4-30-16
Wild Rose is a small Village of 725 in Waushara County. We arrived a little early for the roses, but not too early to learn of the fascinating history of this community. Pick up traveler information any time in the little cabin on Main Street.
The population is higher in the summer since many people have cabins in the area and enjoy the peace and quiet here. It wasn’t always that way though. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the atmosphere here was more like the Wild West. Residents are still talking about the famous “Bank Robbery of 1905”. We didn’t know about this until we stopped and talked to the locals at this friendly BP gas station in town, Lauritzens Sports Shop is inside.
They told us of a grave site located behind a fence located just outside of Oak Hill Cemetery in a wooded area. The fence was open and we went in.
Location is here of AA on Sewer Lagoon Road.
I found out the Wild Rose Historical Society staged a re-enactment of the robbery in 1905 on the 100th Anniversary of the event in 2005. A DVD was made and you can get it at Jamie’s Photo and Video in Waupaca. Order a copy for $15 here.
To learn more about Wild Rose’s history, stop at the Wild Rose Historical Society Museum. It consists of 8 buildings total. The one behind the sign is the Elisha Stewart House.
Wild Rose as you can see has preserved it’s history quite well, down to the noon whistle on top of the Village Hall building.
The Old Mercantile building. You can see where the dentist had his office in a room upstairs!
Studio 455 Photography.
There are many businesses downtown for shopping and dining. The Vintage Garden Café has has an antique store. The property however is up for sale.
Slugger’s Sports Bar is quite a draw during Packer and other games. Enjoy their Friday Night Fish fry.
Wild Rose is one of only two towns we have encountered with a vintage Pagoda-style gas station buildings. The only other one we have seen is in Cedarburg. This one is called the Pumphouse On the Mill and is now a restaurant. It was built in 1928.
The one in Cedarburg.
When you enter town is Roseville, where you can play mini-golf, shop at their gift shop or get some ice cream. We HAD to pose by the BIG strawberry ice cream cone.
There is also lodging downtown in Wild Rose. The Wild Rose Hotel Bar also has a restaurant, located on the banks of the millpond. Love the vintage sign by the entrance. It was also the site of the first original hotel in Wild Rose.
Across the street you can stay at Blader’s Dakota Inn.
We finished our visit with a stop at beautiful Springwater Volunteer Covered Bridge Park. The bridge was built by volunteers in 1997. The peaceful Pine River flows over the rocks, creating an idyllic scene any time of the year. It is on Rustic Road 117. Take a look!
We learned a lot today in Wild Rose and enjoyed to peaceful scenery they wish all visitors and residents to enjoy.
