Mount Horeb is a small community with Nordic culture
Mount Horeb was among the many Wisconsin communities that received Norwegian immigrants in the 19th century. Today, this village celebrates its Nordic heritage in different ways. Known as the Troll Capital of the World, Mount Horeb has over 30 life-sized trolls along Main Street, known as the Trollway, as well as other parts of town. The project was originally commissioned in the 1980s to bring interest to Main Street after the construction of a bypass around the village. Mount Horeb's historic downtown draws steady foot traffic, with local boutiques and restaurants in repurposed buildings. “There are a lot of little places to shop and eat that are unique,” says Tammy Housner, manager of Bargain Nook, a nonprofit clothing store. “Folks just seem to be really nice, and it’s a nice, clean town. There’s a lot to do.”
Community has homes from several generations
Mount Horeb’s neighborhoods have straight and gently winding roads lined by mature maple trees. The village’s hilly landscape also allows many homes to have exposed basements. Homes here were throughout the 20th century, and some areas offer new construction as well. Popular styles include American Foursquare, Craftsman bungalow and Queen Anne, ranch-style and modern traditional homes. There are also new Craftsman-style homes in the age-restricted community of Windflower Village. Most homes in the area go from about $290,000 to $600,000. Larger homes on bigger lots may run between $700,000 and $900,000.
Downtown eateries serve breakfast, comfort foods and craft drinks
The historic downtown has landmarks like Mt. Horeb Opera Block, a prominent three-story Queen Anne building. Staples here include Sunn Cafe, which serves scratch-made soups, salads and grilled sandwiches and has some outdoor seating. The Viking Bar & Grill offers beer, pub fare and a place to watch sports. Buck & Honey’s makes upscale comfort foods and offers outdoor seating. Brix Cider and Grumpy Troll Brew Pub offer some options for craft drinks. Miller & Sons Supermarket is a family-owned grocery store that’s been here for several generations. “It’s a lot of little mom-and-pop shops,” Housner says. “You’re not going to find a dollar store in town.”
Outdoor activities include soccer, golf, fishing and stargazing
Grundahl Park is a village meetup point. The 13-acre park’s amenities include a playground and a baseball field. A small stage is also used for Wednesday Night Live, a free summer concert series. Sunrise Park has some soccer fields and a skatepark, while Norsk Golf Club offers a public nine-hole course and an eight-lane bowling alley. Military Ridge State Trail, a 40-mile path, passes through the village. Stewart Lake anchors a 191-acre park on the village’s outskirts. The park draws swimmers during the summer and provides spots for trout and bass fishing. Mount Horeb is also 5 miles north of Donald County Park, a 775-acre area with oak woods and horseback-riding trails. The park is popular for stargazing and spotting bluebirds.
Mount Horeb district serves the community
Mount Horeb Area School District covers the area and gets a B-plus from Niche. For the early years, Mount Horeb Early Learning Center serves prekindergarten and kindergarten and Mount Horeb Primary Center serves Grades 1 and 2; both are rated B. Mount Horeb Intermediate Center, serving Grades 3 through 5, gets an A-minus. Students may then continue to Mount Horeb Middle, rated A-minus, and Mount Horeb High, rated B-plus. Mount Horeb Middle has a diverse music program. In addition to traditional activities like choir and band, the school offers groups focused on jazz and fiddle music.
Village has festivities for all seasons
Mount Horeb celebrates its history and culture through events like February’s Scandihoovian Winter Festival. Attendees wear red pointy hats and either watch or participate in various activities around the village. Contests include fat tire bike races, frozen turkey bowling and a spelling bee. In June, many come to Grundahl Park for Summer Frolic’s live music, parade and carnival rides.
Commuters use U.S. 18 to visit neighbors and Madison
U.S. Highway 18 goes to nearby communities like Blue Mounds and Barneveld. Commuters also use the highway to go to Madison, 22 miles east. “I know a lot of people like to live here because you can hop on 151/18 and, boom, you’re in Madison,” Housner says. “You can get wherever you need to go rather quickly.” The state capital has Dane County Regional Airport, a local hub for commercial flights. University Hospital in Madison is one of the nearest major medical facilities.
Community experiences frigid winters
Newcomers should prepare for frigid winters, as the area usually gets nearly 50 inches of snow annually. The area has average winter low temperatures of 11 degrees.
