Where suburbia ends and farmland begins
The rural town of Dale is filled with the familiar faces of those who chose to stay awhile. Turn-of-the-century homes on spacious lots line country roads that meander around the neighborhood’s central thoroughfare: Highway 96. “I grew up in Dale, and it still has the same feeling now that it did back then,” says Grace Powell, a Realtor with Century 21 Ace Realty. “The town itself does a lot: We get together to clean the park; the fire department hosts fireworks for Independence Day. You get that country atmosphere, but you’re still sort of close to everything.” The neighborhood sits 13 miles west of Appleton, where suburbia ends, and farmland begins. There, vibrant annual festivities and a longstanding diner on the main strip cultivate a strong sense of tradition and culture.
Familiar faces in Dale
Highway 96 runs straight through town, lined with turn-of-the-century farmhouses and traditional architecture. Country roads diverge from the main strip, where plots of land and rural properties range in price from $230,000 to $400,000. “The homes have a country kind of feel, even though there are sidewalks in town,” Powell says. “Everyone knows each other, and that makes you want to maintain your land.” Despite living so close to the house she grew up in, Powell notes that it’s normal to get to know folks even if they weren’t lifelong neighbors. “If you go on a walk, you meet everyone else walking,” she says.”If you know someone on the fire department, you know everyone on the fire department.” Though travelers passing through are more likely to see cornfields and silos than homes, residents take pride in the appearance of their properties if only to maintain an attractive curb appeal.
Flags and flower baskets along Highway 96
American flags and flower baskets decorate Dale’s strip of Highway 96, where Still Wally’s Still is one of the few restaurants in town. The shingle-style architecture, vintage still logo and rusty knick-knacks out front offer an old-timey feel even before stepping inside. From there, guests are greeted by an art deco-inspired bar serving shrimp bloody marys and classic, greasy American fare. “Right next door, a guy on the fire department opened up a distillery called Old Station 31,” Powell says. “That’s Dale’s fire number—the building is actually the old fire station.” Built in 1938, the station closed back in the 1980s and is now open for tastings, tours and friendly gatherings. Jimmers is down the street, a townie bar with string lights and regulars aplenty. As for everyday errands, most residents head 6 miles north to Hortonville where Gilbert’s Sentry Foods sits less than a mile from Kwik Trip, a Wisconsin staple.
The New London School District
A majority of families in Dale are zoned for the New London School District. Readfield Elementary School earns a B on Niche, only enrolling about 150 students each year. Overseen by the school’s 25 staff members, the Readfield After School Program includes homework and snack time for working parents who commute for pick-up. New London Middle and New London High School earn the same grade. The high school’s Career Academy Model offers students opportunities to earn dual credit, independent study and partnership opportunities with Catalyst Academy, a nearby charter school. The remainder of families are zoned for the Hortonville Area School District, which overall earns an A-minus on Niche. While New London provides bus service, those zoned for Hortonville can expect a 7-mile commute to school.
Strolling around at Daufen Park
Daufen Park is Dale’s only recreational space, where the community comes together every so often for park clean-ups. A walking trail spans the park’s perimeter, crossing a tranquil creek and interconnecting the playground and baseball field. “Honestly, I’m looking out my window right now and I see a giant farm field,” Powell says. “You see a lot of wildlife regardless of where you are, and hunting is more so a big deal here. A lot of times you can get permission from the farmer’s to hunt on their land.” Situated 28 miles east on the shoreline of Lake Winnebago, the aptly-named High Cliff State Park is comprised of limestone cliffs sacred to the Native American tribes who once inhabited the land. From biking to boating and fishing, the park offers an array of outdoor activities alongside seasonal hunting and trapping.
Dale's Fireworks Extravaganza
The Dale Fire Department hosts a Fireworks Extravaganza every last weekend of June, where a parade, live music, carnival rides and fireworks attract guests from across town. About 10 miles west, Fremont hosts its annual Fremont River Days on Independence Day weekend. The bars and restaurants downtown are packed with folks preparing to catch fireworks on the Fremont River Deck. Farmer’s markets held in Oshkosh and Neenah accompany a handful of pick-your-own farms nearby that keep local shoppers and farmers in the loop. When autumn rolls around, “Everyone trick-or-treats in Dale,” Powell says. “New London even has a big Halloween parade where all the kids dress up and walk down 96. They shut the road down and everything.”
Heading into town on County Road T
Residents of Dale are accustomed to driving for work and errands, especially since the rural nature of the area means public transportation is not provided. Appleton commuters can expect a 13-mile trip on Highway 96, while those heading to Oshkosh drive 25 miles west on Interstate 45. Hortonville and New London are the most frequented town centers in the area, both accessible via County Road T. New London’s ThedaCare Medical Center is the nearest emergency room, 10 miles north along the thoroughfare. Appleton International Airport is a generally preferred destination for flights, as Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport is mainly used for charter trips and hobby flying.
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Danica Neddenien
