Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Few realize that the state's African American history goes back to the initial pre-
settlement
voyageur
exploration, and fewer still realize that the state once had thriv-
ingAfricanAmericanruralcommunities.Ofthese,perhapsbestknownwas/isPleas-
ant Ridge in rural Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin.
Pleasant Ridge started in 1850 with the arrival of an ex-slave owner, who relo-
cated to the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin from Virginia, along with two of
his erstwhile slaves and some of their family members. Whites and blacks settled in
the agriculturally fecund (and cheap) region together; settlement grew with a hodge-
podge of freed and escaped slaves and other migrants drawn to the “virgin” territory.
Within a half-decade, there were more than 100 African Americans farming in the
county.
This was certainly not utopia—there were two racially motivated murders—but
the community achieved remarkable results in cross-racial tolerance, given the time.
Blacks and whites intermarried, attended schools together (blacks also went on to
college), and farmed land side by side. However, the growth of urban economies
shrank the town; by the 1920s, Pleasant Ridge was nearly gone.
AnotherinterestingAfricanAmericancommunityofnotewasfoundintheChey-
enne Valley area near Hillsboro in Vernon County. Founders followed a trail similar
to that of the early settlers of Pleasant Ridge, making their way from North Carolina
and Virginia. By 1880, more than 150 African American residents had settled the
area. Their legacy remains in both the population and in the new Cheyenne Settlers'
Heritage Park in Hillsboro, the starting point of a regional heritage driving tour de-
tailing the lives of Wisconsin's early African American settlers (for information and
a downloadable map, check
www.hillsborowi.com
)
.
Even the town library, built to resemble a Roman temple with an open Palladian portico
and short Ionic support columns, is worth a look.
Recreation and Accommodations
Perhaps that perfect synthesis of bucolic relaxation and recreation is at the super
M
Justin
Trails
(7452KathrynAve.,608/269-4522,
www.justintrails.com
,
$135-325),acombination
country B&B, Nordic ski area, and even pro disc golf course. Day passes ($5) for non-
guests are available.
