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World's Largest "M"
(250 feet tall)
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location: Bagley
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| "precious" stones |
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| This giant monogram was built by the Engineering Department from UW-Platteville in 1936. The "M" stands for "Miners". You can climb stairs to enjoy the view from the top of the giant consonant as well. |
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 The "M" is found on Platte Mound, County Trunk B, on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail, about 4 miles east of Platteville. There is parking at the site.
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Platteville Official Site
www.platteville.com
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Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com
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Journal Sentinel Online
article "What's in an M, writ large?" or archived (here)
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book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page(s) 78 – 79
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004) page(s) 213 – 214
(3rd ed., 2009) page(s) 203 – 205
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page(s) 129
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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“Worlds Largest "M" - Platteville Wisconsin”
video by RundeAutogroup
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Dickeyville Grotto
at the Holy Ghost Church & Parish
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location: Dickeyville
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| grotto / religious shrine |
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| Started by Father Mathias Wernerus in 1920, the Grotto stands 25 feet tall and includes statues of Jesus, Mary and angels. There are also individual shrines to the saints and a companion piece, "Patriotism in Stone" that displays statues of Lincoln, Washington and Columbus. |
 Click here for MORE PHOTOS
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305 W Main St.
Dickeyville, WI 53808
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web links
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books & video
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book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page(s) 168 – 169
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004) page(s) 198 – 200
(3rd ed., 2009) page(s) 189 – 190
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page(s) 104 – 105
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Dickeyville Grotto"
by Susan A. Niles
Univ. Press of Mississipp (1997)
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Sacred Spaces and Other Places"
by Lisa Stone and Jim Zanzi
School of Art Inst. of Chicago Press (1993)
page(s) 28 – 45
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Eccentric America"
by Jan Friedman
Globe Pequot Press (2nd edit., 2004)
page(s) 84
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations"
by Randy Mason, Mike Murphy & Don Mayberger
Kansas City Star Books (2002)
page(s) 56 – 57
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Midwest Marvels"
by Eric Dregni
UofM Press (2006)
page(s) 352 – 354
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Fun Along the Road"
by John Margolies
Bulfinch Press (1998)
page(s) 95
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Weird U.S.: The Oddyssey Continues"
by Mark Moran, Mark Scuerman, Matt Lake
Sterling Pub Co Inc (2008)
page(s) 162
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Miracles of The Spirit: Folk, Art, and Stories from Wisconsin"
by Don Krug & Ann Parker
University Press of Mississippi (2005)
page(s) 166 – 170, 223
buy it at
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“Dickeyville Grotto”
video by Michael Foley
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Igor the Giant Mouse
at Carr Valley Cheese
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location: Fennimore
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| roadside oddity / cheese pride |
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There was a period of despair in the first decade of the 21st century. After local business Fennimore Cheese had been sold to Carr Valley Cheese, Igor, the beloved fiberglass mouse that had stood in front of the store for many a season, disappeared. Children wept and dogs howled. But a day of rejoicing soon followed when Igor returned, fully restored and placed once again in his former spot on the cheese shop's front lawn.
Named after composer Igor Stravinsky by the store's former owner, the late Steve Bahl, Igor greets visitors to Carr Valley Cheese and endures many a family photo op. Hopefully, he always will.
NOTE: Roadside America had made mention of a unique 1970's 7-Up billboard that had once been present at this site. The vintage advertisement's fate is unknown. |
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1675 Lincoln Ave.
Fennimore, WI 53809
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hours:
(Mon - Sat) 9am – 5pm
(Sundays) 10am – 4pm |
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web links
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books & video
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book:
"Weird Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey & Richard D. Hendricks
Barnes & Noble Books (2005)
page(s) 71
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004) page(s) 193
(3rd ed., 2009) page(s) 193
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page(s) 109
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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Dinky the Train
at the Fennimore Railroad Museum
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location: Fennimore
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| historical oddity / museum |
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| The Dinky is a narrow gauge train that ran from 1878 to 1926 on a 3-foot wide track. It now stands next to the museum, which houses a collection of railroad memorabilia, including model trains, telegraph paraphernalia and a blacksmith shop. |
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610 Lincoln Ave.
Fennimore, WI 53809
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hours:
• Memorial weekend thru Labor Day (daily) 10am – 4pm
• September and October (weekends only) |
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Birthplace of the Gideon Bible
at the Boscobel Hotel
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location: Boscobel
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| historical site |
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Once named the Central House Hotel, the structure now houses a bar & restaurant. Room 19 of the old hotel has been preserved for viewing, because here, in September 1898, two salesmen were roomed together due to lack of vacancy. This chance meeting and subsequent conversations between the two men gave birth to the Gideons International Society, which keeps hotel nightstands around the world supplied with Bibles.
The same room was also used by then-senator John F. Kennedy and wife, Jackie, in 1960. |
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1005 Wisconsin Ave.
Boscobel, WI 53805
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hours:
(daily) 10am – 2am |
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Wisconsin Central
www.classicwisconsin.com
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Wisconsin Historical Society
www.wisconsinhistory.org
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book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004) page(s) 192
(3rd ed., 2009) page(s) 184
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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book:
"Oddball Wisconsin"
by Jerome Pohlen
Chicago Review Press, Inc. (2001)
page(s) 99 – 100
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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book:
"Odd Wisconsin"
by Erika Janik
Wisconsin Historical Society Press (2006)
page(s) 155 – 157
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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| City of Presidents |
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| The "Presidential Caboose" |
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location: Cuba City
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| self-designation / historical oddity |
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| Presidential shields are located along Main Street honoring each and every one of our elected leaders, whether Republican, Democrat, Democratic-Republican, Federalist or Whig. The Presidential Caboose, also on Main Street, is painted up with an appropriate theme. |
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| World's Longest Main Street |
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location: Potosi
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| self-designation |
| In the 1950's, Potosi was given the designation by Ripley's Believe It or Not as having the longest main street without an intersection in the world. This is due to the fact that the town is situated in a long, narrow valley. |
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3 miles stretch of Highway 133
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| Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum |
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location: Fennimore
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| museum |
"The Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum exhibit of antique and collectible dolls and vintage toys ranges from the 1800's through 2000. Porcelain, bisque, and a huge custom designed Barbie® display can be seen along with a detailed dollhouse. Tin toys, windup and pull toys, early Fisher Price® toys, Disney® characters, and many others are also featured."
– section from the official website
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1135 6th Street
Fennimore, WI 53809
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hours:
(May - Oct) 10am – 4pm |
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| photo courtesy of official site |
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| Silent Woman Restaurant & Fenway House Hotel |
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location: Fennimore
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| restaurant with character |
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| A unique dining experience with a 19th century courtyard garden atmosphere. Diners' tables are located in the "courtyard" and inside the "buildings" on two levels. The photos shown here do not do justice to this very charming establishment. Check out the images on the official site for better views. |
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1094 Lincoln Avenue
Fennimore, WI 53809
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| Yes! We have boxing squirrels! |
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This museum is connected to the Bevans Lead Mine & Mining Museum listed below.
"Rollo Jamison was born in Beetown, WI in 1899 and started collecting arrowheads on the family farm as a boy. Rollo Jamison's collection grew to more than 20,000 items that illustrate everyday life of the people residing in Southwest Wisconsin. You can come see many of these items at the Rollo Jamison Museum on a self-guided tour, including carriages, farm implements, military items, small town business, home life, education, music, and many others antique pieces."
– section from Platteville official site
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405 East Main Street
Platteville, WI 53818
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hours:
• May thru Oct (daily) 9am – 5pm
• Nov thru April (changing galleries open Mon - Fri)
9am – 4pm (group tours year round by appointment) |
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| Turkey Statue |
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| Turkey Hunting Capital of Wisconsin |
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location: Boscobel
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| roadside oddity / self-designation |
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But how big are the spurs?
Boscobel is interchangeably known as the "Turkey Hunting Capital of Wisconsin", the "Wild Turkey Capital of Wisconsin", and even the "Turkey Hunting Capital of the WORLD"!
Note: the statue does not have spurs.
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1202 Elm Street (Highway 61)
Boscobel, WI 53805
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| photos courtesy of Friends of Wyalusing State Park |
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| passenger pigeon hunt |
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| Located on Sentinel Ridge Trail, this stone memorial is dedicated to the extinct bird, the last of which in Wisconsin was shot in Babcock in 1899, 15 years before the very last specimen died in captivity. |
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(From Prairie du Chien, head south on Highway 18/35. Cross the Wisconsin River and turn west on County Road C. After 3 miles, turn right on County Road X. Follow to park entrance.)
13081 State Park Lane
Bagley, WI 53801
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| Bellhop Statue |
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location: Fennimore
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| roadside oddity |
| How many times over the years have children looked out the car window during a ride into Fennimore and shouted, "Mom! Dad! It's Johnny Roventini! Johnny Roventini!" Probably never. Johnny, aka "Johnny the Bellboy", began his career as a living mascot for Philip Morris back in 1933. Discovered while working as an actual bellboy in New York City, the diminutive Johnny (he was less than four feet tall) was soon used in advertising campaigns shouting out the catchphrase "Call for Philip Morris!", including television appearances during "I Love Lucy." back in the early 1950's. At some point, animatronic statues of the character were made available to businesses selling Philip Morris products and one ended up in Fennimore. The deteriorating fiberglass bellboy once was strapped to some poles in front of the Three B's (Beer Bait & Bargains) store, now called East Side Sports & Liquor. |
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was at: 4443 US Highway 18
Fennimore, WI 53809
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| photo courtesy of Brettsky's Flickr photos (currently unavailable) |
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Giant Cone-Top Beer Can
at the Holiday Gardens Event Center
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location: Potosi
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| roadside oddity |
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| The cone-top "can" was created by modifying an old Potosi Brewery silo. I would assume it's the largest of its kind in the world. Inscription on side of can/silo: "CONTENTS 2,319,241 FL. OZ."" |
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101 Brewery Hollow Road
Potosi, WI 53820
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The scrap metal skeletons of a tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, pterodactyl and more can be seen peacefully standing amongst the grazing cattle at this dairy farm...biding their time.
2013 UPDATE: A new addition to this prehistoric pasture is an alien visible in his UFO. Perhaps he is a space traveler from the distant past, having visited our world and found only giant lizards. Well, come back again, Mars-man. Yours is an enemy planet. |
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(west of Hazel Green on Highway 11 at Country Road Z)
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Ellis Nelson's Metal Sculptures
The Birdman of Muscoda
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location: Muscoda
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| outsider artist / yard art |
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"The yard surrounding Ellis Nelson's rural Muscoda studio is filled with a myriad of art pieces ranging from a large metal dinosaur to smaller pieces like the curve-winged metal bats that appear to be flying overhead."
– section from Grant County official site
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124 W Catherine St.
Muscoda, WI 53573
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| To order this book, use the Angelfire link to the right. |
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Grant County Official Site
grantcounty.org
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Ellis Nelson - Visionary Artist of Metal Sculptures
www.angelfire.com
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Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Culture
csumc.wisc.edu
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Journal Sentinel Online
article "Folk art in a familiar state" or archived (here)
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book:
"Miracles of The Spirit: Folk, Art, and Stories from Wisconsin"
by Don Krug & Ann Parker
University Press of Mississippi (2005)
page(s) 150, 205 – 212
buy it at
|
book:
"Strange Wisconsin"
by Linda S. Godfrey
Trails Books (2007)
page(s) 103 – 105
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com![icon]()
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| A great photo op here in Hazel Green. Strange that the Wisconsin Historical Society's book on old Wisconsin gas stations, "Fill 'er Up", purposely did not feature this particular station, along with a few others, due to "questionable" modification. |
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2725 N Percival St.
Hazel Green, WI 53811
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| Rooty the Great Root Bear has been used as a mascot for the A&W restaurant chain since 1974. He can be found here and there around the state if you watch for him. |
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1307 S Madison St.
Lancaster, WI 53813
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Rod Pasold's Motorcycle Death Row
Yard of Mechanized Monstrosities
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location: Bagley
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| "precious" stones |
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The best part about putting together this website is when you go on a roadtrip to take photos of known attractions and you end up discovering places like this along the way. You're suddenly taken off guard by the sight of a yard filled with bizarre vehicles and motorcycle helmets. The helmets, my God, the helmets. They, along with an impressive collection of cycles, border the yard alongside a long fenceline. Owner Rod Pasold occasionally receives a used helmet donation by a passerby who simply chucks it into his yard.
2011 UPDATE: Rod Pasold passed away on February 3, 2011 at age 52. A trip past his former home shows no sign of his creations. Hopefully, someone will display them in his memory one day. |
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Click here for MORE PHOTOS
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was at: 2643 Highway 133
Blue River, WI 53518
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Rod Pasold's Motorcycle World of Blue River
rod-pasold.angelfire.com
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Adventures on a 97 BMW 1100RT
1100rt97.blogspot.com
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Find-A-Grave
www.findagrave.com
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Wisconsin State Journal
article "One Man's Junk, Another Man's Art" or archived (here)
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book:
"Wisconsin Curiosities"
by Michael Feldman and Diana Cook
Globe Pequot Press
(2nd ed., 2004) page(s) n/a
(3rd ed., 2009) page(s) 182 – 184
buy it at
buy it at Barnes & Noble.com
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| Potosi Beer Transportation Museum |
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American Brewery Association Museum
at the Potosi Brewery
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location: Potosi
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| museum |
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| The cave was not open at the time of this photo, but has opened to the public since. |
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"The Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum tells the story of how an industrial building on the Great River Road made use of the river, the highway and the railway. Through exhibits and interactive displays, the history of the Potosi Brewery is told through various modes of transportation."
"The National Brewery Museum and research library preserve the rich history of America's breweries through the preservation of brewery memorabilia and advertising. Changing displays will highlight various breweries and collectibles."
– section from the official website
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209 South Main Street
Potosi, WI 53820
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hours:
• museum: (daily) 10am – 6pm
• restaurant opens daily at 11am |
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Caboose-Shaped Sign
at Friederick's Family Restaurant
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location: Fennimore
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| roadside oddity |
| This train-related signage fits well in a town known for its railroad museum. |
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430 Lincoln Ave.
Fennimore, WI 53809
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location: Boscobel
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| restaurant with character |
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| Owners Doyle & Nancy Lewis' collection of vintage advertising signs, memorabilia, photos, workman's tools and other novelties make up the decor of their eatery. If the main floor isn't enough of a feast for your eyes, Doyle has a special dining/conference room downstairs filled with Green Bay Packers collectibles, keepsakes & souvenirs. |
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Click here for MORE PHOTOS
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1100 Wisconsin Ave.
Boscobel, WI 53805
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Silo Suite
at Ambrosia Inn Bed & Breakfast
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location: Hazel Green
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| accommodations with character |
| Not many B&B's offer a setting such as this one. In addition to the honeymoon-ready Gazebo and a number of other picturesque accommodations, you can spend a night in "Le Silo," an actual farm silo renovated to incorporate two rooms that includes a whirlpool in the top floor. The new owners are getting many positive reviews! |
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1910 Fairplay Street
Hazel Green, WI 53811
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Official Site
www.ambrosiainn.com
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Facebook (official)
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Yahoo! Travel
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Saylorwolf's Watercolors
(artwork of silo)
art.saylorwolf.com
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Chicago Tribune
article "Our Year In Travel" or archived (here)
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| Corn Maze |
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Pumpkin Trebuchet
at Vesperman Farms
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location: Lancaster
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| maize maze / veggie slinger |
"Prepare yourself for the ultimate puzzle-solving journey of a lifetime... Vesperman Farms of Lancaster invites you, your family, and friends, to unravel the mystery of Southwest Wisconsin’s most challenging corn maze. Don’t miss the excitement of deciphering a five acre journey of twists and turns!"
– section from the official website
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8149 Stage Rd
Lancaster, WI 53813
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| photo courtesy of official site |
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Bookmark the Wisconsinosity home page! wisconsinosity.com
405 East Main Street
near the Platteville mound
129 East Maple Street
