|


Communities of Columbia County |
Beaver Dam
Whether you visit for a day or stay for a weekend, make yourself at home in Beaver Dam. This picturesque community, located in south central Wisconsin on Beaver Dam Lake, is surrounded by rich farmlands. Beaver Dam is situated just 40 minutes northeast of Madison, 90 minutes northwest of Milwaukee, 90 minutes south of Appleton, and 2 1/2 hours north of Chicago. You will find Beaver Dam a flourishing city with a progressive business and industrial climate. For current information, including local events, visit www. beaverdamchamber.com
Cambria
Nestled in the northeastern hills of Columbia County, you can find a refreshing get-away from your hectic days in Cambria. Tarrant Lake provides year around enjoyment for those interested in some leisurely fishing...ice skating or watching the Canada Geese in the spring and fall! Tarrant Park offers a modern outdoor swimming pool, two lighted sand volleyball courts, a lighted softball diamond, a skateboard ramp, new playground equipment and shelters with tables. Cambria is located on the eastern edge of the area's Amish Community. Pride Originals, an Amish heritage handmade furniture manufacturer with showroom, is located downtown. A state snowmobile trail runs right through Cambria's downtown area. The 1st weekend in June features a street dance and softball tournament. Park Days is held the 1st weekend of each August.
Columbus
Come visit Columbus, nestled among gently rolling hills, woodlands, and the Crawfish River. Located in the southeast corner of Columbia County, Columbus presents an almost perfect portrait of the late 19th century with over 200 century-old commercial and residential buildings. This Wisconsin Main Street community features a variety of architectural styles including the extraordinary Farmers & Merchants Union Bank designed by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. You will find that the City of Columbus strives to preserve and promote its proud heritage. Columbus is home to unique shopping, antiques, pottery, artisans, casual to fine dining, elegant B&B accommodations, and of course Carriages
Freisland
We are a growing community who take pride in our rural lifestyle. We are located in the northeastern part of Columbia County, a short mile north of Highway 33 on County Rd EF. On any given day you might see someone driving an antique auto, an Amish horse and buggy, a tractor...or even a snowmobile. In the summer, you will enjoy our very popular old fashioned band concerts & pie socials, featuring the Friesland Band, held Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm in our downtown park. Our Friesland Fireworks draws thousands of fun loving folks to town every 4th of July. Shop at our historic downtown grocery store founded over 100 years ago. View great scenery, rumble across wooden bridges, and marvel at our sunsets!
Lodi
Home of Susie the Duck, the friendly small town of Lodi is located in the heart of scenic south-central Wisconsin. From Lake Wisconsin to Gibraltar Rock, the natural landscape surrounding Lodi affords breathtaking views to the hiker, cyclist, or motor tourist. While touring Lodi be sure to stop on Main Street to feed Susie the Duck who, since 1948, has made her nest in a special masonry basket built just for her and her feathered fledglings. Next, visit Lodi's quaint shops and businesses that carry everything visitors and residents could want: unique shops and restaurants, a grass airstrip, and full-service banking. If you're a first-time visitor, be sure to take a ride across the Wisconsin River aboard the Colsac III, Wisconsin's only free auto ferry. You can spend the day seeing the sights, visiting attractions, enjoying Lake Wisconsin, exploring the inexhaustible natural wonders of the area, or visiting with the interesting people and return to Lodi's peaceful hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, or campgrounds to relax and reflect on the day's activities. Lodi, Wisconsin, is a city that preserves a peaceful, quality lifestyle and takes pride in all that it has to offer.
Legend of Suzie the Duck
A long time ago, (1948) a country mallard made Lodi her home. She settled in the downtown area and laid her eggs in a large masonry basket full of beautiful flowers. When her eggs hatched, she drew quite a bit of attention as locals and visitors came to observe her brood. Lodi's then police chief and his granddaughter also came to see the small fuzzy baby ducklings and their mother. The chief asked his granddaughter what she thought the mother duck's name should be? She replied "Susie". Susie has faithfully returned to her flower basket for years, raising many ducklings and much media attention. Through the years, many "Susie’s" have nested in the flower basket. Each year Lodi hosts an annual "Susie the Duck Day" celebrating the famous fowl who nests in the heart of Lodi.
History of Pardeeville
Pardeeville, a village of 1800 people, founded by John Pardee in the mid 1800s is located 35 miles north of Madison, on Highway 22. Many of Pardeeville's assets include Chandler Park, which is surrounded by beautiful Park Lake, the Angie Williams Cox Library, and the Columbia County Historical Museum. Pardeeville Antique Mall is also a point of interest. Enjoy our Watermelon Festival at Chandler Park the first Saturday after Labor Day. Free admission. Pardeeville is surrounded by many campgrounds, farm markets and a large Amish Settlement to the north, which offers many places for the visitor to shop. For the sports enthusiast, there is water skiing, fishing and swimming on Park Lake; snowmobiling, cross country skiing and curling in the winter. Pardeeville has a very good school system, and eight churches in the village and surrounding area.
For all four seasons, Pardeeville is a great place to live or visit. Pardeeville Village Hall 608-429-3121.
Portage
The land lying between the Fox River and the Wisconsin River was known as in the early days as a "portage." A portage is the act of transporting boats and supplies from one waterway to another. It is unique as it is part of a natural water-shed or is called a "continental divide." The Fox River flows from South to North emptying into Lake Michigan - St. Lawrence - Atlantic and the Wisconsin River flows from North to South emptying into the Mississippi - Gulf of Mexico. The Indians called the "portage" Wau-wau-onah, now more commonly known as "Wauona" which means "the place where one takes up his canoe and carries it on his back." The one and four-tenths mile trail through this marshy area was very difficult. Sometimes during high water boats could paddle from one river to the other. In 1828, the U.S. Department of Army sent soldiers to erect a fort at the Portage, to protect the white settlers and to keep the Indians in order. The Indians were charging tolls to "portage" across their land and the white settlers did not want to pay. There was a need for a better means of transportation. www.portagecanalsociety.com
Poynette
The MacKenzie Center is located two miles east of Poynette on Highway CS. Visitors enjoy 280 acres of nature-based experiences including hiking the themed nature trails, three different museums, native Wisconsin wildlife exhibits and more.
Randolph
Welcome to Randolph, located about an hour north of Madison, bound by two counties, Dodge and Columbia and within 5 miles of fishing and recreational lakes, which include Beaver Dam Lake and Fox Lake. The village has a strong agricultural economic support from the many farmers in the area. It is proud of that heritage. Randolph offers peaceful residential neighborhoods, quality schools (public and parochial), a variety of churches and recreational opportunities, with a beautiful park and a pool. Randolph’s economic development committee is here to meet the needs of existing business and industries, and can accommodate and provide financial incentives for new industries seeking to relocate or expand in its growing business park.
Green Lake
Green Lake offers simple pleasures when it’s time to relax, play hard and rejuvenate. It’s spectacular natural surroundings can be enjoyed while biking, hiking, fishing, boating, camping or many other favorite outdoor activities. The area offers unique lodging and dining experiences, outstanding live music along with affordable award winning golf courses.
Escape to Wisconsin’s Deepest Natural Inland Lake!
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually, making it the Midwest's number one family vacation destination. Wisconsin Dells has also been recognized as "America's
Waterpark Capital," with over 18 million gallons of water to be found in area waterparks, resorts and pools. With more than 90 attractions, Wisconsin Dells attracts visitors with a variety of interests. Some guests get away for a scenic tour of the Wisconsin River, championship golf and fine dining. Others seek the excitement and action of thrilling live shows, extreme rides, waterparks, go-karts, mini golf and historic attractions. Whatever experience you're looking for, it awaits in Wisconsin Dells. For more information about Wisconsin Dells or to request a free Wisconsin Dells Travel and Attraction Guide call 1-800-223-3557.
Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin and situated along the Ice Age Trail and is visited by more than 1.2 million people per year! With spectacular views from 500 foot cliffs, miles of hiking trails, swimming areas including 2 large sandy beaches, hundreds of campsites, mountain bike trails, cross country ski trails, great climbs and so much more, it’s no wonder why Devil’s Lake is Wisconsin’s premiere natural vacation destination!
Sauk County
Sauk County enjoys one of the most beautiful locations in all of Wisconsin. The county is crowned by the Baraboo Bluffs, designated as a "National Natural Landmark" by the U.S. Department of Interior. Sauk County has three state parks, Devil’s Lake, Mirror Lake and Natural Bridge and is bordered by Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River. People come from all over the nation to camp, hike, fish, boat, ski and golf in Sauk County. And then….. some people are lucky to live here year-round
Arlington, Village
608-635-2474
Cambria-Friesland Area
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 143,
Cambria, WI 53923-0143
www.cambriafrieslandchamber.com
Columbia County Economic
Development Corporation
711 East Cook St., Suite 202
Portage, WI 53901
608-742-6161
www.ccedc.com
Columbia County Offices
www.co.columbia.wi.us
608-742-2191
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 362
Columbus, WI 53925
920-632-3699
Columbus Main Street
128 W. James St. P.O. Box 23
Columbus,WI 53925
920-623-5325
www.columbusmainstreet.org
Doylestown, Village
920-992-3610
Fall River Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 6,
Fall River, WI 53932-0006
920-484-6257
www.villageoffallriver-chamber.com
Friesland Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 127, Friesland, WI 53935-0127
Lake Wisconsin
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 98, Lodi, WI 53555
608-333-4060
www.lakewisconsin.org
Lodi Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 43, Lodi, WI 53555-0043
608-592-4412
www.lodiwisconsin.com
Lodi Area Opportunity
& Development Inc.
(L.O.D.I.)
401 Chestnut St., Lodi, WI 53555
608-592-4038
Pardeeville Area
Business Association
PO Box 337 • Pardeeville, WI 53954
608-429-3596
www.villageofpardeeville.net/paba1.pdf
Portage Chamber of Commerce
104 W. Cook St., Suite A
Portage, WI 53901
800-474-2525
608-742-6242
www.portagewi.com
Portage Main Street
117 W. Cook St., PO Box 61,
Portage, WI 53901
608-697-5927
www.mainstreetportage.org
Poynette Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 625, Poynette, WI 53955-0625
608-635-2425
www.poynettechamber.com
Randolph Chamber of Commerce
349 Stark St., Randolph, WI 53956
920-326-4769
www.randolphwi.net
Rio, Village
207 Lincoln Ave, PO Box 105,
Rio, WI 53960-0105
920-992-5454
www.riowisconsin.com
UW – Extension
Columbia County
608-742-9680
www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/columbia
Wisconsin Dells
Business Improvement District
www.wisdellsdowntown.com
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
701 Superior St., PO Box 390,
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-0390
800-223-3557
www.wisdells.com
Wyocena, Village
165 East Dodge St., PO Box 913, Wyocena, WI 53969-0913
608-429-2349
www.wyocenawi.com |