Wandering Central Wisconsin

Cousin Carla took us on a tour that included parts of Portage and Waupaca County.  Laurie and I love back roads and small towns, so this adventure was right up our alley!

Is this quintessential Wisconsin or what!  These side by side bars/pubs are located in the tiny town of Amherst Junction in Portage County Wisconsin. (Population 375) Carbo’s Junction Bar is at the left of the photo, (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carbos/260036887360325), and the Lake Emily Inn bar is at the right. (https://www.facebook.com/lakeemilyinnn/)

FYI, Amherst Junction came into existence when railroads were built in the county.  The town was a junction between 2 railroads, the Wisconsin Central and the Green Bay and Lake Pepin Railroads.    

This is the old Security State Bank Building in Amherst Junction.  It was established in 1903 and was eventually purchased by F and M Banks.  This location has been closed for quite a few years and the building now serves as Amherst Junction’s City Hall.

Imagine this… At one time Amherst Junction had 5 taverns, 2 hotels, 2 grocery stores, a couple of depots, feed stores, 4 potato warehouses, a blacksmith, a livery stable, a meat market, a bank, hardware store, car dealership, a post office, school and a turkey processing plant!

We encountered this defunct old-time Phillips Gas Station along County Road SS near Amherst Junction.  Those old gas pumps really date the station.  The good news is that the building has found new life as the base of operations for Zorophoto…a local photography firm.  Website:   http://www.zorophoto.com/.

This is Rising Star Mill in the tiny town of Nelsonville Wisconsin.  This town has a population of only 158.  The Rising Star Mill is located at 3190 County Road Q and it is the site of special events, music, etc.  It was built back in 1868 and its one of the oldest surviving mills in the state.

 

The mill is operated and maintained by a non-profit group.  To learn more about the mill and related activities, you can go to http://www.pchswi.org/museums/mill/rising_star_mill.htm.  The mill is also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Rising-Star-Mill-419984268163211/.

Judah Studios is located right across the road from the Rising Star Mill.  I was attracted to the building by the old general store sign advertising Bake-Rite Bread that’s painted on its side.  The Studios are located at 9489 First Street in Nelsonville and they provide local fine and re-purposed art, home and garden accessories, art classes for all ages, interior/exterior design services, custom home sewing, blinds and lighting. 

You can check out Judah Studios via this link: https://judahstudios.com/. FYI, click on the 3 line block at the upper left of their website in order to navigate the site.

Carla knows her cousins, that’s for sure.  They all love horses, especially Karole and Laurie.  Carla arranged to take us by a family friends place out in the country to visit with his horses…and him too… These 4 horses out in the pasture have fly masks on to keep the flies out of their eyes.

All 4 ladies spent a lot of time visiting with the horse’s owner.  He raises completion quality champion quarter horses…with many barrel race winners.  Champion riders sign up to ride some of his horses.

Of course the real ‘star’ of the show was this foal.  She was very friendly but we did have to keep an eye on her mom who was a bit protective!  Someday this cute little filly may be a rodeo champion!

This is the walkway leading to the entrance to Cottage Garden Farm near Waupaca Wisconsin.  This store sells home and garden décor, gifts, clothing and jewelry. (Carla earned points from her cousins for this stop…but she did raise my stress level by taking my better half shopping!)

This was the store entrance.  I was assailed by merchandise all around me!  I did a quick walk through of the store…leaving right after stumbling across the ‘dreaded’ year around Christmas Shop! 

These photos will provide an idea of just how extensive the assortment of outdoor decorative items is at Cottage Garden Farm.  I’ve never seen so much yard art, whirly gigs and other related items in one place.  I sought refuge where others of my ilk were hiding out…in a chair under that gazebo roof (partial shown) at the far right of the photo.

I must admit that I really did like one item!  This large metal owl is cleverly weighted and a bit of wind makes him flap his wings… (FYI, I didn't buy it)

Cottage Garden Farm is well done and its attractive to many folks.  I understand that it has a strong local following.  Cottage Garden Farm is located at E957 Wisconsin Highway 54 just 3 miles west of Waupaca.  Their website is at http://cottagegardenfarm.com/.

Our friends Linda and Norm, who live near us in East Tennessee, lived in this area for many years when they worked at Sentry Insurance.  As a matter of fact, Norm knew Carla and Marie (cousins who both worked at Sentry) and others in Laurie’s Wisconsin family.  Small world!

In any case, we decided to drive by Norm and Linda’s old home near Custer Wisconsin.  Of course, we ‘had’ to take a photo just to show them what their old homestead looks like these many years later!  Some of Norm’s excellence in gardening is still in evidence…

That’s all for now… Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Thanks for stopping by for the tour!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave