Kiel offers a hometown feel and proximity to Elkhart Lake
Kiel is a community in eastern Wisconsin that rests along the banks of the Sheboygan River. The city takes its name from Kiel, Germany, a nod to the heritage of the early German settlers who established it in the mid-1800s. While popular destinations like Elkhart Lake and Lake Michigan are close, Kiel has its own appeal with city parks, family-owned businesses and a relatively small school district. “Many people who buy homes in Kiel are staying local,” says Julie Walber, broker and owner of CRES, LLP and a lifetime Kiel resident. “People from larger, neighboring cities are drawn to Kiel for its hometown vibe.”
From early 1900s homes to newer builds in Kieland Meadows
Many homes rest behind tree-shaded sidewalks, and private driveways are relatively common. Lot sizes vary greatly, but most provide ample space for backyard recreation. Kiel has a mix of architectural styles, from early 1900s farmhouses and midcentury split-levels to newer ranch-style homes in subdivisions. New developments are also in the works, including Kieland Meadows, a neighborhood that borders the Kiel Marsh Wildlife Area.
The majority of sales ranges between $120,000 and $390,000, but houses on multiacre lots sometimes sell for as much as $500,000. Lots in Kieland Meadows typically cost between $70,000 and $100,000 per acre. Some parts of the city are prone to flooding, and lenders may require flood insurance.
Despite its small size, the Kiel district offers several activities
The Kiel Area School District serves about 1,500 students and receives an overall B rating from Niche. Zielanis Elementary School earns a B-plus rating, and Kiel Middle School gets an A-minus. Kiel High School receives a C-plus, and it offers a variety of co-curricular activities, including a fishing club, Future Farmers of America and a science club.
Coffee klatches, supper club meals and Fremont Street’s shops
Kiel offers a variety of sit-down restaurants. Popular breakfast spots include Riverview Restaurant and Café on Calumet. “Both have their regulars who coffee klatch there,” Walber says. In the evenings, some residents head to the Millhome Supper Club for traditional Wisconsin supper club fare. Another favorite is Fork & Dagger Ale Haus, which serves specialty burgers and steaks and has a bourbon bar on the lower level.
Fremont Street is Kiel’s downtown district, with locally owned shops and bars interspersed with churches and banks. For fresh-baked breads and donuts, residents stop by Roeck’s Bakery, a fourth-generation family business. Bob Schoenborn's Jewelry is the town jeweler. At the northern end of the city, there’s a Piggly Wiggly grocery store and Ace Hardware. For more extensive shopping, people drive to Appleton, which has big-box stores and the Fox River Mall.
Kiel has several city parks, Road America and Kettle Moraine are close
The city maintains several parks and recreation spaces. Hingiss Park features a disc golf course and fishing piers along the Sheboygan River, while City Park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports courts. Residents can take taekwondo classes at the Kiel Community Center or join the regular pickleball meetups at the Kiel City Hall Gym.
Other nearby attractions include the Road America racecourse in Elkhart Lake. “It’s a large tour area with a few resorts on the lake — many students find summer employment there,” Walber says. The 30,000-acre Northern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest is also close by, with opportunities for swimming, hiking and cross-country skiing. For access to Lake Michigan, people drive to Sheboygan or Manitowoc, both less than 30 miles away.
Community picnic and German Day are annual highlights
Although Kiel has a calendar packed with seasonal gatherings, concerts in the park and warm-weather farmers markets, two events stand out from the rest. German Day, held each June in City Park, is a celebration of the community’s German roots, with local vendors serving German sausage and sauerkraut while bands play polka tunes. The annual Kiel Community Picnic “draws people from all over the area, and many who live far away return for the weekend,” she says. The three-day festival features live music, food vendors, and activities for kids.
State routes connect to key services in Appleton and Calumet
Maritime Metro Transit provides as-needed transportation for qualifying residents of Manitowoc County, and Calumet County offers limited transportation services as well. A network of multiuse trails in town supports some car-free travel, but the community is relatively car dependent, and state routes 67 and 32 are the main thoroughfares. Sheboygan is about 25 miles southeast, and Appleton is roughly 40 miles northwest. Emergency medical care is available at the Ascension Calumet Hospital in Calumet, just over 10 miles away. While Appleton International Airport is located about 50 miles northwest, Walber says that many locals opt to fly out of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, roughly 70 miles south.
