stall to see the door to the bathroom open fully, stay open for about 1 minute, then close slowly. He stated he could see right out into the hallway, but no one was there! He describes the door as a heavy, wooden door with a clasp that has to be pushed in before the door can open."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  20 S Main St.
Janesville, WI  53545

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

Kindred Spirits Paranormal
www.kindredspiritsparanormal.net

Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group
www.paranormalresearchgroup

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 66 - 67
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

26

Union Hall
(formerly the Carpenter Mansion)

 
haunted
location:  Beloit

This former stop on the Underground Railroad has had reported paranormal activity.

  1620 Shore Drive
Beloit, WI  53511

Kindred Spirits Paranormal
www.kindredspiritsparanormal.net

 

27

UW-Rock County's Kirk Denmark Theater

 
haunted
location:  Janesville

"There have been the sound of doors opening and closing, lights going on or off, the sound of someone "whispering" in the theater. Witnesses have heard the doors open and people "talking" when no one was present. It is reported to be the spirit of a theater instructor by some, a director by others."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  2909 Kellogg Ave.
Janesville, WI 53546

The Shadowlands
theshadowlands.net

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
page 175
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

"Practical Joker"

 
ghost
location:  Janesville

In the book "Spooky Wisconsin" is the tale of a man whose penchant for irritating family & neighbors with incessant pranks continued even after his demise.

book:
"Spooky Wisconsin"
by S. E. Schlosser
Globe Pequot Press (2008)
pages 12 - 19
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

 

taste of local history

resources

 

1

Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead

 

location:  Beloit
museum

"Step back in time and view how life was in the Mid-1800’s in this artfully restored 1857 Victorian homestead, barn, and 1873 one-room schoolhouse. Fine period furnishings and a newly restored kitchen show how ‘the upper middle class’ lived at the turn of the century."
- section from the Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau website


  2149 St. Lawrence Ave.
Beloit, WI  53511

                

hours:
June thru September  (Fri - Sun)  1pm – 4pm

Official Site
www.ticon.net/~beloiths/hanchett.htm

Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau
www.visitbeloit.com

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

 

2

Rock County Historical Museum
Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center
& Lincoln-Tallman House

 

location:  Janesville
museum

"The Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center features a gift shop, staff offices, conference room and education rooms...The official site of Janesville's Award Winning historic house museum, the Lincoln-Tallman House.  Tour all five levels from basement to cupola of this Italian villa style mansion where Abraham Lincoln was a guest in 1859..."
- section from the Rock County Historical Society website


  440 & 426 N Jackson St.
Janesville, WI  53548
or

                   

hours:
(daily)  9am – 4pm


Also listed in the Attractions section above.

                

Also reportedly haunted:

book:
"Ghosts of Madison, Wisconsin"
by Sherry Strub
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd (2008)
pages 125  - 127
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

Rock County Historical Society
www.rchs.us

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

book:
"The Wisconsin Story: 150 Stories/150 Years"
by Dennis McCann
Journal Sentinel Inc (1998)
page 132
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

3

Stone Water Tower
and Water Works Pump House

 

location:  Beloit
historic structure

"Make sure to stop at the Water Works Pump House Visitor Information Center while visiting Beloit. Built in 1885, the pump house was the site of Beloit’s first municipal water system."
- section from the Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau website


  1003 Pleasant Street
Beloit, WI  53511
or (800) 4-BELOIT

                

hours:
May thru October  (Mon - Fri)  9am – 5pm
(Saturdays)  9am – 3pm

Beloit Visitors & Convention Bureau
www.visitbeloit.com

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

Community Webshots
community.webshots.com

 

4

Tobacco City Museum

 

location:  Edgerton
museum

"Edgerton's downtown is a treasure trove of history. Its museums, points of interest and historic buildings take you back to another era when the town was "The Tobacco Capital of the World." The area's rich heritage is chronicled through photos, artifacts and changing displays in the Tobacco City Museum on Fulton St."
- section from the Edgerton Official Site


  210 W Fulton St.
Edgerton, WI  53534

                

hours:
February thru mid-December  (Mon - Fri)  8am – 4pm

Edgerton Official Site
www.edgertonwisconsin.com

Tobacco Heritage Days
www.tobaccoheritagedays.com

 

5

Sterling North Home and Museum

 

location:  Edgerton
museum

"The home where author Sterling North lived with his pet raccoon. The home and outdoor sites are restored to their 1918 appearance."
- section from the Portal Wisconsin website


  409 W Rollin St.
Edgerton, WI  53534

                 

April thru December  (Sundays)  1pm – 5pm or by appointment

Official Site
www.sterlingnorth.com

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 107
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Milton House

 

location:  Milton
historic structure / museum

"Guided tours of the Milton House take visitors through the 1844 hexagonal stagecoach inn - considered to be the oldest poured concrete building in the U.S., a blacksmith shop, a smokehouse, a buggy shed and a country store. Visitors also tour the log cabin built in 1837 that served as a tunnel to the Milton House and was a hideout in the Underground Railroad. The Milton Historical Society sponsors many special events and exhibits on the Milton House grounds throughout the year."
- section from the Explore Wisconsin website


  18 S Janesville St.
Milton, WI  53563
or

                

hours:
• May  (Sat & Sun)  10am – 5pm
• Memorial Day thru Labor Day  (daily)  10am – 5pm
• September thru October by appointment only


Also listed in the Attractions section above.

         

Also listed in the Paranormal section above.

Official Site
www.miltonhouse.org

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

book:
"Wisconsin Underground"
by Doris Green
Trails Media Group, Inc. (2000)
pages
buy it at 

buy it at 
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"The Wisconsin Story: 150 Stories/150 Years"
by Dennis McCann
Journal Sentinel Inc (1998)
page 85
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com  

 

7

Beckman Mill

 

location:  Beloit
historic structure

"On the grounds of the 50-acre county park you will see an authentically restored 1868 grist mill, a new dam, mill pond,fish ladder, foot bridge, saw mill display, 1840s cooperage, visitor center, gift shop, creamery, blacksmith shop, picnic shelter, vintage garden, nature trail and more. The showpiece of the park is the Beckman Mill, the restoration of which was completed in 1997 by the Friends of Beckman Mill’s volunteer work crew. It is operational with power being supplied by its original 1860s water driven Leffel turbine. In the event alternate power is needed, the mill can be operated by its vintage two-cylinder gasoline engine. The mill was built shortly after the Civil War by millwright William Howe of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. In 1882 it was acquired by August Beckmann who had previously operated mills in nearby Juda and Hanover. The mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977."
- section from the official site


  11600 South County Road H
Beloit, WI  53511
schedule tour:

                            

hours:
grounds:  (daily)  5am – 10pm
tours:  May thru October  (Sat & Sun)  1pm – 4pm

Official Site
www.beckmanmill.org

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

 

More Rock County historical attractions at:

 

 

 

ribs

pit master

 

1

Famous Dave's

sauces:  Rich & Sassy / Sweet & Zesty / Devil's Spit / Smokey Chipotle / Georgia Mustard / Texas Pit / Hot & Sassy

The Official Unofficial Sustenance Provider of Wisconsinosity.  Enjoy the rib platters and catfish fingers.

 3030 Milton Ave.
Janesville, WI  53545

Official Site
www.famousdaves.com

 


updated 04-21-09  •  all images excluding those attributed to others are property of Wisconsinosity.com