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attractions & oddities

resources

 

1

Paperweight Museum
at The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum

 

location:  Neenah
museum

      


"Bergstrom-Mahler Museum holds the finest and most representative collection of glass paperweights in the world, as well as one of the largest. The paperweights comprise our primary collection, and the majority of the museum's time and collection assets are focused here. Mrs. Evangeline Bergstrom bequeathed 632 pieces in 1958 to become the foundation of a collection that would grow to 2,300 objects. The majority of the pieces are on permanent display in our ground floor galleries, and the remainder is available to see in open storage. We strive to be a resource for collectors, artists, and scholars, as well as educate our museum visitors about this fascinating and appealing decorative art form."
- section from the official site

  165 N. Park Avenue
Neenah, WI  54956
or

hours:
(Tues - Sat)  10am – 4:30pm
(Sundays)  1pm – 4:30pm  /  CLOSED HOLIDAYS

Official Site
www.paperweightmuseum.com

Antique Trader
www.antiquetrader.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 48

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

Related link:
Paperweight Collectors Association
www.paperweight.org

 

2

M. Schettl Freight Sales

 

location:  Butte des Morts
coagulation of oddities

      


Passers-by may be startled by the sudden appearance of an army of fiberglass statues standing by the side of the roadway.  Indeed, the grounds of Schettl Freight Sales are saturated with beasts that vary from the oversized, extinct, mythological, and just plain weird.  Add to that many other bizarre items that defy category.  No other place, with the exception of Fast Corp in Monroe County, has such a collection of roadside oddities.


  Click here for MORE PHOTOS

  (From Highway 41 in Oshkosh, take Highway 45 to the northwest.  Take a left onto County Road S and follow 2 miles)
5105 County Road S
Oshkosh, WI  54904

hours:
(Mon - Fri)  8am – 6pm  /  (Saturdays)  8am – 5pm
(Sundays)  11am – 4pm

Official Site
www.mschettl.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Richard C. Moeur
www.richardcmoeur.com

Andy's Gallery
(Schettl pics begin at bottom of page)
www.berque.com

Tammi's Eclectic Diversity
tammiceecee.tripod.com

Journal Sentinel Online
article "OFF the Beaten Path" or (here)

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 72
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 89 - 93

(3rd ed., 2009)
  pages 80 - 81
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 182
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

3

M. Schettl Sales NEW Store

Giant Pink Flamingo

 

location:  Oshkosh
coagulation of oddities

      


If visiting one Schettl's location just isn't enough to satisfy your craving for fiberglass anomalies, try their new store by Highway 41, where you can scope out items ranging from new kitchen cabinets to a life-size Jolly Green Giant statue.  Next to the buildings is a yard with some scattered weirdness to investigate, including the giant flamingo.

NOTE:  This is NOT the same giant pink flamingo sold in June 2006 in the Oshkosh city online auction.


  (From Highway 41 north of Oshkosh, take the exit for Highway 76.  Almost immediately, 
take a right onto Green Valley Road, which runs northeast along Highway 41.)
5851 Green Valley Rd.
Oshkosh, WI  54904

                             

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  9am - 5pm

Official Site
www.mschettl.com

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Flickr photo by Ponto
www.flickr.com

Janis Museum
janusmuseum.org

 

4

Paul Bunyan Muffler Man
in front of
Fasco Appliance Sales & Service

 

location:  Oshkosh
Muffler Man

      

   (From Highway 76 in Oshkosh, head west on Snell Road)
1975 W Snell Rd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

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

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

5

EAA Airventure Museum

EAA Airventure Oshkosh

 

location:  Oshkosh
museum / event

      

photos courtesy of official site

"Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the site of the world's largest aviation event (EAA AirVenture) the Museum is one of the most extensive aviation attractions in the world, a year-round destination for the entire family. Come and explore our world-class displays and galleries.  Marvel at aviation innovations in our collection of more than 250 historic airplanes. Spend time in one of our five movie theaters. Take a ride in a vintage airplane at Pioneer Airport-a real working aerodrome right out of the "golden age" of aviation. Witness a piece of history in the Eagle Hangar, our tribute to World War II aviation. And get "hands on" in Hangar X, our exciting interactive gallery for kids of all ages!"
- from the official site


  (southeast of intersection of Highways 41 & 44)
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI  54901
or or (920)

                    

hours:
(Mon - Sat)
  8:30am – 5pm  /  (Sundays)  10am – 5pm

Official Site:
www.airventuremuseum.org

Airventure Official Site
www.airventure.org

Experimental Aircraft Association
www.eaa.org

Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.oshkoshcvb.org/eaa.cfm

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
pages 52 - 53

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Weird Wonderful America"
by Laura A. Bergheim
Collier Books (1988)
pages 203 - 204

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"America Bizarro"
by Nelson Taylor
St. Martin's Press (2000)
page 216
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Jurassic Valley Miniature Golf

 

location:  Oshkosh
roadside oddities

      


      


"You've never Mini-Golfed with life-size dinosaurs? Now you can! See what you've been missing on our beautifully landscaped 18 hole Miniature Golf Course as a T-Rex keeps a watchful eye. Challenging twists and turns make this course fun for Mini-Golfers of all ages!"
- section from the official site

2007 UPDATE The business has closed.  The fate of the dinosaur statues is unknown.

  5850 US Highway 76 North
Oshkosh, WI  54904
(920)

Official Sites (now defunct)
1. www.debsgolfcentral.com
2. www.jurassicvalley.com

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

 

7

Military Veterans Museum

 

location:  Oshkosh
museum

"See the original New York Herald newspaper announcing the assassination of President Lincoln, the original ships log of the USS California from December 7, 1941, jeeps form World War II, Korea and Viet Nam, Women's service uniforms, allied and enemy weapons and more. Enjoy the PX Gift Shop and the growing reference library. Dedicated to peace, the Military Veterans Museum strives to further national pride and patriotism; to educate youth and adults regarding the role of the "citizen soldier"; and to provide an orderly collection and display of militaria and memorabilia."
- section from the Oshkosh CVB website


  Commerce St. at Pearl Ave.
Park Plaza Office Complex
Oshkosh, WI  54901

                      

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  Noon – 5pm  /  (Sundays)  Noon – 3pm

Official Site
www.mvmwisconsin.com

Oshkosh Convention & Visitor Bureau
www.oshkoshcvb.org

 

8

Julaine Farrow Museum
at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute

 

location:  Oshkosh
museum

"The J. Farrow Museum is dedicated to Mrs. Julaine Farrow (), who was a Registered Nurse at Winnebago Mental Health Institute for 36 years...What started as a two room exhibit has grown to ten rooms.  The Museum chronicles the contributions of the early pioneers in the treatment of the mentally ill; it has pictures dating to 1875 as well as furniture and a variety of displays."
- section from the official site

photo courtesy of official site

  4150 Sherman Road
Oshkosh, WI  54901

                   

hours:
February thru October  (Thursdays)  1pm – 3:30pm

Official Site
www.dhfs.state.wi.us

Oshkosh Public Library
www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004)  pages 86 - 89

(3rd ed., 2009)
  pages 77 - 78
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Weird U.S."
by Mark Sceurman & Mark Moran
Barnes & Noble Books (2004)
page 210
buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

9

Apostles Clock
at the
Oshkosh Public Museum

 

location:  Oshkosh
folk art oddity / curious chronometer

"The eight-foot tall Apostles Clock was built in 1895 by Mathias Kitz, a German immigrant. When the clock strikes the hour, the Apostles pass before Christ and bow their heads. Meanwhile, a vintage Regina music box within the clock plays a hymn or melody. The clock is a wonderful piece of Wisconsin folk art and is one of the most popular attractions at the museum."
- section from the Oshkosh Museum website

  1331 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901
or

hours:
(Tues - Sat)  9am – 5pm  /  (Sundays)  1pm – 5pm
CLOSED HOLIDAYS

photo courtesy of Oshkosh Museum
Official Site
www.oshkoshmuseum.org

Journal Sentinel Online
article " 'Jewel' clock has made Oshkosh museum tick" or (here)

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 52

buy it at buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

10

Winneconne Secedes From the Union

Sovereign State Days

 

location:  Winneconne
historical oddity / event

photo courtesy of CRW Flags website

In 1967, the town of Winneconne was left off the official state map of Wisconsin due to a printer's error.  In response, Winneconne's elected officials threatened to secede from the Union and create the Sovereign State of Winneconne (in jest, of course).  All was made right on the 1968 map, but the one-day secession is celebrated annually in July.

Winneconne Official Site
www.winneconne.org

CRW Flags
www.crwflags.com

book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page 65

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 106
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"This is Wisconsin"
by Robert E. Gard
Stanton & Lee (1969)
chapter "Independence"
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

11

Fin-N-Feather Showboats
Riverboat-shaped Restaurant
& Cruising Sidewheel Paddleboat Restaurant

 

location:  Winneconne
restaurant with character / unique architecture

You can either have a meal in the landmark boat-shaped building near downtown Winneconne or dine on the replica paddleboat for one of the specialty cruises.

  22 W. Main Street
Winneconne, WI  54986

photo courtesy of the official site
Official Site
www.fin-n-feathershowboats.com

Explore Wisconsin
www.explorewisconsin.com

The Northwestern
article "Fin 'N Feather in Winneconne's cap" or (here)

 

12

The Nativity Collection
at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church

 

location:  Oshkosh
divine collection

"What do you do when your collection grows over 1,000 sets? Donate it so everyone can enjoy! That is how the Nativity Collection became an Oshkosh attraction. It is one of the largest, permanently displayed collections in the country, with over 1,000 complete sets. From Kenya to Alaska, from Fontanini, Italy to German POWs in Green Lake, Wisconsin, many artists from across the globe have contributed to this project. The mediums are as vastly different as well, including fine porcelain, hand carved wood, marshmallows, stone, Popsicle sticks, bisque and a soda can!"
- section from the Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau website


  1174 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

               

hours:
(Sundays)  8am – Noon  /  (Mon - Thurs)  8am – 4:30pm
(Fridays)  8am – 3pm  /  (Wednesdays mid-Sept thru mid-May)  5pm – 7pm

photo courtesy of official site
Official Site
www.abumc.org

Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.oshkoshcvb.org

 

13

Ardy and Ed's Drive In

 

location:  Oshkosh
vintage drive-in

"Enjoy a real "Blast From The Past" in this unique and authentic 1950's Drive-In Restaurant, with food served the way it used to be. Roller Skating Car Hops rock 'n roll your order to your car or to one of our pleasant outdoor picnic tables, while your favorite 50's & 60's tunes play in the background. Ardy & Ed's serves up big frosty mugs of creamy, Real Draft Root Beer, old-fashioned soda fountain favorites, and fabulous food! Plus, you can find nostalgic souvenirs and clothing items to take home and enjoy. Ardy & Ed's is located on Oshkosh's south side, across from a public boat landing & park on beautiful Lake Winnebago. Ardy & Ed's Drive-In, an Oshkosh Landmark since 1948. Experience it!"
- section from the official site

  2413 S. Main St.
Oshkosh, WI  54902

photo courtesy of Ribarnica on Flickr
Official Site
www.foodspot.com/ardyandeds/

Roadside Architecture
www.agilitynut.com

Flickr photos
flickr.com

 

14

Cole Watch Tower
aka Foxtower

 

location:  Omro
unique architecture

"Perhaps one of the most unique National Register buildings in all of Wisconsin happens to be a farm building in Winnebago County, which was once home to a thriving fox and mink fur industry. The unusual Cole Watch Tower in the Town of Omro is comprised of a two-story Italianate house onto which has been grafted a multi-story, Art Deco watch tower. It stands as one of the most conspicuous landmarks to an historic industry in the state."
- section from East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission website

  7631 Highway 21
Omro, WI  54963

Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

Flickr photos by TwoClubs
1. www.flickr.com
2. www.flickr.com

Wikipedia photo
commons.wikimedia.org

East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
(PDF file) www.eastcentralrpc.org

 

 

 

sighting / phenomenon / morbid curiosity

resources

 

1

Huge Haunted Farmhouse
private property

 
ghosts
location:  Eureka

Long-dead twin brothers may still be residents.  Read "Weird Wisconsin" for details.

  8482 County Road K
Omro, WI  54963

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

Haunted USA
www.hauntedusa.org

Flickr photos by DTrannyman
www.flickr.com

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
pages 22 - 23 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

2

Hill of the Dead
at Fritz(y) Park

 
     burial site / ghosts
location:  Menasha

A cursed mound of dead Indians does not bode well for palefaces.


"The celebrated hill of the dead, named by the French Butte des Morts, was located in West Menasha on the high bank of Little Lake Butte des Morts, from which it takes its name. The hill was destroyed in 1863, when the Northwestern railway bridge was built across the lake...The tradition of the origin of the "Hill of the Dead" is well known, having been included in nearly every important work on Wisconsin history. According to this tradition the tumulus was erected by the Indians as a repository for the bones of warriors and others who fell in a terrible battle which took place here at some period not definitely known, probably during the early part of the eighteenth century, during the long war of extermination waged against the Fox Indians by the French."
- section from the book "History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People"

  Fritz or Fritzy Park is on the west shore of Little Lake Butte Des Morts near the railroad bridge

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

book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page 32 buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People"
By Publius Virgilius Lawson
Published by C.F. Cooper and Co. (1908)
read it online at

 

3

Mysterious Aircraft Observed  (2001)

 
UFO
location:  Greenville

"The aircraft was shaped like a triangle with three or four bright white lights on two sides and two red blinking lights."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

4

Riverside Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Oshkosh

Ghosts of children have been observed.  See Unexplained Research at right for full details.

  1901 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

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 119 - 120

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 112
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

Strange Sounds in Bedroom

 
haunted
location:  Menasha

"As she listened more closely, she became even more curious. The sound , as she later described it, was a cross between a baby crying and a cat howling."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

6

Friend's Unique Boutique
formerly Starseed Jewelry & Gifts

 
haunted
location:  Oshkosh

New age spirits.  Hopefully they're not the type that wear all those noisy wooden bracelets.

UPDATE:  Now that the building is home to a more generalized gift shop, I guess the wooden bracelet threat is over.

  457 N. Main St.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

Oshkosh Ghost Walk
www.sillybirds.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 121 - 122

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

7

New Moon Cafe

 
ghost
location:  Oshkosh

Ghosts in the coffee house...  See Unexplained Research at right for full details.

  401 N. Main St.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

Official Site:
www.newmooncafe.com

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 116 - 118

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

8

Grand Opera House

 
haunted
location:  Oshkosh

photo courtesy of official site

"...there were new stories to tell about it's past. These stories were more on the mysterious side and involved the numerous ghost sightings and bizarre happenings that had taken place during the restoration work. Not surprisingly, the tales of ghosts and spirits still continue to be told today. Members of a local theater group called the Drama Lab had many strange encounters here in the 1980's with slamming doors, mysterious footsteps and other happenings. One actor rushed into a dressing room one night and came face to face with a man in old fashioned clothing who was holding a playbill from a show done in 1895. Another man was working in the balcony one night when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. When no one appeared, he looked around the corner and saw that the staircase was empty."
- section from Prairie Ghosts website

  100 High Ave.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

Official Site:
www.grandeoperahouse.org

The W-Files
www.w-files.com

Prairie Ghosts
prairieghosts.com

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

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

Fox Valley Spirit Hunters
foxvalleyspirithunters.2fear.com or www.sillybirds.com

Haunted Houses
www.hauntedhouses.com

book:
"The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations"
by Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk
Research Publishing Co. (2004)
pages 112 - 115

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
pages 114 - 115
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

9

"The Power" of Doty Island

 
haunted
location:  Neenah

In the book "Northern Frights", author Dennis Boyer tells of an ancient stone structure that marks the site of spiritual energy.

The W-Files
www.w-files.com

book:
"Northern Frights"
by Dennis Boyer
Badger Books (second ed., 2005)
pages 198 - 200
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

10

"UFO Scares Fishermen"

 
UFO
location:  Omro

" 'It was a glowing light, an orangish-reddish light,' said Sazama, who was fishing with Frye in a boat. 'I really got scared out there. I was looking for a place to hide in the boat.' "
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

11

Oshkosh Alien Encounters & UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Oshkosh

"He passed out and came to on the floor, against the wall, and unable to move. Entities were examining him with an oval object that produced a 'skeletal' effect to his legs when it passed over them."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

UFO Wisconsin
www.ufowisconsin.com

 

12

"The Rocking Chair Still Rocks"

 
ghost
location:  Oshkosh

"For a long time thereafter wayfarers could hear his groans and the creak of his rocker under the oaks at night, and even today on a stormy night, one may hear the sounds, the echoes of the first slaying in Oshkosh."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

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

page 31
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
page 134

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

13

"The Tenet Ghost"

 
ghost
location:  Oshkosh

"As we were watching, we both saw a fog-like substance drift across in front of the TV set. You could see above it and below it, but could not see through it. It raised the hair on the back of my neck and gave me the shivers."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

 

14

Darkness at Noon  (1886)

 
unexplained phenomenon
location:  Oshkosh

"For eight to ten minutes the darkness prevailed, with people and horses rushing about in panic. Could this be the end of the world?"
- section from Weird Wisconsin report
The W-Files
(story starts at 5th paragraph)
www.w-files.com

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

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

page 125
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 113
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

 

15

"Guardian Angel"  (1990)

 
ghost
location:  Oshkosh

"She was quite a distance away, but she looked directly at me and waved. My first response was to look around for the kid's parents because she wasn't dressed warm enough for this very cold day. There was absolutely no one else in the cemetery. When I turned back to look at the little girl there was absolutely no one there."
- section from The W-Files report
The W-Files
www.w-files.com

 

16

"Butte Des Morts Skeletons"

 
ghosts
location:  Butte des Morts

In the book "Northern Frights", author Dennis Boyer tells of restless skeletons moving about the landscape.

book:
"Northern Frights"
by Dennis Boyer
Badger Books (second ed., 2005)
pages 210 - 214
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

17

Neenah UFO Sightings

 
UFO
location:  Neenah

"The lights than broke up into pieces, the orange and red tail was glowing behind it. Even though it broke into pieces it still continued to fly in a path."
- section from UFO Wisconsin 11-16-99 report

UFO Wisconsin
1. www.ufowisconsin.com
2. www.ufowisconsin.com

 

18

Valley Road Cemetery

 
    haunted cemetery
location:  Menasha

"Story goes it was about 100 years ago when a groom was thrown from the carriage on the way to his wedding and died when he was caught in a tree, strangling on his bow tie. They say on certain nights, you can still see him hanging there."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  St. John's Cemetery
From Highway 47, head westward on West Valley Road.  Cemetery is near west end of road.

Unexplained Research
www.unexplainedresearch.com

The Shadowlands
www.theshadowlands.net

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 110 - 111

buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

19

"Lanky Night Walker"

 
   
alien? ghost?
location:  Oshkosh

While the men of the area were away at their logging camps, a tall, disquieting individual was observed multiple times on a street in the 19th-century community of West Algoma, walking with a cane and draped in black.

The W-Files
www.w-files.com

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

page 43
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
page 125

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

20

"Mrs. Courtney's Return"

 
ghost
location:  Butte des Morts

An abandoned farmhouse draws spectators in the 1870's as odd lights begin to flash regularly from within after a resident's death.

  Brooks' Corners, in the township of Vinland

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
pages 121 - 123

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

 

21

Apple Blossom Bookstore

 
haunted
location:  Oshkosh

Paranormal activity has been reported here.  See "Strange Wisconsin" book for details.

  513 N Main St.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

Official Site
www.appleblossombooks.com

book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page 115
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

22

Menasha High School

 
haunted
location:  Menasha

"It is known that tunnels were built in the 1940's connecting Buette Des Mortes school and Menasha H.S. together incase of a Nuclear Attack. During a school drill four kids got locked in the tunnel while trying to ditch school. You can hear them screaming, pounding on the doors, and yelling for help."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  420 Seventh Street
Menasha, WI  54952

The Shadowlands
www.theshadowlands.net

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

 

23

Haunted Locations from
Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX)

 
haunted locations
location:  winnebago county

These following haunted locations are from WIX's website.  They are of known haunted locations in need of back stories explaining why they are haunted.  If you know anything about these locations, please email WIX with the information .


  Oak Hill Cemetery  (Neenah)

  northwest corner at intersection of Highway 41 & Oakridge Road (Main Street)

  Dale School Apartments  (Oshkosh)

  207 East Irving Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54901

  Old Fire Station on Central and New York  (Oshkosh)

  at the intersection of Central Street & W New York Avenue

  Oshkosh Public Museum  (Oshkosh)

  1331 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI  54901

  Sacred Heart Cemetery  (Oshkosh)

  Head east on Highway 44 from intersection with Highway 41.  Take first right onto Knapp Street Road.  (This is in the area of the EEA Airventure Museum).  Continue to the east as Knapp Street Road curves.  The cemetery will be on your right.

Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX):

1. Oak Hill Cemetery
www.hauntedwi.com

2. Dale School Apartments
www.hauntedwi.com

3. Old Fire Station on Central and New York
www.hauntedwi.com

4. Oshkosh Public Museum
www.hauntedwi.com

5. Sacred Heart Cemetery
www.hauntedwi.com

 

24

"Voice on the Bridge"

 
ghost
location:  Omro

A murder that took place on an Omro footbridge in the 1870's has never been solved.  Local farmer John Sullivan was gunned down in cold blood as he headed home at dusk, his assailant unknown.  Not too long after, another man witnessed a spectral figure holding a rifle, proclaiming it to be the murder weapon that took Sullivan's life.

  a more modern footbridge crosses the Fox River just to the east of the Highway 116 bridge in Omro

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

book:
"Haunted Wisconsin"
by Michael Norman & Best Scott
Trails Books (revised 2001)
page 124

buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com

book:
"Sacred Sites of Wisconsin"
by John-Brian Paprock & Teresa Peneguy Paprock
Trails Books (2001)
page 95

buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

25

Paine Art Center and Gardens

 
ghost
location:  Oshkosh

"The art center is a house that was built during the depression. Her and her husband were extremely wealthy, and owned most of Oshkosh. They owned the larger factories, and paid their employees with, vouchers to purchase goods at stores the couple owned. Basically keeping all the money under their tight control. When the people of Oshkosh learned of the Paine center being built, they threatened the couple that if they ever moved into it, the people of Oshkosh would kill them. The couple feared the people of Oshkosh. And never did move it. In fact NO one has ever lived in the Paine Fine Art Center. Mr. Paine did pass on first, and Mrs. Paine did out live him. She donated their house to the city, with one stipulation, no children under 18 were allowed in it. She was never able to have children, and therefore resented children. Children are allowed in the center now, but Mrs. Paine is no longer alive. It's said that you can see the woman roaming the house during tours. The couple has also been seen together "enjoying" the house they dreamed of living in together. Workers often say a lady at the back of the crowd will start to explain things in the house but when they look for who was talking the place the voice came from can not be found."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  1410 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI  54901

Official Site
www.thepaine.org

The Shadowlands
www.theshadowlands.net

Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX)
www.hauntedwi.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 chained up female was seen in a Waukau secondary school on a dark night walking the corridors. The ghost was consumed by the night after being seen. No matter what, this ghost undoubtedly is creepy; one that is preferably not messed with."
- section from Ghosts of America website

Ghosts of America
www.ghostsofamerica.com

 

27

Winnebago Mental Health Institute

 
haunted
location:  Oshkosh

"In Sherman Hall, a strange shadow is seen after 1 AM most nights in old seclusion suite vestibules. Most likely a former patient named Rufus, who hung himself in same vestibule."
- section from The Shadowlands website

  1300 South Drive
Winnebago, WI  54985

The Shadowlands
www.theshadowlands.net

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

 

28

Oshkosh Ghost Walks

 
ghostly event
location:  Oshkosh

"Ghostwalks are conducted in the Oshkosh (Wisconsin) area approximately twice yearly. Anyone is welcome to participate. We usually walk the designated area taking photos, recording, looking for ghosts and spirits. After the walk, we may get together for snacks or pizza and discuss the walk and Oshkosh lore."
- section from

Official Site
ghostwalk.sillybirds.com

Oshkosh Ghostwalkers Yahoo! Group

 

 

 

taste of local history

resources

 

1

Tayco Street Bridge Tower Museum

 

location:  Menasha
museum

"Historic photos and artifacts bring the job of a bridge-tender to life."
- section from the Fox Cities website


  corner of Tayco & Main Streets
Menasha, WI  54952

                      

hours:
May thru October  (during navigational season)  10am – 7pm

Fox Cities
www.foxcities.org

Post Crescent Online
article "Bridge tenders have long history in Menasha"

book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press  (
3rd ed., 2009)
pages 69 - 70
buy it at
buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

2

Velte History Room

 

location:  Neenah
museum

"Venture into the lives of Neenah's people, from Native American through 19th century European explorers and settlers in exhibits of their tools, dishes and other artifacts of daily life."
- section from Explore Wisconsin website


  Neenah City Hall
211 Walnut St.
Neenah, WI  54956

                            

hours:
(Mon - Fri)   8am – 4pm

Explore Wisconsin
www.explorewisconsin.com

 

3

Morgan House

 

location:  Oshkosh
museum

"With its wide variety of splendid woodwork in its original condition, its six fireplaces, gas light fixtures and original Anaglypta and Lincrusta wall coverings, it is a fine example of the kind of home built by the most prosperous Oshkosh lumber barons in the late 19th century."
- section from the Official Site


  234 Church Ave. 
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920)

                     

hours:
June thru September  (Sundays)  2pm – 4pm

Official Site
www.morganhouse.org

 

4

Asylum Point Lighthouse

 

location:  Oshkosh
lighthouse

"This 30 foot tall, unpainted brick tower is located on a man-made island several miles north of Oshkosh on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. Built [in 1940] to guide fishing boats to a large fish operations headquarters located here, the light was lit with a kerosene lantern, but was never electrified. The island is connected to the mainland by a wooden footbridge that has recently been restored."
- section from the Internet Public Library


  From Highway 45, head east on Snell Road for 3 miles.  After crossing County Road A, turn right on Sherman Road.  Follow Sherman all the way to end to see the lighthouse. 

                         

hours:
Not accessible by land.  Nearby parking lot offers good view.

US Lighthouses
www.us-lighthouses.com

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lighthouses"
by Ken Wardius & Barb Wardius
Big Earth Publishing (2000)
pages 30 - 31
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

5

Kimberly Point Lighthouse

 

location:  Neenah
lighthouse

"[Built in 1945], This 39 foot tall white, brick tower is located in Kimberly Point Park on the northwestern edge of Lake Winnebago at the mouth of the Fox River. Twin porches sit on each side of the base of the tower forming a distinguishing landmark. It still operates as an active aid to navigation."
- section from the Internet Public Library


  From Highway 45, exit onto Main Street, heading east for a little over a mile.  The road curves to the east, becoming Wisconsin Avenue.  Follow this road until you reach the lakeshore, turning left into Kimberly Park.

                         

hours:
Not open for tours.  Grounds are open during park hours.

US Lighthouses
www.us-lighthouses.com

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lighthouses"
by Ken Wardius & Barb Wardius
Big Earth Publishing (2000)
pages 28 - 29
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 

6

Bray's Point Lighthouse
aka Rockwell Lighthouse

 

location:  Oshkosh
lighthouse

"Built [in 1909] by William Bray with his own funds as a private aid to navigation, this 42 foot (to the top of the spire) tall lighthouse is located on Lake Winnebago's western shore where the Fox River empties into the lake. It is named after the architect who designed the tower. The lighthouse and the point where it sits have been named over the years for the owners of the land, including Bray, Thompson, and Buckstaff. In 1917, Thompson's Point Lighthouse (as it was then called) was the only government-licensed inland light and Mrs. Thompson was appointed as lighthouse keeper. During the late 1950's the light was no longer lit, but it was restored and relit in 1986. It continues to show a fixed red light today."
- section from the Internet Public Library


  at corner of Lake Street & Bay Shore Drive on Lake Winnebago at the mouth of the Fox River

                         

hours:
Privately owned.  No tours.

US Lighthouses
www.us-lighthouses.com

Ohio Barns
www.ohiobarns.com

Lighthouse Friends
www.lighthousefriends.com

book:
"Wisconsin Lighthouses"
by Ken Wardius & Barb Wardius
Big Earth Publishing (2000)
pages 32 - 34
buy it at

buy it at
Barnes & Noble.com

 


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