LAFAYETTE COUNTY
County Offices
625 Main St
Darlington 608-776-4850
www.co.lafayette.wi.gov
Situated in the Southwestern part of Wisconsin, Lafayette County lies within the unglaciated area of the state in the region bordering the State of Illinois. With an area of 643 square miles or 411,520 acres, it has a population of more than 16,500 residents.
Lifestyle
Lafayette County, Wisconsin is a wonderful place to visit year round. Driving along the miles of country roads through the rolling hills of Lafayette County, residents enjoy the bounty and rich history of southwestern Wisconsin. The result is a community and region rich in beautiful views, rolling farmlands, and recreational opportunities. With beautiful rivers for canoeing and fishing, miles of trails for ATVs, snowmobiles, cross country skiing, horse riding, hiking and bicycling,
Recreational opportunities abound in this land-rich area. Golfers have the advantage of nearly year-round play on well-maintained courses. Organized sports are available for all age groups through local cities. Soccer, softball, baseball, and volleyball are just a few of the competitive sports that bring friends and neighbors together. Swimming, bicycling, hiking, picnicking, or just enjoying lush parks are all popular leisure activities. Canoe and kayak enthusiasts enjoy peaceful floats down the twin branches of the Pecatonica River. The County’s Fever River offers another great paddling adventure and one of the nation’s best fisheries.
Although the world-class attractions of Madison are less than an hour from home, the county has developed amenities and special events, county festivals and galleries. Antique shops blend with shopping plazas throughout the county for retail options. The good life in Lafayette County blends easy access to metropolitan amenities with homespun delights and local attractions. Recreational facilities and opportunities include regional parks, golf, swimming pools, ball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields and recreational fishing. Regional parks invite every imaginable outdoor adventure. The 90-mile-long Pecatonica River, which flows through Darlington, was once one of the major pearl producing rivers in the country. Today, the river is the longest unrestricted waterway in Wisconsin and offers up great Catfish, Walleye, and Northern fishing opportunities
Early 20th century architecture is carefully preserved in the cities and villages that were born of lead mining settlements in the 1800’s. With fertile soil and rolling hills, farming continues as the primary enterprise of Lafayette County. The Lafayette County Fair continues to provide the greatest summer entertainment year after year. From local 4H, FFA and other youth organization exhibits to outstanding grandstand events, the fair draws thousands to the area each year.
Lafayette County offers its residents a high quality of life, a quiet lifestyle and natural beauty that making living in this community a great choice.
Services
The regional economy of Lafayette County is reliant on a diverse mix of businesses from small service companies to larger manufacturers. Residents will find a broad range of opportunities for employment in many fields. Lafayette County is one of the leading agricultural counties in the state, with 1,400 farms averaging 285 acres in size. Agriculture is the leading enterprise of the County.
Health care is a priority in the county and is well represented by an excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. There are more than 100 physicians practicing in the area. Nursing care and assisted living for long and short-term patients, as well as postoperative, elderly, ambulatory/bedfast and chronically ill patients, and Alzheimer’s care is available. The county is home to a variety of medical specialty facilities as well. The Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County was built in 1952 and supports the health care needs of Lafayette County citizens and the surrounding area. As a 25-bed critical access hospital, the hospital provides a full range of acute care inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient services include medical care, major and minor surgery, obstetrics, newborn nursery, orthopedics, cardiac care and pharmacy services. The hospital also continues to be one of Lafayette County’s largest employers with over 100 staff members and has services of more than 50 medical and specialty providers.
Lafayette County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Lafayette County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. For higher education, the county is also home to a University of Wisconsin Extension Campus.
The lack of traffic and urban bustle, the friendly people, and a slower living pace combine with low property taxes and high property values for a superb quality of life. Historic sites, museums, restaurants, and libraries add to the quality of life.
Darlington
City Hall
627 Main St
Darlington 608-776-4970
www.darlingtonwi.org
Chamber of Commerce
447 Main St
Darlington 608-776-3067
www.darlingtonwi.org/Chamber_Home_Page.html
Darlington is the county seat of Lafayette County and home to more than 2,500 residents. The city is surrounded by the Town of Darlington. Together they are home to more than 3,200 residents.
Darlington’s historic Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The community is known as the “Pearl of the Pecatonica” because the Pecatonica River flows through the town, and people used to harvest the clams out of the river to make pearl button blanks.
The Pecatonica River Trails Park is a city-maintained campground with 24 sites of river-front camping. There is also a paved walking/biking trail that follows the River through town. Many local residents canoe and fish in the Pecatonica River. Darlington has a public swimming pool that is open every day from June until August. Riverside Park has a softball field, basketball court, and playground, and Black Bridge Park has sand volleyball courts, soccer field, and flag football field. The community has a Veterans Memorial Park and Festival Grounds. Darlington is also near Yellowstone Lake State Park, where there is swimming, camping, fishing, and boating. Golfers can visit the Darlington Golf and Country Club and its nine hole course. The Cheese Country Recreational Trail, which is over 50 miles long, is popular with ATV riders and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It passes through Monroe, Belmont, and Mineral Point.
During the summer, there are Friday night stock car races, and a county fair. Darlington hosts the annual Canoe Fest in June, where there are canoe races, live music, a carnival, and a parade. The Lafayette County Fair is in July and has displays of livestock, a midway, a carnival, and a concert. Pecatonica Valley Antique Days are held in September, and the Holiday Open Houses are in November. There is an annual Holiday Parade the first Saturday in December.
Darlington is served by the Darlington Community Schools district. Darlington High School contains grades 9 through 12. Darlington Elementary-Middle School serves children in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
Residents of Darlington can find everything they need close to home. They enjoy an relaxed lifestyle in a setting that is traditional Americana at its best.
Shullsburg
City Offices
190 N. Judgement Street
Shullsburg 608-965-4424
www.shullsburgwisconsin.org
Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 626
Shullsburg 608-482-3182
Shullsburg is home to more than 1,500 residents who enjoy a high quality of life in this small and pleasant community. The City of Shullsburg dates as Wisconsin’s third oldest community. The city of was founded in 1827 – by immigrants drawn to the area to mine lead and zinc. Mining played a significant role in this part of the state and particularly in Lafayette County. Shullsburg offers several recreational opportunities for its residents, whether its hiking, biking or fishing. The community is near Yellowstone Lake State Park. This 1,000-acre park has a 455-acre lake and facilities for camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking and picnicking. In winter the park is open to ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Nearby are several other parks, rivers and lakes to enjoy. Shullsburg also maintains Badger Park which was constructed during the 1930’s. It is home to a baseball field, football field, tennis courts and picnic areas. With its relatively close proximity to major metro areas and small town charm, Shullsburg is a great place to settle.
