Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Villa Louis is one of the most historically accurate sites in Wisconsin.
From here, you'll want to head back to Lynxville via WIS 27 and Highway E.
Lynxville
Lynxville was once described by an old tour guide as “another faded village on a river
bluff.” Soporific still, the shells of old standing structures seem proud, if a bit bored. The
largest log raft ever on the Mississippi River was put together and floated from the quay
here in 1896, a monstrous beast at 250 feet wide, 1,550 feet long, and comprising 2.3 mil-
lion board feet (rivaling the barges of today). All in all, the town back then was probably
eighttimesaslargeasitistoday,withmanyresidentslivingonthen-extantisletsdottingthe
river before locks and dams flooded them out. The village today sits at the southern cusp
of a 17-mile-long lake created by engineers. Lynxville offers a dearth of practicalities—a
tavern, a gas station, an antiques shop, and very basic sustenance dining—but there's some
decent river scenery along
Lock and Dam 9.
Don't be shocked to see eateries labeled as
“fishing float and diner” around here. When you arrive at Gordon's Bay boat landing, just
raise the flag and the float boat will come down on the hour to get you.
