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Begin your tour on Seventh Street in downtown Osseo.
SITE 1. OSSE0 is the northern “gateway” to Trempealeau
County and the home of the famous Norske Nook Cafe.
From Osseo follow Hwy 53 about 5 miles south to the scenic
overlook on the right (west) side of the highway at the top of
a long hill.
SITE 2. From the BUENA VISTA OVERLOOK you can observe the
ridges and valleys of western Trempealeau County. In the early
1930s a poured concrete marker was erected in memory of an
eccentric self-exiled hermit named Nicolas Bourlier.
From the Buena Vista Overlook continue south on Hwy 53 less
than 1 mile to Eimon Road. Turn left off Hwy 53 and drive
about 1 mile on Eimon Road to the junction with Skoyen Road.
Stay right on Skoyen Road and continue about 1 1/4 miles to
the junction with Huskelhus Road. Turn left (south) on
Huskelhus Road and drive south about 2 miles to the junction
with Hwy 121. (Huskelhus Road becomes Fillmore Road in Jackson
County)Turn right off Fillmore Road on to Hwy 121 and drive
west about 2 miles into the village of Pigeon Falls and the
white painted church with tall bell tower off to the left (south)and
just past Hwy P as you enter the east side of the village.
SITE 3. PIGEON FALLS The Pigeon Creek Lutheran Church was
built in 1874 by Norwegian immigrants who settled here in the
late 1860s. The church is in excellent condition and features
an unusual twelve light chandelier.
From Pigeon Falls turn left on Hwy 53 and drive about 7 miles
south-west through the unicorporated village of Coral City and
continue into downtown Whitehall.
SITE 4. WHITEHALL The arrival of the railroad in 1873
brought settlement and commerce to the City of Whitehall which
today is the county seat. A number of significant historic
buildings are located along Main Street. The historic Hopkins
House on Ervin Street is today the Oak Park Inn.
From Main Street in Whitehall drive south to the junction with
Hwy D (don’t take Hwy 53 to the left) Drive south on Hwy D
about 6 1/2 miles (past the first junction with Hwy N) to the
Fagerness Church on the right (north) side of Hwy N.
SITE 5. The FAGERNESS LUTHERAN CHURCH was built in 1902 by
local Norwegian immigrants and has been well maintained by the
congregation for over 100 years.
From the Fagerness Church go right on to Hwy N and proceed a
short distance to the junction with Square Bluff Road. Turn
right (north) and drive on Square Bluff Road about 4 miles to
Kurth Valley Road at a four-way intersection. Follow Kurth
Valley Road north to the junction with Hwy Q. Bear left on to
Hwy Q and drive about two miles into the city of Independence.
SITE 6. INDEPENDENCE was incorporated in 1876 and named in
honor of the US Centennial celebrated that year. SS. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church (1896) and the Independence City Hall and
Opera House (1903) are local landmark buildings.
From the Independence City Hall/Opera House drive west on
Adams St. to 6th Strteet (Hwy Q) Turn right (north) and
proceed out of town on Hwy Q. Follow Hwy Q for about 8 miles
along Silver Fox Ridge to a gravel town road about 1/2 mile
west of the Trempealeau/Buffalo County line. Turn right on to
Quarry Road (there is a quarry on the left and you are at the
top of the hill) Drive cautiously about 1/2 mile north to the
intersection with Hwy 121. Turn right (east) on to Hwy 121 and
drive about 3 miles to the junction with Hwy V. Turn left
(north) on to Hwy V and drive about 5 miles to the junction
with Hwy Z. Turn right (east) and stay on Hwy V. The Bennett
Valley Church is located on the right (south) side of Hwy V,
just past the intersection with Hwy Z.
SITE 7. EAST BENNETT VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH was built in
1909 by the predominately Norwegian settlers in the area. In
the early 1960s the church was closed and remained vacant
until 1992 when a local group restored and revitalized this
neighborhood landmark.
From the Bennett Valley Church continue north-east on Hwy V
past the two intesections with Hwy Y a total of about 5 miles
to the junction with Hwy 93. At Hwy 93 turn left (north) and
drive about 3 miles into the Village of Eleva.
SITE 8. ELEVA was settled in the 1870s and optomistically
named Little Chicago. Legend has it that the current name
resulted from an incomplete spelling of the word “elevator” on
a prominent local building.
From Eleva drive east 2 miles on Hwy 10 to Missell Road. Turn
right (south) on Missell Road and drive 1 mile to the
t-intersection with Hwy V. Turn right (west) on Hwy V and
drive about 2/10 of a mile to the Hamlin Corners Cemetery on
the left side of the road.
SITE 9. JAMES GRANT MARKER James W. Grant (1846-1941) was a
Civil War veteran who served with Company G of the 38th
Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He was a cousin of President
Ulysses S. Grant.
From the Hamlin Corners Cemetery drive east on Hwy V about 2
miles to the village of Strum.
SITE 10. STRUM. A local recreational attraction is Crystal
Lake, an impoundment of the Buffalo River created in 1937 by
the Depression era Works Progress Administration. The 36 mile
long gravel surface Buffalo River Trail is a multi-use trail
that extends from Fairchild in the east to Mondovi in the
west.
In Strum turn left at the stop sign on 5th St.(Hwy D) and
continue north on Hwy D through Strum to Hwy 10. Turn right
(east) and follow Hwy 10 about 8 miles to the City of Osseo
and the end of the tour.
Total Tour
Length -Approximately 70 miles - Three Hour (Half Day Tour)
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