Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
worthy proportions. Branding irons seem to be a specialty, but there are also thousands of
assorted knickknacks. The owner may even show up dressed like Wyatt Earp. Call first
since they might have a bus tour taking over the joint. Admission includes a Wild West
show.
Delavan
Delavan's two lakes are great reasons to visit—excellent fishing on Delavan Lake—but for
nonhydrophiles, Delavan is also home to a bit of clown history. For about 50 years in the
19th century, Delavan was the headquarters for most of the country's traveling circuses, in-
cluding the prototype ofP. T.Barnum's. Local cemeteries at the end of7th Street are full of
circus performers and workers dating from this time;
Tower Park
is chock-full of colorful
circus memorials and statuary.
Visitors can wander about trails at the
arboretum
north of town along the shores of
LakeComus.DelavanLakewasonceoneofthemostpollutedinWisconsin,heavilysoiled
by phosphorous runoff; however, an aggressive rehabilitation campaign has turned it in-
to one of the southeast's cleaner lakes, leading to the establishment of the
Turtle Valley
Wildlife Area
just north of town. Restored from fallow farmland, these 18,000 acres are a
good example of Wisconsin's aggressive wetlands restoration programs. Hike through dark
peat...and mint.
Believe itornot,Delavan isbecomingknownforMexican food.
Hernandez El Sarape
(212 S. 7th St., 262/728-6443, lunch and dinner daily, $2-6) has excellent food based on
San Luis Potosí state cuisine.
It's worth the trip to the expansive, farmlike settings of
Millie's
(N2484 Hwy. O,
414/728-2434, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily July-Aug., closed Mon. rest of the year,
$5-8)forthe kitsch factor—a servers-in-costume kinda place. The touted Pennsylvania Old
World-style, from-scratch cooking is amazing in scope, but other than the bohemian pan-
cakes, a bit generic.
