Today we are heading to a Wisconsin State Park, Wildcat Mountain.
Wildcat Mountain is located in the Southwest part of Wisconsin.
It is beautiful!
I will be posting a few blog posts about Wildcat Mountain.
Today I am going to give you a tour of the history and some of the beautiful old buildings.
And one more note. As you drive up the driveway to Wildcat Mountain, you go up, up, up! It was a bit exciting as we pulled out Pop-Up Camper up, up and up!
Why the name Wildcat Mountain?
In the 1800's, local farmers were upset because a bobcat, also called a wildcat, had killed several sheep. The farmers formed a hunting party and tracked and killed the animal to prevent further loss of livestock. The cat was shot near what is now the main overlook of the park.
Thereafter, area residents called this spot "wildcat hill," later changed to Wildcat Mountain.
Now, the park has no wildcats, but plenty of other creatures make Wildcat their home, such as raccoons, skunks, fox, coyotes, wild turkey and deer.
WILDCAT!
As soon as we walked to the nature center, I noticed this house. I said to my fellow campers,"Hey guys, look at that chimney! It is so beautiful" I went over and took the following photos.
Later, I found out a fun secret about this beautiful chimney.
The secret I found out...a rock from each of the lower 48 Untied States are on this chimney!
Wildcat Mountain originally was a farm. The house and barn are still located on the park property. A beautiful Wisconsin barn.
The porch of the farm house.
Another view of the chimney.
I love the windows in this old Wisconsin barn.
A letter from a person who helped with building the chimney. And worked on the farm.
One of the old out buildings serves as the Nature Center. It might look like it needs a coat of paint on the outside, but the inside is well done.
A lot of hands on items for the kids to do.
Thank you for coming along today.
Have a great weekend.
♥
Very interesting and I love that rock chimney! You guys have a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful place to visit. We have bobcats around here but they are too small for livestock, I think they are more into bunnies, squirrels and rodents.
ReplyDeletehave fun.
Meredith
That is a cool story about the chimney. Looks like a great place!
ReplyDeleteThat's one gorgeous little chimney, I've always wanted one like that.
ReplyDeleteJen
Love the history of this place! Looks like a great time, have fun!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. We often end up in southwestern Wisc. on our Big River road trips and always visit State Parks and refuges on the way. Somehow we've missed this one. Looking forward to more about it...;)
ReplyDeleteSo close to me, yet I never knew how it got it's name! Where did you find this sign explaining the name? Sometimes I miss the obvious :) Hope you had a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place for your 'On The Road' series, Carla! That couldn't be too far from Westby, right?
ReplyDelete