Hazel Green: History, Culture and Puppetry

Hazel Green combines historic landmarks with a locally significant Opera House and seasonal puppet shows. The Mississippi River lies nine miles west of the town; Memorial Park in the Village of Hazel Green is intended for visitors and residents. The town’s history, culture and riverside recreational opportunities are distinct aspects to explore. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on the dated buildings, the Opera House’s local role or the river activities mentioned here.

Historic Landmarks in Hazel Green

Hazel Green was established in 1831 as the Point of Beginning of the State of Wisconsin. This designation links the town to Wisconsin’s history; it is distinct from the dates of individual buildings. The historic center includes the Wisconsin House, a former stagecoach stop dating to 1846, the Simison brick building from 1847 and 1853, and the Opera House/Town Hall, dating to 1898. These dates place several landmarks in the 19th century rather than attributing all the historical details to a single building. Hazel Green Town Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. The year 1898 is the date of the Opera House/Town Hall; 1989 marks the Town Hall’s listing. This distinction keeps the building date separate from its later register listing.

Culture and Seasonal Puppet Shows

The Hazel Green Opera House is locally one of the most important venues for the cultural, social and entertainment activities of the Hazel Green community. People and puppets come together at the venue for entertainment: the Fever River Puppeteers perform marionette and other puppet shows seasonally. The Opera House thus combines its broader role in community life with a specific seasonal performance format. If you’re planning your trip around a performance, check current dates; schedules may change.

The Mississippi River and Memorial Park

The Mississippi River lies nine miles west of Hazel Green. It offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, hunting and fishing. Boating and canoeing are water-based options, while hunting and fishing are other activities. You can consider your interests in light of these different options rather than associating the river with just one recreational activity. The Mississippi is also a distinct landmark to the west; the historic buildings are in Hazel Green’s historic center.

Memorial Park in the Village of Hazel Green is intended for visitors and residents. It adds a place that expressly includes both groups to the historic and cultural landmarks; its role is therefore distinct from the dates of the buildings and the seasonal performances.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hazel Green, you can weigh these highlights when choosing your destination: the historic center brings together the dated buildings, the Opera House combines local cultural significance with seasonal puppet shows, and the Mississippi is the western landmark for the activities mentioned. Which of these aspects matters most for your stay depends on whether you want to focus on local history, culture or river activities.

Discover more destinations: Platteville, Boscobel, Dickeyville.

Return to the regional travel overview: Grant County.