(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, Wisconsin plays a key role in the history of the circus in the Badger State. The town was the home to the Hall Circus founded by George Hall. Hall's circus headquartered in the town plat, of Union on what is now North First Street, Evansville. According to Robert Gollmar son of one the founders of the famed Gollmar Circus, Hall winterized much of his menagerie in his home. One famous tale Gollmar recalls is that of an out of town Irish man who was visiting Geo. Hall's house. According to the story, Hall asked the unsuspecting man to reach in the wood bin and grab a log for the fireplace. The action startled a sleeping boa constrictor and the unknown man even more so, scaring him to the point of him hastily exiting George Hall's home never to return.

Evansville is also home to Lake Leota, and the fairy tale like, Leota Park, and just minutes north of the scenic, Magnolia bluff County Park, one the highest points in Southern Wisconsin.

And for the future of Evansville, a $700 million soybean processing facility and the population expansion of Wisconsin's fastest growing city Madison.

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

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

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.

The Grove Market LLC

All menu items are premade and available on a first come basis. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. They longer have a made to order menu, but are happy to meet specialty dietary needs with advanced notice.. You can stop-by, call or order online.

24 East Main Street
Evansville, 53536, US
Phone: (608) 882-1566
Email: jen@thegrovemarketllc.com

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