Lake Mills draws homebuyers with its location and livability
Lake Mills, Wisconsin, is a lot of things; It's family friendly, conveniently located and steadily growing. The population has increased in every census since 1870, and Lake Mills continues to attract new homebuyers thanks to top-rated schools and a nearby major interstate. What makes residents stay in the area, however, is its diverse housing, outdoor recreation and small-town charm. "It's a very special place to live. It's a little gem that is very competitive to get into, and people rarely leave," says Adriane Stuebs, broker and owner of Shine Realty. "I've lived here for the last 25 years, and I don't know if I would even consider moving anywhere else."
Historic homes and new builds offer a wide range of prices
Housing becomes more diverse as the community grows, attracting a range of lifestyles. "Of course, there are young families and those seeking starter homes," Stuebs says. "But there are also people who want to retire here because of the lake." Victorian cottages, American Foursquares and bungalows from the late 1800s and early 1900s are the oldest styles and are located along gridded streets close to downtown. They range from $210,000 to $550,000. Ranch-style and split-level homes from the middle of the 20th century sell between $200,000 and $400,000. High demand in recent decades has resulted in subdivisions of Colonial Revival, New Traditional and Modern Craftsman homes. They are priced between $400,000 and $780,000, with many selling before completion. "In general, the housing market is very competitive. I have clients who, for the past year or more, have told me to call them as soon as a house on a specific street becomes available." She explains that homes along the lake rarely go on the market, and some have been in one family since the 1930s. Lake homes have sold recently for upwards of $1.4 million.
Nature enthusiasts are drawn to a lake with a legendary past
Lake Mills gets its name from the grist mills an early settler built on Rock Lake. While the mills are gone, the lake is still an important part of the community, with a local legend accompanying it. Legend says that underwater rock formations are ancient Native American structures, built to please the rain gods. The natives were blessed after a long drought, and heavy rains fell, creating Rock Lake. Now, the lake is a hub for boating, fishing and swimming. "People from all over say that it's the best place to fish, and I've dealt with clients who move here from other states just for the fishing," Stuebs says. Sandy Beach Park has a public boat launch, boat docks and a designated swimming section next to a sandy strip. The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is 52 miles long and passes through Lake Mills. "You can go all the way to Madison if you want, and you can see everything from turtles to deer to coyotes on the trail," Stuebs says.
Commons Park and Aztalan State Park offer history and celebration
Commons Park is a triangular green space downtown with farmers markets, holiday parades and the Knickerbocker Festival. Knickerbocker was the name of an early 1900s company that harvested ice blocks from Rock Lake. Each February, the festival celebrates the city's cold weather with ice skating, ice sculpting and winter-themed sports.
Aztalan State Park is just a mile east of Lake Mills. The site was once a Native American tribe's village between 900 and 1200 A.D. and is now one of Wisconsin's most excavated archaeological sites. "People take the history quite seriously around here," Stuebs says. "When we build new subdivisions and find artifacts nearby, the local college will excavate to make sure we aren't disruptive."
Public and private school options attract families
Lake Mills Area School District earns an overall grade of A-minus from Niche and is considered the best district in Jefferson County. Lake Mills Elementary School is rated B, while Lake Mills Middle and Lake Mills High schools are rated B-plus.
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has two associated schools in the area. St. Paul Lutheran School teaches prekindergarten through eighth grade and is unrated by Niche. "Lakeside Lutheran High School draws people from all of the surrounding counties who want to live near where their kids learn," Stuebs says. The high school is rated B.
Local dining and shopping with retail hubs in nearby towns
The triangular downtown area has bars, cafés, restaurants and specialty shops. Bar hoppers can work their way down North Main Street, starting at Lewis Station Winery and ending at Sunshine Brewing Company, with sports pubs and dive bars between them. East Towne Mall and big shopping plazas with national retailers and grocery stores are about 25 miles west in Madison. Menards and Kohl's are east in Johnson Creek. Lake Mills Market is the local grocery store. "It's a great option for grabbing something quickly, and everyone loves Mr. Jenson, the manager," Stuebs says.
A major highway connects to Wisconsin’s two most prominent cities
Interstate 94 goes through the city. "One of the main reasons people look at Lake Mills is because it's between Madison and Milwaukee and is right along the highway," Stuebs says. Madison is less than 30 miles west, and Milwaukee is just over 50 miles east. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is about 60 miles away, and Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital is the nearest hospital, about 13 miles south in Fort Atkinson.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
