Locals and vacationers enjoy Mauston’s scenic surroundings
Far from any large metropolitan areas, Mauston is a Wisconsin community that blossoms in its scenic surroundings and small-town charms. The city is home to about 4,300 people – a close-knit group that explores, relaxes, plays and celebrates together, especially in nature. "We have rolling bluffs, lakes, hiking trails and parks for camping," says Liz Walker, a Realtor with Re/Max RealPros who has lived in the area for 30 years. "So, we get a lot of vacationers, and to live here is more of a quiet and slower lifestyle." The community has easy highway access and some locally owned restaurants and shops. Of course, friendly residents are a draw as well. "I call it Wisconsin nice or Midwest nice," Walker says. "Everyone knows their neighbors, kids bike to each other's houses and we've got local events everybody participates in."
Homebuyers can find wooded lots, hunting land and quiet neighborhoods
Mauston has many housing styles across its small area. "It takes less than five minutes to go from one end of town to the other," Walker says. "So, everything is close." Manufactured homes range between $30,000 and $150,000, with one recent sell over $300,000, depending on location and acreage. Cape Cods and small two-story homes along gridded streets sell for $80,000 to $150,000. Ranch-style homes, split-levels, simple Victorian homes and Colonial Revivals range between $150,000 and $380,000. Plots of land sell for $10,000 to $280,000, depending on size, location and intended purpose, with many large lots advertised as potential hunting grounds. "This is a very rural area, and I would say 80% of my business in the area is vacation homes," Walker says. "We also get a lot of retirees from Chicago or Milwaukee. They come for a quiet, peaceful setting where they can have a couple of acres in the woods."
Large lakes, state wildlife areas and little parks close to home
Petenwell and Castle Rock lakes are a few miles north, offering about 37,000 acres of water for boating and fishing. Nature lovers and hunters can enjoy the state parks, natural areas and wildlife areas around the lakes. There are also many places to get active, including the Mauston Indoor Pool and Lions Park, which has a big playground, a splash pad and six tennis courts. Youth baseball teams play at Veteran's Memorial Park, and Riverside Park has pavilions and a fishing dock into the Lemonweir River.
Local parks set the stage for music, food and competitive fun
Each year, the Juneau County Fair has a rodeo, a demolition derby, a petting zoo and other attractions at Veteran's Memorial Park. "Mauston puts on a Fourth of July event with a parade, fireworks, a local band and activities," Walker says. BBQ-Tober Fest is a new event that combines a barbecue cookout with the activities of Oktoberfest. The event at Riverside Park has live music, a barbecue competition and plenty of beer provided by Gravity Box Brewing Company.
The district’s four schools share one large campus
The School District of Mauston is rated B by Niche, with four schools for students to attend. West Side Elementary for prekindergarten through second grade is rated B, and Grayside Elementary for third through fifth grade receives a B-minus. Olson Middle and Mauston High schools earn B scores. The four school buildings share a campus and athletic fields. "They've been consolidating in recent years," Walker says. "I think it's nice that they're all in one spot. It's certainly a lot easier for busing and kid pick-up." Children can attend public schools outside of their district through Wisconsin's Statewide Public School Open Enrollment Program.
Groceries and laid-back eateries are close, fine dining is elsewhere
At Carr Valley Cheese Factory Store, shoppers can buy fresh Wisconsin cheese made right in the store. The multigenerational cheese company has won more than 850 American and international awards. Mauston's downtown strip along State Street has gift shops, an ice cream parlor, cafes and a brewery. Hotels, gas stations and chain restaurants are near the ramps to interstates 90 and 94. "We've got fast food, bars and grilles, but for fine dining, we go to Wisconsin Dells," Walker says. Festival Foods and Dollar General are in Mauston.
Highways connect to Madison, La Crosse and Wisconsin Dells
U.S. Route 12, Interstate 90 and Wisconsin state highways 82 and 58 intersect in Mauston and branch out towards larger cities. Madison, the state capital, is about 70 miles southeast, La Crosse is 70 miles west, and Wisconsin Dells is less than 20 miles away. Mile Bluff Medical Center is the local hospital and the area's largest employer. Dane County Regional Airport in Madison and La Crosse Regional Airport have domestic flights.
![Heather Haggerty]()
Written By
Heather Haggerty
