Lead Mining Region of Wisconsin

Welcome to Shullsburg, Wisconsin's oldest Irish community and 3rd oldest city in Lafayette County Wisconsin. Shullsburg is rich in history, architecture, and commerce.

Fur traders first traversed the area as early as 1815. Locations of rich lead deposits were made known to Jesse Shull in the summer of 1826 at present day Shullsburg. A great "Lead Rush" immediately followed. Wisconsin's lead region produced a lead and zinc mining industry which continued for 150 years.

The "architecture" of the first 1826 prospectors consisted of crudely covered holes dug in the ground. These prospectors were appropriately called badgers, after the small ornery animals that lived in dug-out burrows.

Then came crude log buildings. These Wisconsin historic sites are impressive rock structures by Cornish and Irish immigrants sprang up in the 1830's and 40's. Wood frame structures became more common in the 1840's and later years. Brick was the popular choice by the 1880's. Many of the buildings from the 1830's on are still in use and can be found on historic Water Steet in downtown Shullsburg, Wisconsin. Styles include Federal, Greek Revival, Romanesque, Gothic, Italianate, Victorian, and many very interesting vernacular types.

The first commerce in the area was fur trapping and hunting, followed by lead mining. Mercantile and professional endeavors soon followed. Shullsburg started as a true wild west prospecting town.

Today, Shullsburg is proud of its Nationally Registered Historic Water Street Business District.
44 buildings are listed on the National Register. Almost all are meticulously restored, occupied by thriving businesses. 30 unique specialty shops in 12 buildings, several restaurants and pubs, 2 historic inns for lodging, conference facilities with breakout rooms, as well as many quality professions. The Risken-Lee Holiday House, Lead Region Lodge and the Water Street Place Historic Inn are from this era and today are used as modern day, charming guest house lodging/bed and breakfasts. And of course, Shullsburg is the home of Shullsburg Cheese, from Shullsburg Creamery, a quality assurance and time honored tradition since 1934.
 
Spend a day, weekend, a week in Shullsburg, Wisconsin and Southwest Wisconsin. Shop for furniture, accessories, jewelry, flowers, specialty foods, cheese,and hardware. Take a 3 hour driving tour of old mining sites. Sit down and enjoy great meals and drinks. Sleep over in beautifully restored, clean and comfortable, historic Wisconsin inns. Visit, within 30 minutes of town, many interesting and exciting Wisconsin tourist attractions.

Bring your family and friends to Shullsburg - truly your destination to discovery.

For more information on your family vacation to Lafayette County Wisconsin,
contact Pam Wymore (608) 482-3182

email

Walk on Historic Water Street in Shullsburg, Wisconsin!