Marquette County: Nature, History and Culture

Muir Park brings together upland and wetland habitats around 30-acre Ennis Lake, a spring-fed kettle lake. The other natural areas in Marquette County also showcase a range of landscapes, from prairie and savanna to old-growth forests and river corridors.

Nature Between Lake, Prairie and Savanna

Muir Park was designated a State Natural Area in 1972. Germania Wet Prairie received this designation in 2002 and lies on terraces above the Mecan River. In the Central Sand Hills Ecological Landscape, the Mecan River Pine-Oak Forest is the only known old-growth forest of white pine and black oak. Wedde Creek Savanna, in turn, is an outstanding example of a black oak savanna. These different designations offer a concrete impression of the variety of habitats described.

The river areas also differ in their size and form. The Lawrence Creek Fish and Wildlife Area encompasses 961 acres around Lawrence Creek and its headwaters. The Caves Creek Fishery Area consists of 823 acres of scattered state-owned land along a 14-mile corridor. Public access for fishing, hunting, and other recreational uses is planned for this area.

Culture and John Muir’s History

The Marquette County Historical Society includes the Cochrane Nelson House in Westfield, built in 1903. The grounds also feature the Henry Ellis Section House, with early railroad-history memorabilia. The Kerst/Cant/Robinson Exhibit and Research Building houses early artifacts from Marquette County’s 14 townships, four villages, and one city. The Society offers guided or self-guided tours of historic sites; check the visiting arrangements in advance, as they may change.

In Montello, the Montello Museum is housed in a building built in 1912. Originally, it had a blacksmith shop on the ground floor and rooms for community events upstairs. Another part of the county’s history leads to John Muir: his family established their first home in Marquette County in what is now John Muir County Park, after immigrating from Dunbar, Scotland. The park also includes a two-mile section of the Ice Age Trail. The John Muir Nature and History Route is a driving and activity trail that traces his life in the county.

Water, Trails and Activities

At the Grand River Lock and Dam, an ADA-compliant path leads to a fishing pier on the Upper Fox River. The Department operates three public boat launches there: two above the former dam on the Upper Fox River and one on the Grand River. These details provide an overview of the different amenities at this location.

Road cyclists can explore ten scenic routes in the county, totaling more than 140 miles. In rural central Wisconsin, Thal Acres is an 18-hole public golf course. A park with a beach, covering 11 acres, lies on the shore of Montello Lake. In Westfield, the Farmers Market provides access to affordable, locally grown food.

The Fish N Fun Festival takes place every year in Montello. This family-friendly event celebrates fishing, entertainment, and community. Check the specific festival dates for your travel period. The Fish N Fun Festival and the museum offer two distinct points of interest in Montello; in Westfield, the Cochrane Nelson House and the Farmers Market provide other options for planning your trip.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Marquette County, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: John Muir’s history and historic buildings, or natural areas and outdoor activities. Then focus your hotel search on the interests that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montello, Richland County, Douglas County, Eau Claire, Outagamie, Waupaca County, Fond Du Lac County, Crawford County.

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