Touring the Elroy-Sparta State Trail Part Two

This is part two of a phototour of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. We’ll pick up where we left off before, leaving Norwalk.

Wilton

The next town is Wilton, population 504. It is about at the midway point and advertises itself at the “heart of the trail”

Wilton, Wi welcome sign
Wilton Welcome Sign
Cabosse at Wilton, WI on the Elroy Sparta State Trail
Wilton Caboose
Bicycle Riding Helmet Hair Elroy Sparta Trail
Showing off my horrible riding helmet hair at the Caboose

Wilton also has a public pool, a good place to take a break if you’ve brought your swimming suits along.

Here’s a section of trail between Wilton and Norwalk

Trail outside of WIlton
The entrance to tunnel 1 between Wilton and Kendall

Mile 26: Kendall

Kendall, Population 472, is home to the trail headquarters

Kendall Welcome Sign on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Kendall Welcome Sign
Kendall, Wisconsin Street on the Elory-Sparta State trail
Kendall Street

Here’s the Kendall Depot, Built in 1900, it was restored in 1964. It now houses trail offices as well as the railroad museum, modern restrooms, and a small store selling souvenirs and trail passes.

Kendall Depot Elroy Sparta State Trail
Kendall Depot

Another view of the Depot

Another View of the Depot. Public Domain

Bicyclists at Kendall Depot

Gazeba at the Kendall Depot, Elroy Sparta Trail
Gazebo at the Kendall Depot

Here’s a historical plaque

Historical marker at Kendall, WI Elroy Sparta State Trail
Historical marker at Kendall
Elroy Sparta Trail Sign
Elroy Sparta Trail Sign

Some Amish live in the area and it’s not uncommon to see a buggy.

Amish Buggy in Kendall
Amish Buggy in Kendall

Mile 32: Elroy

Finally We’re at Elroy. At population 1442 it’s the second largest town on the trail, after Sparta.

Elroy Welcome Sign
Elroy Welcome Sign

Here’s the main street. The theater was built in 1937. It’s still showing first run movies and is the only theater in Juneau County. It’s a family run business and has a new digital projector, while maintaining the original art deco interior

Elroy, Wisconsin Main Street
Elroy Main Street
Downtown Elroy Buildings
Downtown Elroy Buildings Public Domain
Elroy Wisconsin Street Light State trail
Elroy Street Light
Sign on Elroy, WIsconsin building
Sign on Elroy Buidling

The Elroy museum is houses in the old Masonic Temple. It was built in 1914 in the collegiate gothic style. Besides the usual local history displays there is a model train inside.

Elroy Town Museum

In Elroy is a historical marker referencing the trail.

Elroy-Sparta State Trail historical marker
Elroy-Sparta State Trail historical marker
Elroy has a swimming pool and campground

The fire department next to Elroy commons. The trail shop has restrooms and showers as well as selling trail passes and renting bicycles. Although it looks like and old railroad depot, it is a modern structure, built in 1991

Fire Department

The trail ends at Elcro

From Elroy the you can continue to ride on trails: the Omaha State Trail goes north to Camp Douglas, while the “400” trail continues on southeast. But this phototour is at an end.

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