Mazomanie offers room, history and a “cute downtown”
Mazomanie, Wisconsin, is one of the gateways to the Driftless area, a region marked by rolling landscapes and forests. The village is more than 20 miles west of Madison, a location that provides more room and affordability than other places closer to Wisconsin’s capital. This village also has historic buildings, some of which date back to the mid-19th century and remain in use today. They include the old railroad depot and a more than 150-year-old mill that now houses a popular restaurant. “It’s a lot more rural, but it’s pretty, and they got a nice lake out there,” says Tommy Van Ess, a Realtor with First Weber Real Estate. “It’s got a cute downtown. The buildings are nice and old, but it’s a very small, cute, old downtown.”
Housing ranges from Victorian to modern homes
The village of about 1,800 people is part of the surrounding town of Mazomanie, most of which is farmland. The village has denser neighborhoods, with homes located along wide streets lined by mature trees. Houses here include Queen Annes, Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes. The village also has some modern New Traditional and Craftsman homes on its south side. Homes here mostly run between $250,000 and $630,000, but some multi-acre properties go over $1.5 million. However, Mazomanie’s median sale price of $400,000 is over $100,000 below some communities closer to Madison. “You’re going to get a lot more bang for your buck,” Van Ess says.
Downtown has coffee, Nicaraguan cuisine and Wisconsin beers
Several restaurants and shops are in the village’s historic and walkable downtown, which has many brick Italianate-style buildings with vintage glass storefronts. For some morning fuel, there’s 1855 Coffee House. El Tropico is a Nicaraguan bistro, while Iron Hop Taphouse serves Wisconsin craft beer and ciders. Other restaurants include The Old Feed Mill, which serves comfort foods in a stone mill that opened in the 1850s. The mill also grinds flour, which it uses to make bread. However, residents do need to travel for groceries. Located about 10 miles north in Sauk City, Piggly Wiggly is one of the nearest grocery stores.
Recreation includes fishing, kayaking and trail outings
Mazomanie has a few places for water recreation, including a seasonal pool and splash pad at Lion’s Park. The park also has a basketball court and a few soccer and baseball fields. Kayakers here often paddle down Black Earth Creek, which snakes through the village and passes by downtown Mazomanie and other sites like Lake Marion. The creek is a popular trout stream, too. “Whenever I do an open house there, I’ll see people wading in the river,” Van Ess says. Just north of the village is Walking Iron County Park, a nearly 500-acre area made up of prairie and woods. Walking Iron’s visitors include horseback riders, hikers and wintertime snowshoers.
Students may attend Wisconsin Heights School District
Wisconsin Heights School District serves the area and receives a B-plus grade from Niche. The district’s elementary, middle and high schools all share a campus between Mazomanie and the nearby village of Black Earth. Wisconsin Heights Elementary gets a B, while Wisconsin Heights Middle/High School receives a B-plus. In 2024, the district scored the highest overall in Dane County on the state education department’s report card. The report looks at information in areas like graduation.
Annual events include Gandy Dancer Bluegrass Festival
Village events include August’s Gandy Dancer Bluegrass Festival, which occurs at the Westland Promenade near the railroad tracks and Brodhead Street. In addition to watching some bluegrass acts, attendees can grab some food and learn about bluegrass history.
Commuters have access to U.S. 14 and Wisconsin Highway 78
A few highways pass through the area, connecting Mazomanie to a few of its neighbors. U.S. Highway 14 goes to Black Earth, less than 5 miles south. Commuters also have access to Wisconsin Highway 78, which goes to Sauk City and Prairie du Sac about 10 miles north. Prairie du Sac is home to Sauk Prairie Healthcare, a 36-bed hospital. Located about 25 miles east in Madison, Dane County Regional Airport is the region’s hub for commercial flights. Companies based in Mazomanie include Wick Buildings, a national maker of barns and other farm buildings.
Newcomers should expect frigid winter days
Newcomers here should anticipate snowfall and some frigid winter days. The area averages a winter low of 11 degrees and receives nearly 50 inches of snow a year.
