(Pictured above is Main Street in downtown Evansville)
To start, Evansville a town of a little over 5,000 people, has three historic districts. In 1974 a group of civic minded leaders recognized the town’s historic nature and commissioned a survey of over 178 existing structures. That 1974 survey served as the foundation application to get Evansville put on the National Register Historic Places (NRHP) in 1978. By 1992 there were over 300 buildings and homes added to the NRHP list spread across 22 city blocks.
Evansville is also known as the "Soybean Capital of Wisconsin," this moniker boded for this historic town's citizens, as CHS, a Minnesota-based company announced in 2023 that it is building a $700 million soybean processing facility to be completed in 2025. That economic boost will change the housing stock of this great little town forever, and certainly bring new restaurants and shops as well in the near future.
Places to visit on your Daytrip to Evansville
Over the years Lakes Edition journalists have covered attractions, places to eat, and shops in
Evansville and much more. Below are some of just a few of our favorites.
Please enjoy!
Have a place in Evansville you would like to recommend? Send us a line info@lakesedition.com
Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour
An architectural gem, as any in the Midwest, see what locals, architects, and historic preservationists are all buzzing about. The Lakes Edition tour of historic downtown Evansville is by no means comprehensive. But, the tour should at the very least give you a sampling of the wide variety of architectural styles that line the streets of this
great, Southern Wisconsin town.
Plan for about an hour to hour and half to take in all the architectural sights along the way.
>> Enjoy a tour of historic Evansville.
Eager Free Public Library
It is not often that a library gets recommended as a must see attraction but the Eager Free Public Library is worth a visit. This Prairie School Style building designed by famous, Madison based architectural firm of Claude and Starck retains all of its' Frank Lloyd Wright details as it first opened in 1908. The architect duo's body work across Wisconsin is vast. many landing on the National Register of Historic Places. Louis W. Claude resume includes working for Chicago firm, Burnham & Root, Adler & Sullivan. While Edward F. Starck worked at many Wisconsin firms most notably the MIlwaukee based Edward Townsend Mix.
The Eager Free Library is located at 39 West Main Street.
Phone: (608)-882-2260
(Black and white photos courtesy of Eager Free Public Library)
Hours
If you have time check out the interior of the library as well to see all the beautiful Prairie School craftsmanship.
Monday-Thursday 9:30am -7:00pm
Friday 9:30am-6:00pm
Saturdays 9:30am-1:00pm
(Lake Leota photo courtesy of Evansville History.net)
Lake Leota
Located in the center of Evansville this artificial lake created from the damming of Allen Creek has provided lucrative fishing opportunities for young and old since the 1920s. Even for non-anglers the fairyland-like setting of covered bridges and narrow canals of Leonard Leota Park surrounding Lake Leota is enjoyable for young and old. The park also features basket ball courts, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. Leonard Leota Park is also where Evansville's annual Fourth of July celebration is held.
Evansville Farmers' Market
Located on a grassy plot next to 510 S. Madison Street (Just Beyond the Willows)
Started at the end of June 2021 by Raquel Michel, owner of Just Beyond the Willows, coffee shop and retail shop, the Evansville Farmer's Market is all about supporting local. Michel opened her shop and cafe in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic one year ago in a 1930s gas station that she painstakingly restored and saved from the wrecking ball.
"I just wanted to do things for the community. I just wanted to have some good things happen for Evansville," says Michel. .
The Evansville Farmers' Market is open on Sundays from 11-2pm and features baked goods, locally grown produce, breads, honey, and fire roasted pizza made with local ingredients. The market runs now through the middle of October.
(Magnolia Bluff photo courtesy of Rock County Government)
Magnolia Bluff
Located minutes south of Evansville Magnolia Bluff is the highest point in Rock County. The 120 acre Magnolia Bluff County Park, located 1/2 miles south of the intersection of State Hwy 59 and Croak Road, features beautiful rock outcroppings and vistas. Because this park has steep areas and rock outcroppings, please exercise when on the trails.
Picnic tables, grills, drinking water, and restroom facilities are provided. In an effort to keep the areas as pleasing as possible, dumpsters are provided.
DINING DOWNTOWN
Hungry after your tour of Historic Evansville? There are quite a few restaurant options just around the corner or steps away on Main Street. As mentioned above Just Beyond the Willows housed in a fully restored, 1930s gas station is one place to find a unique cafe experience. Here are a few more dining options to consider.
Smoked brisket, or the Paoli Pig, this great new brew pub on Evansville's Main Street brings the flavor of a backyard barbeque to local meat-a-vores.. Dine indoors or outdoors weather permitting and enjoy tap beers and live music. Hop Garden Brewing and Tap Room is located at 18 East Main Street, Evansville. They're open
- Wed 4–9 PM
- Thu 4–9 PM
- Fri 4–9 PM
- Sat 11 AM–9 PM
- Sun 11 AM–6 PM
Phone:
608 636 6229
Daily lunch specials, Homemade soups daily. Be sure to check out their fish fry which is referenced in The Friday Fish Fry A Wisconsin Tradition. Outdoor dining available too!
19 East Main Street
Evansville, WI 53536
Phone:
(608) 882-9973
A mini-sandwich chain based out of Evansville, Rock'N Rollz Sandwich Company bakes all of their breads daily . Their meats, cheeses and salads are also prepared on a daily basis.
1 West Main St.
Evansville, WI 53536
Phone: (608) 882-4444
Enjoy Visiting Our Other Towns of the Week
Day trip adventures are just a short drive away in Lakes Edition country.
