Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Learn about the ugly shenanigans that went along with the mining at the truthfully
named
Swindler's Ridge Museum,
namedafteranearbybluffnotoriousforthievery.Fath-
er Mazzuchelli's original rectory, once here, was recently moved down the street.
Hazel Green
They should have called this place “Point of Beginning,” since that's exactly what it was.
In 1831, a U.S. land commissioner sank a post along the 4th Meridian. Every single piece
of surveyed land in the state of Wisconsin is referenced from this point. It's marked along
WIS 80, south of town. (Actually, it's more of a sweaty, half-hour trudge to find the thing.)
Wisconsin's only disputed nonnatural border was the segment near Hazel Green separating
Illinois from what was then Michigan Territory.
About the only thing to do in Hazel Green is head down to the
Opera House and Old
Town Hall
(2130 N. Main St.). Stroll through the auditorium, which was the original stage
and has a new hand-painted curtain. Believe it or not, it's now a fully realized puppetry
house with amazing classes, demonstrations, and performances.
Wisconsin House Stage Coach Inn, Hazel Green
