COLUMBIA COUNTY
County Offices
400 DeWitt St
Portage 608-742-9654
www.co.columbia.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
104 West Cook St
Portage 608-742-6242
www.portagewi.com
Columbia County is home to more than 52,000 residents. Its county seat and largest city is Portage. The county is located just north of Madison and only a short drive from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis —featuring an area with an abundance of leisure activities and known for its fishing, skiing, resorts, parks, golf, galleries and restaurants.
The County is home to more than 20 cities, towns and villages. The county is also home to a large Amish population. Most of the towns and villages have small populations of less than 1000 residents and are primarily rural in nature, but offer the charm and quiet that small town living is known for.
Lifestyle
Mostly rural Columbia County offers growing communities filled with first-rate amenities and friendly small communities as well as some new subdivisions across the countryside. Residents have easy access to entertainment and cultural attractions in nearby metropolitan centers like Madison and Milwaukee, but they also enjoy a wealth of advantages close to home. Community theatre, musical and choral concerts, fine-art galleries, a famous sculpture park, historic districts, intriguing museums, and art centers that combine exhibits with workshops and classes are among the highlights.
When it comes to shopping in this area, a variety of local and national department stores, supermarkets, antiques, furniture, hardware, florists and lumber yards can be found. The historic downtown district serves as a charming backdrop. While along Highways 51 and 16, complimenting the downtown are many other dining establishments, specialty stores, entertainment venues and a variety of larger national retail chains located in the community.
Natural and developed recreational sites are abundant in this area, where even small towns are committed to preserving open space and developing parks for year-round use. Newcomers can look forward to four-season outdoor enjoyment and the ideal setting for every sport and activity. Snowmobiling, hiking, biking, camping fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and participating in supervised league sports and programs are all common pastimes. Summer highlights range from a famous water-skiing show to local festivals, although the entire calendar is dotted with exciting dates. Each community in the county demonstrates its pride and heritage in events and celebrations that strengthen longstanding traditions.
The housing selection in the area ranges from rambling farmhouses and architecturally interesting homes in historic districts to newer construction, subdivisions, and country manors. While the homes are pleasingly affordable when compared to those in metropolitan centers, the quality life is truly enviable. Regardless of where you choose to settle in Columbia County, you will be greeted by friendly smiles and gracious hospitality.
Services
While agriculture, tourism and manufacturing dominate the county economy, healthcare and educational facilities are on a caliber with bustling metropolitan centers. Divine Savior Healthcare has been serving the healthcare needs of the area since 1917. Divine Savior maintains an acute-care hospital, extended care facility, a medical center and community clinic, an active medical staff of over 50 board certified physicians, an outreach clinic with more than 30 specialists, and 24-hour emergency care and ambulance service. Divine Savior Healthcare’s Medical Center offers a full range of outpatient services including specialized care for all ages such as obstetrics, pediatrics and internal medicine, as well as Home Care, physical, occupational, speech and audiology therapies. Divine Savior also offers cardiac rehabilitation, surgical services and comprehensive imaging services. A number of highly qualified and skilled medical and health care professionals with offices in Portage ensure that the health care needs of all citizens. In addition UW Health University Clinics focus on providing high quality primary health care for patients of all ages. Backed by the expertise of UW Hospital, University Clinics offer care in internal medicine and family medicine; pediatric and adolescent medicine for children from newborns to young adults; gynecology, obstetrics and nurse-midwifery; and geriatric medicine tailored to the special needs of older adults. And in the city of Portage, Portage Clinic is a regional clinic of Dean/St. Mary’s, which was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and Dean Medical Center, more than 100 providers are available in such specialties as internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, podiatry and general surgery. Portage has several chiropractic clinics, dentists, optometrists and physical therapy providers available to the residents of the county as well.
Complementing the quality public and private schools that serve students from pre-school through 12th grade in Columbia County, the region offers easy access to institutions of higher education from two-year campuses to major universities. From vocational and career training to four-year degrees and graduate studies that include doctoral and professional programs, students of all ages can meet their lifelong academic goals.
Columbus
City Hall
105 N. Dickason Blvd
Columbus 920-623-5900
www.cityofcolumbuswi.com
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 362
Columbus 920-623-3699
www.columbuswichamber.com
Columbus is a city in Columbia and Dodge Counties in the south-central part of Wisconsin. It is home to more than 4,900 residents. Columbus is located about 28 miles northeast of Madison on the Crawfish River. Small town living is what Columbus is all about. It is a city that embraces its history, in fact, the entire downtown is an historic district on the National Register. What is even more unusual is that buildings such as the 1892 City Hall, 1916 Park Pavilion and 1912 Carnegie Library all still serve their original purposes. Many of the local homes are also quite historic and beautiful many of historic homes are on tree-lined streets that are popular for walking tours. Residents will also find shops, restaurants and all of the services that they need, close to home. Shoppers will delight in the antiques that the area is famous for as well. The Columbus Antique Mall & Museum is Wisconsin’s largest antique mall, home to more than 70,000 square feet of antiques. The local natural beauty and gently rolling country roads make the region a must for biking enthusiasts and those just looking to explore a quiet country road. Columbus is a small city with a lot to offer its residents, all within a short drive of the urban bustle of Madison.
Lodi
City Hall
130 South Main St
Lodi 608-592-3247
http://www.cityoflodi.us/103/City-Hall
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 43
Lodi 608-592-4412
www.lodiwisconsin.com
The City of Lodi was incorporated November 6, 1941. It is situated in a valley among gently rolling hills near the Wisconsin River. Spring Creek meanders through the City including the Main Street Area. Lodi is approximately 25 miles from Madison and is currently home to more than 2,900 residents. Residents of the City of Lodi enjoy several beautiful City Parks and a free public pool in Goeres Park. The City also offers a nine-hole public golf course. The school district is is home to state of the art middle and high schools making Lodi an excellent place for families with children to live. The City provides a wide range of municipal services, including public safety (police, fire, and emergency medical service), public utilities (electric, water, and sewer), public works, parks, library, and general government services. Lodi is a vibrant city, closely connected with water. Whether as the gateway to the Wisconsin River Scenic Byway, Lake Wisconsin, the Merrimac Ferry, Wisconsin Dells or other areas North of the city, or as home to Susie the Duck. Lodi is a great place to call home.
Portage
City Hall
115 West Pleasant Street
Portage 608-742-2176
https://www.portagewi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
104 West Cook St
Portage 608-742-6242
www.portagewi.com
Portage is the county seat of Columbia Count. It is home to almost 10,000 residents making it the largest city in Columbia County. The city is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area. Portage was named for the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway, a portage between the Fox River and the Wisconsin River. Portage is geographically located on a narrow strip of land separating the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers in south central Wisconsin. The city has a rich historical background, evident by the places of historical interest including the Portage Canal, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail; Indian Agency House; Surgeon’s Quarters; and Society Hill. Portage is about 35 miles from Madison, 90 minutes from Milwaukee and about three hours from Chicago or the Twin Cities.
Residents enjoy four seasons of recreation in Portage. When the Wisconsin winter arrives, residents can enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding at Cascade Mountain. There are miles of cross-country ski trails that crisscross the countryside and the ancient Scottish sport of curling brings loyal teams to the curling club’s indoor rink. A local favorite is Pauquette Park, complete with fountains, bridges and scenic walkways. Pauquette Park also plays host to youth hockey leagues and figure skating. The warmer seasons bring local golfers on to the fairways of the local courses. The Wisconsin River and other area lakes are stocked full of game fish. Boaters too, can take advantage of the many lakes and rivers that Wisconsin is famous for. Nearby woods and wetlands offer all types of outdoor recreation as well. Some of the other attractions within a short drive of Portage include; the famous Wisconsin Dells, Pirate’s Cove, Dells Upper Boat Tour, Wisconsin Ducks and Devils Head State Park, with camping, swimming, boating and hiking.
Portage continues to grow as people discover that the community has some of the most affordable and diverse living accommodations anywhere. New homes, condominiums and apartment complexes are built in well-established, clean neighborhoods of streets shaded by mature trees all close to schools, shopping and city parks. Downtown, the historic retail district offers residents a chance to browse quaint shops, dine on fine food or just relax with friends. Portage is recognized statewide for its outstanding public education system. Higher education opportunities in Wisconsin rank among the best in the country and Portage is the site of a satellite campus of the Madison Area Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin Center campus in Baraboo, just 20 minutes from Portage, provides academic courses in a rural campus setting. The prestigious University of Wisconsin at Madison is only a short drive away. In Portage, residents find modern living in a historic setting, with all of their needs met close to home.
