Boscobel offers small-town living in Grant County
Boscobel is a small city of 3,000 along the southern banks of the Wisconsin River, offering a peaceful setting surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. Like many communities in southwestern Wisconsin, Boscobel sits in the Driftless Area, with flowing waterways and nature preserves, providing abundant recreation and outdoor opportunities for residents. “It’s a nice small town, and it’s got amenities you would need for families, like grocery stores, schools and gas stations, so you don’t have to travel far for anything,” says Tina Allbaugh, Realtor at NextHome Prime Real Estate with over 5 years of experience. “It’s also a great place for anyone who likes outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.”
Boscobel has a diverse housing mix with sizeable lots
The city has a grid layout, with modest homes sitting on linear streets dotted with mature trees. Built from the late 1800s to the early 2000s, Boscobel houses range from a mix of cottages, ranch-style homes and Minimal Traditional houses to two-story properties. Lots can go up to about one-third of an acre, offering spaces for gardens and lawns. Prices for single-family properties go from about $70,000 to $350,000. "Many cities and suburbs have seen a drop off in demand after COVID, but the market in Boscobel is still pretty stable, and demand is still steady,” Allbaugh says. Properties in designated flood zones may require flood insurance, and the city also has flood relief grants for houses that are damaged by floods. However, Allbaugh said the vast majority of houses are not in the flood plain.
Recreation venues and rivers offer year-round outdoor activities
The city has many recreational venues and activities, including a seasonal ice-skating rink, youth sports leagues, as well as nature and snowmobile trails. Considered the city’s main recreation hub, Kronshage Park has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, sports facilities and play areas. The Wisconsin River is popular with boaters, and the surrounding areas have good streams for trout fishing. The city is also centrally located along the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, which spans over 90 miles and provides trails for biking and running. When winter comes, Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area has trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Shopping and dining options around community thoroughfares
Restaurants and businesses are along Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Decorated with vintage memorabilia, Unique Café has a cozy atmosphere and serves comfort food. Hideaway Bar & Grill offers drinks and classic pub food, while Udder Brothers’ Creamery has locally made ice cream, dairy products and meat. Piggly Wiggly, Boscobel Pharmacy and Dollar General cover daily groceries and essentials. On Saturdays, residents can also shop at the city’s farmers market, which has fresh produce, local crafters, vendors and live music.
Education in Boscobel Area Schools
Boscobel Area Schools includes Boscobel Elementary School, which covers prekindergarten to third grade, Boscobel Intermediate Elementary School for fourth and fifth grades, and Boscobel Middle/High School. The middle school grades get a C-plus on Niche, while the high school grades get a B-minus. Students in Boscobel Middle/High School have access to career pathway programs in agriculture, art, business and technology. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, a community college and trade school rated highly by Forbes, is about 10 miles away in Fennimore.
Distance to bigger cities like Dodgeville and Madison
U.S. Route 61 and Wisconsin Highway 133 pass through the city. Dodgeville is about 40 miles away, and Prairie du Chien is 30 miles west of the community. Madison and Dane County Regional Airport are approximately 80 miles east via U.S. Route 14. Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital is in the community, offering emergency, primary and specialty care.
Events organized by the local library and community organizations
The Hildebrand Memorial Library has programs for reading and homeschooling, as well as activities like trivia, anime and gaming. Taste of Boscobel, a community event in the fall, features local food vendors, drinks, a bean bag tournament and live music.
