Waupaca County Between Lakes and History
Accommodation in Waupaca County
Lakes and Waterways
The Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes consists of 22 interconnected lakes with crystal-clear spring water. All but four of the lakes are no-wake, making them ideal for paddling. Taylor Lake Boat Landing and Grandview Road Canoe Access are recommended access points to the main area of the Chain O’ Lakes. In addition, Waupaca County offers paddling opportunities on 240 lakes and 114 rivers and streams. This gives you two ways to explore: the specific interconnected lake system or the wider selection of waterways across the county. When planning an outing, you can first decide whether to focus on the main area of the Chain O’ Lakes or include other lakes and flowing waters.
Nature and Trails
Hartman Creek State Park is located on the Chain O’ Lakes. The park is home to the historic Hellestad House, a log cabin. A section of the Ice Age Trail passes through wooded, hilly terrain there; the park also has trail access. For hikers, these are specific points of reference: an access point in the park and a trail section with described terrain. The Hellestad House provides a distinct historical note. The trail section and the log cabin represent different aspects of the park—the landscape along the trail and a historic building.
Activities and an Event in Iola
Iola offers different reasons to visit for a trip focused on sports or events. The Iola Winter Sports Club offers cross-country skiing. The Iola Car Show takes place annually in July and lasts three days. It features around 2,500 show vehicles and 4,000 swap-meet spaces; the scale can vary from year to year. The annual July event offers a specific occasion to plan around; cross-country skiing is another activity in Iola. When planning your trip, check the exact event dates and scale for the year in question.
Buildings and Museums
Iola’s history can also be explored through different dates. The Northern Depot was built in 1894; the Townsend School opened for the 1897–98 school year. The Iola Historical Society’s 1901 Firehouse is an authentically constructed replica and was dedicated in 2007. Each date marks something different: the depot’s construction, the opening of a school year at the Townsend School, and the dedication of the replica at the Firehouse.
Another architectural highlight is the Hutchinson House in Waupaca, built in 1854. It is a well-preserved example of New England-style architecture. Tours of the Hutchinson House Museum take visitors through the Victorian-era home. Seasonal opening hours apply; tours are available by appointment.
While the Hutchinson House offers an architectural and domestic-history perspective, the King Cottage focuses on the history of the Chain O’ Lakes and the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King. The Heritage Historical Village / Railroad Museum offers tours of six historic buildings that were moved to the village for preservation. They are furnished with original or period-appropriate historic furnishings. Here, the experience spans several buildings and their interiors, rather than focusing on a single home.
Discover more destinations: Waupaca, Clintonville, Weyauwega, Scandinavia, Manawa.
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