Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Side Trips
Tough-to-find little Tiffany lies northeast of Beloit on Highway S, but it's worth a search;
it's got one of the most unusual bridges anywhere, a remnant five-arch iron-truss span
based on Roman architecture. Built by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in 1869, the
structure was modeled after a bridge in Compiegne, France. Each arch spans 50 feet with a
26-foot radius. To reach Tiffany, head east on Highway S from Shopiere and turn left onto
Smith Road. You can really view the bridge only from the Smith Road iron truss bridge,
built in 1890. Tiffany is a personal favorite, an anachronistic relic in the dewy midst of
nowhere.
MIRACLE: THE WHITE BUFFALO
In 1994, an extraordinarily rare white buffalo—Miracle—was born on the Heider
Farm near Janesville. It was the first white buffalo in the United States since 1933.
SpirituallysignificanttoNativeAmericans,itbecameapilgrimagepoint.Amazingly
and admirably, the family refused to profit off it and instead opened its farm to all
comers just to share in such a blessing. Miracle died in 2004, but amazingly, another
white calf was born in 2006, though it lived only a few months.
The Heider Farm family continues to greet visitors (2739 River Rd. S, 608/
741-9632, whitebuffalomiracle.homestead.com ) daily, but call first to confirm.
Back in Shopiere, check out the village's antique weight-driven timepiece adorned with
four lion heads.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
The summer brings July's Riverfest (608/302-5256, www.beloitriverfest.com ), a four-day
musicfestthat'soneofthelargestofitskindinthecountry,withmorethan50nationalacts
performing. Only Milwaukee's Summerfest is larger in Wisconsin.
RECREATION
Spectator Sports
The Beloit Snappers (608/362-2272) are a farm team of the Oakland A's. The Snappers'
logo-adorned paraphernalia are among the country's most sought-after souvenirs.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search