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attractions & oddities

resources

 

1

Garden of Eden

Statue of Reverend Van Slyke

 

location:  Galesville
historical oddity

      


"In 1869, a Galesville minister published a small booklet titled "The Garden of Eden," inspired by the rolling hills and rocky cliffs, spring-fed streams, fertile fields, thick forests, and natural beauty of the Galesville area...Van Slyke, an itinerant circuit rider, wrote a persuasive theory placing Galesville at the absolute center of the biblical Garden of Eden.  His 1886 booklet includes many geographical points describing the fertile valleys, lush hillsides, plentiful fruit trees and the abundance of fresh water. The preacher loved Galesville so dearly he chose his final resting place on the brow of the cliff overlooking the Garden of Eden.  His tombstone is easily seen from Beaver Creek flowing below cemetery ridges. "
- section from the Trempealeau County Tourism website

  Garden of Eden Preservation Society
(A.A. Arnold Eastside Farm)

located behind Piggly Wiggly, east of Highway 53 (N. Main Street) on Silver Creek Road

  Statue of Reverend Van Slyke
on east side of Highway 53 (Main Street) after the bridge as you enter Galesville from the south

hours:
June thru the first Sunday in October  (Sundays)  2pm – 4pm

Galesville Republican
www.galerep.com

Trempealeau County Tourism
www.trempealeaucountytourism.com

Photo Wisconsin
www.photowisconsin.com

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

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  page 228

(3rd ed., 2009)
  page 221
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 118
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

2

Lock & Dam Number 6

 

location:  Trempealeau
aquatic engineering

"There are 29 locks & dams located along the Upper Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota. These are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The DAMS divide the river into 29 flat pools were designed to hold water BACK to maintain a 9-ft deep shipping channel...Tows and recreational boats must use the LOCKS just like elevators to climb the stairway of pools from St. Louis to St. Paul!...There is a visitor observation area to view lock operations."
- section from the Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce website

  (From Highway 35 on the southeast end of Trempealeau, turn south onto Fremont Street.  Cross the railroad tracks and head for the river & the observation tower.)
W24005 Lock and Dam Road
Trempealeau, WI

hours:
April thru November  (daily)  dawn until dusk

Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce
www.trempealeau.net

Trempealeau County Tourism
www.trempealeaucountytourism.com

US Army Corps of Engineers
www.mvp.usace.army.mil

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  page 231

(3rd ed., 2009)
  page 222
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

3

Angry Chicken Statue

Raised Steer Statue
at Moe's Diner

 

location:  Osseo
roadside oddity

      

"Go peck yourself."



The steer is probably a remnant from the restaurant's prior days as a Heckel's.  The chicken may be as well, though it doesn't look any happier about the change in ownership.

  east side of Highway I-94 on Highway 10 (10th Street) next to Moe's Diner (formerly Heckel's Family Restaurant)
12701 10th St.
Osseo, WI  54758

Strange and Lonely Wisconsin
www.livejournal.com

Roadside Architecture
1. cow www.agilitynut.com
2. chicken www.agilitynut.com

Flickr photo by Mykl Roventine
1. cow www.flickr.com
2. chicken www.flickr.com

 

4

Avenue of Heroes

 

location:  Arcadia
memorial

     

photo courtesy of Trempealeau County Tourism website

"Upon your arrival into Arcadia, you will want to allow yourself time in Memorial Park, where you can stroll the Avenue of Heroes Walk, a 500 year timeline, beginning in 1854.  This display is equal to none around, with statues and memorials to all of our country's wars and conflicts in this 54 acre parcel, including the latest memorial to those who gave their lives on 9/11 in New York City."
- section from the Trempealeau County Tourism website

  Memorial Park
From Highway 95 in Arcadia, take S Saint Joseph Avenue south for 3/4 mile.  Turn left onto Gaveny Road.  Then turn right onto Memorial Park Drive.

Arcadia Official Site
www.arcadiawi.org

Trempealeau County Tourism
www.trempealeaucountytourism.com

Roots Web
www.rootsweb.com

 

5

Swinging Bridge
over Beaver Creek in High Cliff Park

 

location:  Galesville
local landmark

"A swinging bridge crosses the creek and enters High Cliff Park, where a scenic hiking trail winds along the creek at the base of the cliff. The park is located in Galesville’s downtown area, which retains its turn-of-the-century charm."
- section from the Galesville Republican website

  From the statue of Reverend Van Slyke, head southeast on Gibson, downwards to the parking lot for High Cliff Park.  The bridge is to the north.

Bridgemeister
www.bridgemeister.com

Photo Wisconsin
www.photowisconsin.com

Galesville Republican
www.galerep.com

 

6

Brush Trophy Room Museum

 

location:  Galesville
museum

"The 14,000 square foot Brush Trophy Room Museum is also located on the ranch grounds. It features over 300 mounted animals in settings that excel those of many public museums. These trophies were taken by Jim Brush, his wife Cindy, and son Travis also accomplished bow and gun hunters. Sounds, movement and even a splashing waterfall are all part the museum experience as visitors travel a circular path across the continents."
- section from the Official Site

     

photo courtesy of official site

  W22660 Sobye Lane
Galesville, WI  54630
Days   /  Evenings

                  

hours:
(Mon - Fri)  9am – 3pm  /  (Saturdays)  10am – 5pm
(Saturdays)  Noon – 5pm

Official Site
www.brushranchoutfitters.com

WECN Magazine
article "The Ultimate Trophy Room"

Lightfield Slugs
www.lightfieldslugs.com

 

7

Northland Fishing Museum and Wildlife Art Gallery

 

location:  Osseo
museum

"Displaying antique outboards, boats and vintage tackle. Limited edition wildlife art prints."
- section from Wisconline website


  12536 Gunderson Rd.
Osseo
, WI  54742    

                   

hours:
• Summer:  (daily)  9am – 5pm
• Winter:  (daily)  10am – 5pm

Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures
(photo gallery)
csumc.wisc.edu

 

8

Concrete Wigwam-shaped Grave

 

location:  Galesville
grave

      


Princess Marinouka (aka Marie Nounka), granddaughter of Chief Decorah, died at age 32 in an Indian Camp at Arctic Springs. Her grave is marked by a headstone in the form of a wigwam.

Inscribed on the accompanying traditional grave marker:

Indian Princess Marinouka
Died Oct.4, 1884 at Arctic Springs
Aged 32 years
Dau. of Chief Winnesheik, Grand Dau. of the great Chief Decora
She was buried here at the request of her tribe at mid-night, with Indian rites, her head towards the rising sun.
C.E. Freeman and others witnessed the burial.

  (on County Road T near the Arctic Springs Supper Club on the north end of Lake Marinuka)
N18078 County Road T
Galesville, WI  54630

Arctic Springs Supper Club Official Site
(no mention of grave)

www.arctic-springs.com

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 252
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

9

Giant Cardinal on Roof
at Eleva-Strum Central Middle School

 

location:  Strum
roadside oddity

You guessed it, Mack.  Their team nickname is the 'Cardinals'.

  W23597 U.S. Hwy 10
Strum, Wisconsin  54770

Eleva-Strum School District Official Site
www.esschools.k12.wi.us/

 

10

UFO & Rocket in Yard

 

location:  Osseo
roadside oddity

The UFO has a small troll-like "alien" sticking out of its top.  Both spaceships look like they are equipped to light up at night.

  just west of Osseo on Highway 10 at intersection with County Road OOO

Rocket Team Vatsaas
(scroll down to "Wisconsin")
www.vatsaas.org

 

11

Norske Nook

 

location:  Osseo
restaurant with character

      


 

The Norske Nook (with 3 locations in Osseo, Hayward and Rice Lake) is known for their award winning, made-from-scratch pies (28 varieties, including a lemon meringue so tall "you could hide a hat in it" or so they say) and waitresses dressed in Scandinavian attire. Ask for the Norwegian lefse.

  13807 7th St.
Osseo, WI  54758

Sour Cream Raisin Pie
Official Site
www.norskenook.com

Roadfood
www.roadfood.com/Forums

RecipeFest
(recipe for Sour Cream Raisin Pie)
www.recipefest.com

Another Bite
www.digitalhearth.com

book:
"Farm Recipes and Food Secrets from the Norske Nook"
by Helen Myhre & Mona Vold
Univ. of Wisconsin Press (2nd ed. 2001)
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

12

Schultz's Country Barn Corn Maze

 

location:  Eleva
crop labyrinth  / maize maze

photo courtesy of official site

"Our [2008] maze is 6 acres and is created using GPS technology. The corn is cut when it is 1 to 2 feet tall. Your mission is to find 5 checkpoints and then make your way to the exit. Sounds easy doesn't it? If you find all 5 checkpoints, you get your name put into a drawing for a prize at the end of the season. We will have trivia questions pertaining to the Green Bay Packers & Brett Favre throughout the maze."
- section from official website

  50996 N. Main St.
Eleva, WI  54738
(715)

Official Site
www.schultzscountrybarn.com

Pumpkin Patch and More
www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org

 

13

Vintage Texaco Station

 

location:  Independence
vintage architecture

Loren Nelson's vintage filling station is a restoration of an actual 1931 Texaco station, done with a 1950s motif.  The antique pumps do not dispense fuel but lend to the overall atmosphere of this location, where many vintage car enthusiasts have snapped photos with their vehicle parked in front of the business.

  Nelson's Straight Line Auto
23923 Burrows Rd.
Independence, WI  54747

Wisconsin Historical Society
1. www.wisconsinstories.org
2. (streaming video of station)

The Capital Times
article "Gas and gab: Service stations were town social centers"

book:
"Fill'er Up: The Glory Days of Wisconsin Gas Stations"
by James Draeger, Mark Speltz
Wisconsin Historical Society (2008)
pages 66 - 67 & cover
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

14

Chicken Dinner on Roof
at the Elk Creek Inn

 

location:  Elk Creek
roadside oddity

Many a giant chicken atop restaurants have I seen in my day, but never one served on a plate.

  N40351 State Road 93
Independence, WI  54747

 

15

Tow Truck Mailbox
at Kabus Auto Body and Recovery

 

location:  Independence
roadside oddity

The mailbox was created by the father of owner Ted Kabus to match the fleet of red towing vehicles used by the company.

  35244 Diagonal Street
Independence, WI  54747

click to enlarge
Official Site
www.kabusautobodyandrecovery.com

 

16

Turkey Mailbox

 

location:  Osseo
roadside oddity

 

This bird gets stuffed six days a week by the USPS.  No word if it attracts hens with its impressive fan, but with the lack of a noteworthy beard and spurs, this tom might make it through hunting season.

  W16648 Requa Rd.
Osseo, WI  54758

 

 

 

natural feature / altered landscape

resources

 

1

Trempealeau Mountain

 

location:  Trempealeau
landmark

"Surrounded by the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers, the steep-sided Trempealeau Mountain is one of only three solid rock islands along the entire stretch of Mississippi River. Standing 425 feet high, the mountain was used as an early navigational device by steamboat captains and other river travelers."
- section from the Wisconsin DNR website

  Perrot State Park
From Highway 35 in Trempealeau, head south on Main Street, then west onto South Park Road for 2½ miles.  A boat launch is west of the road.  Access to the Mountain is by boat only.

Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce
www.trempealeau.net

Wisconsin DNR
www.dnr.state.wi.us

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 148 - 149
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

 

sighting / phenomenon / morbid curiosity

resources

 

1

"Ghost Road"
aka McKeeth Drive

 
gaunted road
location:  Galesville

The ghost of a man killed in an accident has been observed on this lonely lane.

Also, a photo of an alleged ghost horse that was spotted here can be seen on the "Uncanny Radio" website.

  Head east out of Galesville on Highway 53McKeeth Drive is on the right less than 2 miles out of town.

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 221 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

Uncanny Radio
www.uncannyradio.com

 

2

Osseo UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Osseo

"There were a few swirling around the large row.  We watched it for about 45 seconds to 1 minute and then one by one down the row the lights simply went out.  Like football stadium lights going out.  It was just gone."
- section from UFO Wisconsin 05-14-05 report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

3

"Ghost Dancer"

 
ghost
location:  Osseo

The apparition of an Indian who died at this scene has been reported.

  Take Highway 53 south out of Osseo.  Ghost scene at intersection with County Road H.

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

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

book:
"The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations"
by Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk
Research Publishing Co. (2004)
pages 83 - 84

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com 

 

4

Strum Cemetery
aka "Emanuel Cemetery" or "St. Paul's Cemetery"

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Strum

"This place is messed up, late at night when the moon is full, you can see shadows moving quickly through the graveyard, you can hear voices, and little children crying, one night a you could hear a girl scream but there was no one anywhere around."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  at Woodland Drive & Highway 10 & County Road D

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

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

book:
"Ghostly Tales of Wisconsin"
by Ryan Jacobson
Adventure Publications, Inc. (2009)
pages 88 - 89
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

Green Orbs and Other Incidents on 6th Street

 
haunted
location:  Trempealeau

"My daughter said every time she walks in there or even looks in there, she gets this uneasy feeling like something is going to attack her or scream. This one time my son woke up in the middle of the night and just screamed as if he were in pain. I'm beginning to believe our house has some spirits."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

6

Mysterious Bright Object  (2001)

 
UFO
location:  Arcadia

"As it came along side of us, as the road slightly curved--it was absolutely huge. It seems to be an elongated size (longer in length than in height) but it was the terrible brightness that we keep remarking about."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

7

Devil's Chimney
(pillar of rock also known as Chimney Rock)

 
hellish moniker
location:  Eleva

The Weird Wisconsin website ponders the multitude of Devil-related place names in Wisconsin

  4½ miles south of Eleva on Highway 93

Weird Wisconsin
www.weird-wi.com or archived (here)

 

8

"Trempealeau's Buffabob Herd"

 
creature
location:  Centerville

In the book "Giants in the Land", author Dennis Boyer tells of rumored crossbred farm animals unlike any other in Wisconsin.


"The buffabob is a _____ cousin to the buffalo.  Most likely a buffalo-mountain goat hybrid.  The males have _____ spiral, straight-up horns like a goat.  They're shaggy like buffalo and got buffalo size.  The females give rich milk---if you get them to stand still in the stanchion."
- section from "Giants in the Land"

book:
"Giants in the Land: Folk Tales & Legends of Wisconsin"
by Dennis Boyer
Prairie Oak Press (1997)
pages 130 - 132
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

9

Juvenile Bigfoot Spotted (1997)

 
bigfoot
location:  Whitehall

"The creature looked like a child covered in hair. A height of 4-4.5 feet long. It dropped, hit the ground in a crouched position, did not full stand, but turned and ran up a revine. (sic)"
- section from BFRO report

BFRO (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization)
www.bfro.net

 

 

"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 lady with a knife in her back may be witnessed very frequently in Chimney Rock State Public Hunting Grounds before dawn dragging a corpse across the dirt. In any event, it undeniably is a scary ghost that is better not upset."
- section from Ghosts of America website

Ghosts of America
www.ghostsofamerica.com

 

 

 

taste of local history

resources

 

1

One Room Schoolhouse Museum

 

location:  Galesville
museum

  County Fairgrounds
Galesville, WI  54630
or

                     

hours:
open during County Fair and special occasions

Portal Wisconsin
www.portalwisconsin.org

 

More Trempealeau County historical attractions listed at:

Explore Wisconsin

 


updated 03-15-11  •  all images excluding those attributed to others are property of Wisconsinosity.com