Rural Ladysmith has river access and essentials within reach
Dense forests and winding rivers surround Ladysmith, a quiet city in northwestern Wisconsin. While its abundance of outdoor recreation is one of the biggest appeals, the small-town lifestyle keeps homeowners around. “It’s the kind of place you can leave the keys in the truck in case somebody needs to move it," says Brian Reynolds, a broker with Weisenberger Realty LLC, with over 30 years of experience. The city is home to about 3,000 people along the Flambeau River. Manufacturing plants, a hospital and the school system provide many jobs close to home. Locally owned restaurants populate the streets, and city and county parks offer several options for recreation nearby. Most necessities can be found in town, but for more shopping, dining or other needs, Eau Claire is about 64 miles south.
Variety of home styles with prices lower than in nearby cities
Houses in Ladysmith range from century-old cottages and National Folk architecture to 2000s New Traditional and ranch-style homes. Garages add an extra layer of privacy and protection for cars during winter. “A lot of them have attached garages. You don’t make the wife very happy if she has to go outside and push snow off her car in the morning,” Reynolds says. Sidewalks line the city streets, and tall trees are scattered throughout the area. The more rural parts have lots that are often a half-acre or more, with dense trees between the properties. The median sales price is around $240,000, lower than in the nearby cities of Eau Claire and Rice Lake. Much of the area near the river is at risk of flooding. Rusk County has a hazard mitigation plan to address these risks.
Forests and rivers offer hunting, fishing and hiking nearby
Natural areas around Ladysmith offer plenty of activities. “There’s a lot of hunting. Hunting is like a religion up here,” Reynolds says. “There’s fishing on the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers.” Residents can hunt at nearby spots like the Rusk County Forest or Flambeau River State Forest. Animals like white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey are sought-after species. The Flambeau River is full of fish like musky, walleye and smallmouth bass. Recreation within the city includes Memorial Park, which has a playground, sports courts, picnic tables and a beach on the river. Riverview Trail offers 1.3 miles for hiking through forested areas along the water, plus a boat ramp.
Locally owned restaurants and chain stores in town
Restaurants downtown offer a range of cuisines. Casa Mexicana is a colorful Mexican restaurant known for its margaritas, fajitas and burritos. Eastern Chinese Restaurant has a buffet and an outdoor patio with river views. Ladysmith Family Restaurant serves American comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Shops downtown include a sporting goods store, a thrift shop and a florist. Chain retailers like Tractor Supply Co. and Ace Hardware also have locations in town. Groceries and other household items are available at Walmart, while Holly's Last Stand sells locally sourced foods.
College and AP courses at Ladysmith High School
Ladysmith Elementary School and Ladysmith Middle School each receive a B-minus from Niche, while Ladysmith High School earns a B. The middle and high schools share a campus on Edgewood Avenue northeast of downtown. High school students can take advanced courses like AP Psychology, AP U.S. History and AP World History, plus dual credit opportunities. Activities include clubs like ice fishing and forensics.
U.S. Route 8 and Highway 27 offer regional access
U.S. Route 8 passes through the community, offering an east-west highway across Wisconsin and leading about 39 miles west to Rice Lake. Wisconsin Highway 27 is a north-south route in the area. The highway makes up the bulk of the 64-mile drive to Eau Claire. Residents have convenient access to health care with Marshfield Medical Center in town.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
