About Marquette County, WI

About

Located in south central Wisconsin, between Madison and Stevens Point, people have come to Marquette County for generations to enjoy the natural beauty of the area! We have several quaint towns for you to explore!

Briggsville
Briggsville is the home of Lake Mason, which is known for its northern pike, bass, and panfish. It is a regional favorite for ice fishermen. Briggsville is also home to one of the ten county bike routes. (See “Biking” under the “Things to Do” tab) Located only 11 miles from Wisconsin Dells, it is a great area for the outdoors enthusiast to visit.

Endeavor
Located off of I-39, 12 miles north of Portage, the quiet village of Endeavor borders the Fox River. It is a great place to work and play. Launch your canoe or kayak at one of two access points to view wildlife and enjoy the beauty of the natural area. In the fall, duck hunters can find opportunities to harvest puddle ducks and geese.

Broilerfest is the highlight of the summer, featuring great chicken, music, mud bogs, and a vendor fair. Watch the event calendar for more information.

Harrisville
Get ready for some fun when you enter the Harrisville community. A 4th of July parade gone crazy, has become your “not so typical” celebration. Bring buckets, water balloons, mega squirt guns, even hoses! No one is safe, even the participants in the parade! It is a two-way display of water attacks you shouldn’t miss!

After the parade, be sure to make your way up to the Sportsman’s Club for a great chicken dinner and pie. Be sure to stay for the tractor and truck pulls.

An even bigger event is held on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, known as Bratfest. With over 50 years to perfect, it provides its guests a full day of softball, volleyball, and other tournaments. There are tractor pulls, truck pulls, raffles, dancing, carnivals, kid activities and fun for all.

Harrisville is also home to a 172 acre lake with a depth of ten feet. It is home to the Sportsman’s Club that does a phenomenal job mentoring youth and promoting the outdoors.

Montello

For generations, people have brought their families to experience the wonders of our area. Nestled in the gentle rolling hills of central Wisconsin, Montello displays year-round natural beauty.

Stop at Daggett Park in downtown Montello to view the waterfalls at the granite quarry. The granite mined for over a century from our city has been proven to be one of the hardest and finest granites in the world! It has been used for many famous monuments, including Grant’s tomb.

Across the street is the Montello Theatre, which was originally an opera house. Step back into time at this old fashioned theatre and catch a movie of today!

Another blast from the past can be found downtown at B&B Country Store. Stop in for some old fashioned candy and grab an ice cream cone on a hot day.

Head west past the downtown area and you can view one of the top ten largest trees in Wisconsin, a large cottonwood located near the courthouse and (privately owned) “Granite Mansion”. Estimated to be about 300 years old, it would have been here when French explorers came through the area.

Fishermen can find plenty of opportunities to wet a line. Fish from shore on the “Dredge Bank Road” (Sunset Dr.), Krakow Park, or Montello City Park. Boaters can fish the Fox River, Buffalo Lake, Lake Puckaway or Montello Lake.

Hunters enjoy the French Creek Wildlife area for deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunting. It is also the northernmost release area by the DNR for pheasants. French Creek Wildlife area falls into both Marquette and Columbia Counties. It is located about 10 miles south of Montello.

John Muir County Park is located seven miles south of Montello and is the boyhood home of John Muir, one of the founders of our national park system and the Sierra Club. The park features a footpath around Ennis Lake. Canoes, kayaks and electric motors are permitted on the lake.

A large Amish community can be found 10 miles south of Montello near Barry Rd. Visit the bulk food store, bakery, greenhouse, woodworking shop and more!

Neshkoro
The earliest settlers began arriving in Neshkoro in the mid 1800’s. The lush land that lead to the beautiful banks of the White River provided a great refuge for the settlers. Located northwest of the Fox River, this land was soon to become an ideal destination for the area’s first industry, a foundry which was preceded by a mercantile store, harness shops, a woolen mill and gristmill, hotels and diners, a meat market, and even brick manufacturers. All earned a distinction for service and growth.

Visit Neshkoro on a summer Friday night to listen to a concert in the park. See a park full of creativity during Scarecrow Fest in October. The annual Community Chorus Christmas Concert is a must see!

Be sure to stop at Lunch Creek Winery (call ahead for hours) or get a great cut of meat at Reetz’s Meat Market.

Oxford
Located just minutes west of Interstate 39, Oxford invites you to experience our small town charm along with the area’s many year-round outdoor attractions.

Boating, fishing, hunting, and camping opportunities are within easy reach, or grab your bicycle and explore the quiet country roads and scenic bike trails through our gently rolling farmlands.

Our multi-day 4th of July Celebration is a spectacular event! There are always plenty of activities for young and old. It is topped off with a great fireworks display!

Packwaukee
Small quaint communities are scattered throughout Marquette County, including Packwaukee. As you visit the area, you will notice that special  efforts have been made through the Packwaukee Historical Society to preserve their yesteryears. This includes a historical building in Washington Square Park.

A beautiful bell that was preserved from the original school is also a must see.  The Packwaukee Historical Days allows people to participate in festivities in this great town!

Fishermen and duck hunters can launch from Freedom Rd. Shore fishermen can try their luck from the Causeway.

Westfield
The village of Westfield is home to a mix of shopping, industry, farming and the small town way of life. Located off of I-39, it is a favorite stop for fishermen, snowmobilers, and travelers making their way to the north woods.

Stop for a bite to eat at one of our supper clubs, restaurants or grab a quick meal with some fast food. While you are in the area, head downtown, where you can stroll through a variety of stores. Check out the Pioneer Plaza for additional shopping opportunities.

Staying awhile? Take in a round of mini-golf at Pioneer Mini-Golf, or hit the greens at Thal-Acres Golf Course. You can also knock down some pins with a game of bowling at Thal-Acres.

Relax at Pioneer Park while the kids play on the playground or fish from the downtown park on the public pier.

Don’t forget to visit the Marquette County Historical Society while in town!

Be sure to come back in July for the Marquette County Fair!