Some Of Our Favorite Tours

Over the years Lakes Edition has covered been on the ground covering our great towns and cities in Southern Wisconsin Below are some of just a few of our favorites.

Please enjoy!

Have a town you would like to recommend? Send us a line info@lakesedition.com

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HISTORIC EVANSVILLE

Tour what the Wisconsin Historical Society says is “the finest collection of 1840s to 1915 architecture of any small town in Wisconsin,” welcome to Evansville!

What makes this Southern Wisconsin town a must-see architectural destination? 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.

In 2017-18 $8.8 million was invested in the downtown as the wave of rehab continues, some of that investment reflects the changing demographic and greater appreciation for preserving the story of the town’s history. Three years ago, historic district signs were put up around town to create more awareness for out-of-town visitors and local property owners alike. Evansville’s three historic districts include: The Grove Street Historic District on the northside of Evansville; The South First Street Residential Historic District on the southside; the Evansville Historic District is the largest and contains the greatest number of historic structures.

It is nearly impossible for one tour to feature all of Evansville’s 300 historic buildings. Consider this self-guided tour of the Evansville Historic District just a sampling of the unique structures that reflect the town’s diverse collection of architectural styles 

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TOURING JANESVILLE'S HISTORIC HERITAGE

In last two years, close to $42 million of private and public funding has flowed into downtown Janesville according to the Janesville Gazette. Some of that transformative money has already kickstarted renovations along the downtown streets and city’s infrastructure. One noteworthy example is the Milwaukee Avenue bridge reconstruction scheduled to reopen later this year. Another such catalytic project in Janesville is Town Square which has recently won the 2019 WI APWA.  Town Square is part of a two-block development of downtown’s river walk which will eventually connect to east bank via a pedestrian bridge.

All this transformative activity downtown is the culmination of several years of planning and investment according to John Beckord, president of Forward Janesville. Forward and its’ partner ARISE Now are bringing public and private investment together. This collaborative energy focused on downtown is not lost on local entrepreneurs either. 

The Venue owner Britten Langfoss and her father James Grafft saw the potential in the downtown’s mothballed, historic architecture and in 2013 purchased the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later, the Venue opened its’ doors, a great example of successful restoration in downtown Janesville. Without question the former church is an impressive French 2^nd Empire building, one of the finest in Southern Wisconsin and is featured in this tour.

Several other mid to late 19^th century buildings in the downtown have been renovated or are in the process of being rebuilt and put to new uses. Some of those structures under redevelopment are visible from the tour.

Janesville is unique for a city its’ size, to have four historic districts, 80 buildings within a five-mile radius of downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) list. There are many downtown examples of styles unique to each historic time period in the 19^th century such as the Victorian Era, Queen Anne, Greek Rival and they survive as true expressions of the city’s architectural heritage.  Many of these architectural gems restored to their original glory. Ultimately, the future of downtown’s economic viability is contingent upon restoration of Janesville’s architectural heritage. 

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The John Muir Bike Trails

N9097 Cty. Rd. Highlights includes 25 miles of rough, natural surface, single track, mountain bike trails fit for bikers looking for a challenge. Located north of the Town of La Grange and U.S. Hwy. 12 and south of the Town of Palmyra this most popular trail system in the southern Wisconsin region. Five different loops ranging from 1.25 miles to 12 miles.are featured. Parking, water, and vault toilets are available. One of more challenging features of the John Muir Bike Trails is one-way trail in the hilly terrain of the Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF) segment.

This rugged terrain, hills, and kettle-like depressions make for some tough riding and may not be suitable for everyone.

Park hours are 6 a.m to 11 p.m. daily.

Call (262) 584-5200.

Cambridge Open Air Market



Main and Water Street

Cambridge, WI

The Janesville Farmers Market

When May - October

Saturdays, 8AM - 1PM

Address: 100 Block of North Main Street

Location: The Towns Square Downtown

Jefferson Farmers Market

When:

Address: 317 S. Main, Jefferson WI

Location: Jefferson City Hall

Rock County Farmers Market

May 10 - October 25, 2020

Sundays, 9AM - 1PM

Address: 5013 West State Road 11

Janesville, WI

Phone: +1 608-449-4900

Website: www.rockcountyfarmersmarket.com

Stoughton Community Farmers' Market

When: *Tentative Dates* June - September SATURDAYS 8:30-Noon

Address: 111 Jefferson St.

Stoughton, WI, 53521

Location: Downtown Stoughton

Website: https://stoughtoncommunityfarmersmarket.org/

Phone: (608) 535 - 9835

Stoughton Farmers' Market

May 1 - October 30th

Address: 1050 West Main Street, Stoughton

Location: Stoughton Plaza Shopping Center

Phone: (608) 535 - 9835

The Whitewater Farmers Market 

A producer only market established in 1991 to bring locally grown, and made produce to the community.

When: May - October

Address: 301 W. Whitewater St.

Whitewater, WI, 53521

Location: The Depot Museum Parking Lot

Phone: (608) 535 - 9835