Reedsburg: Art, River and City History

Get to know Reedsburg through its river landscape, city history and art. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Reedsburg, these highlights can help you organize your interests for your stay: the 400 State Trail and the Baraboo River shape the area’s nature and outdoor activities; artworks, historic architecture and a nearby outdoor site complete the picture. This can help you decide whether to focus your stay on getting active by the river, art in the city, or local history.

The 400 State Trail as a connecting thread

The 400 State Trail follows the Baraboo River Valley from Elroy to Reedsburg. The 22-mile route follows a former railway line and is used for biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. Sections of the former railway line run parallel to the river. The trail is also suitable for combining biking and paddling. It therefore connects two places over a longer route and highlights the river landscape, while these activities offer distinct experiences.

River, wetland and walking trail

Reedsburg’s natural areas offer different points of interest. Popple Nature Area lies west of Webb Park and the swimming pool. Recognized as an outstanding natural area in the city, it includes a walking trail. Smith Conservancy, by contrast, is a wooded wetland on the Baraboo River on the southwest side of Reedsburg and supports numerous wildlife species. South Park, on the south side of the city, provides access to the Baraboo River for activities such as fishing and canoeing. A walking trail, a wetland important for wildlife, and specific activities on the water are therefore available as distinct options.

Art in the city

Ruminant (The Grand Masticator) stands in Harvest Park. The artwork is made from a retired John Deere combine harvester with 34 backlit stained-glass panels depicting agricultural scenes. Ruminant was publicly presented to the City of Reedsburg in October 2014; it is a permanent public artwork and a city landmark. The Woolen Mill / Baraboo River Mural recalls the history of the Reedsburg Woolen Mill and its importance to the city’s early economic development.

The 90th Meridian Marker adds a geographic point of interest: the pink quartzite marker stands on East Main Street Boulevard near Laurel Street. It was dedicated on October 14, 1963, and marks Reedsburg as the only city in Wisconsin directly on the 90th meridian. The 45-foot-tall Bicentennial Monument stands on the north side of the Main Street Bridge. Its pointed shape represents the logs used in the early construction of the village.

Architecture and city history

The former Stolte Hotel, now called Cornerstone, is a restored commercial building in the Queen Anne style. The Stolte family built it in 1896. If you’re interested in historic architecture, brochures for the Historic & Architectural Walking Tour of Reedsburg are available from the Chamber of Commerce and the public library. The former hotel’s name refers to the building’s history; today, it is called Cornerstone.

A glimpse of early family life in the region

Three miles east of Reedsburg on Highway 23/33 is the Reedsburg Historical Society’s Pioneer Log Village. The 52-acre site offers a glimpse into the lives of early families in and near a small Wisconsin town. This excursion is different from the artworks and buildings in the city: here, the focus is on portraying early family life across a larger site.

Culture and recreation

A large collection of Norman Rockwell art is on display at the Voyageur Inn and Conference Center in Reedsburg. The CAL Center is an important performing arts venue: it is a 600-seat theater. Sports and events add to the options. Nishan Park has four purpose-built pickleball courts. The park also hosts the Reedsburg Butterfest every June during June Dairy Month. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates for that year’s event.

Reedsburg Country Club has an 18-hole championship-quality golf course. Together with the trails, natural areas and cultural sites, this makes Reedsburg a destination where you can focus on outdoor activity, landscapes, city history or art.

Discover more destinations: Plain, Spring Green, Baraboo, Prairie Du Sac

Return to the main travel overview: Sauk County.