Juneau is home to government services and schools for Dodge County
Dodge County may be home to larger cities like Beaver Dam, but even Juneau feels big. “It’s one of the smaller cities in the area, but it’s also the county seat, so we have a lot of the government facilities here and we have a lot of activities,” says Connie Shuett, director of the Juneau Public Library. Juneau’s 3,000 residents — plus residents from the surrounding rural areas — take advantage of townwide events and local restaurants, separate from the hubbub of larger cities. “Because the school district has its building here, we have a lot of families who are out and about for school events, even if they don’t live here,” Shuett says.
Juneau's mix of Victorian and midcentury housing styles
Sidewalks run along both sides of the streets, as front walkways lead to Nationals, American Foursquares, bungalows and ranch-style homes. Trees hang over some of the wide driveways, and basketball hoops sit alongside parked cars. Meanwhile, front gardens add some seasonal color. Home pirces typically start around $100,000 and cap at about $300,000.
Dodge County's public schools with recent STEM additions
Dodgeland Elementary School receives a B-minus from Niche, while Dodgeland Middle School and Dodgeland High School both receive a C-plus. All three school are in the same building, located right in Juneau. In 2022, the high school added a fabrication lab to its STEM offerings, giving students the opportunity to use the 3D printer, metal shop and wood shop to get hands-on experience. High school sports — especially football, basketball, baseball and wrestling — are also a big deal in town.
City green spaces and Wild Goose Trail going through the region
Juneau City Park includes two playgrounds, plus sand volleyball, tennis courts and a baseball diamond. Wild Goose Park is primarily a campground, but it also has soccer fields and a playground. The Wild Goose Trail runs through it, stretching over 30 miles from Dodge to Fond du Lac. The trail is open to pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and ATVs. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Local pubs and diners in Juneau and Beaver Dam's Walmart
For American fare, residents can stop in one of the pubs and bars in Juneau. The 1850s Inn is right downtown and is a popular choice, while Quit N Time is on the outskirts of town. Village Garden and Restaurant is a classic diner serving breakfast favorites like omelets, waffles and skillets. Inside, a corkboard displays flyers and business cards for local events, announcements and services. Juneau has a Piggly Wiggly in town, but Beaver Dam’s Walmart Supercenter is about 9 miles away.
Commuting to Fond du Lac or Milwaukee from Juneau
Juneau is a car-dependent community. While manufacturers and warehouses like Animix bring some industrial employers to the area, people will also commute to bigger cities nearby for work. County Road W connects the community with Beaver Dam, about 8 miles away. Wisconsin Route 26 runs through the community, linking it to other thoroughfares like Route 33. Downtown Fond du Lac is 34 miles away, while downtown Milwaukee is about 69 miles away. Marshville Medical Center-Beaver Dam is just over 7 miles away. Dodge County Airport is about 2 miles outside the city limits, offering private pilots a small runway and a fueling station. For commercial flights, Juneau residents can fly out of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, about 67 miles away.
The nearby Dodge County Fair and local library events
As the county seat, the fairgrounds aren’t far from Juneau. Around mid-August, the Dodge County Fair includes live music, tractor pulls and demo derbies. Throughout the year, things like high school sports and other events thrown by local organizations maintain the activity in Juneau. “Our rec department does kids’ soccer and adult kickball and volleyball, and the events through the schools are a big draw for people,” Shuett says. “The library does monthly events like a book club and crafting events for adults.”
Written By
Caroline Ernst
