Area Information
Before the railroads, many of the area's first settlers came up the Mississippi River. These early settlers were mostly farmers, but Sparta soon became the center of a large trade area. By 1900 Sparta had grown out of its pioneer past to meet the twentieth century as a front rank city.
Besides dairies, Sparta now had manufacturing, including a foundry and machine shops. World War I stimulated the growth of nearby Camp Robinson. From 1919 to 1923, it grew to over 100 square miles and became known as the "Sparta Ordnance Depot." It was renamed after Col. Robert B. McCoy, a prime owner of the land who served with distinction in the Spanish-American War and World War I, and who also became the mayor.
Sparta, known as the "Bicycling Capital of America," the "Home of the Fiberglass Animals" and the home of the "World's Largest Bicycle," hosts the northern end of the Elroy-Sparta Recreation Trail and the first rails-to-trails conversion in the nation.
Sparta is the home of unique specialty stores and eating places; historical museums and homes and interesting architecture. It is also home to the Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto, the Amish Community, Railroad and Doll Museum, Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum and other museums as well as the Little Red School House, a petting zoo in Tomah and much more! Also of interest are Butterfest, a Sparta community festival, Tomah's Lake Festival and Warrens' Cranberry Festival.
Only 5 miles from Sparta is the Fort McCoy United States Army Installation, a total force warfighter training center.
The Franciscan Skemp Mayo Health System and Gunderson Clinic serve health needs. The VA Medical Center is in Tomah and there are major hospital systems in LaCrosse.
Educational needs are met by 6 elementary schools, 3 private schools and a middle and high school. Post-secondary education is found at UW LaCrosse, Viterbo College and the main Campus of Western Wisconsin Technical College.
Over 60,000 people annually ride the Elroy-Sparta National Trail. Another 21.5
miles of biking pleasure is available on the LaCrosse River Trail. Perch Lake and Memorial Park offer excellent fishing and water sports, as do area lakes, rivers and streams.
Hunting opportunities are plentiful for deer and wild turkeys. There are also many golf courses throughout the county. Canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking, swimming and boating are very popular. Winter activities include horse-drawn bobsled rides, cross country and downhill skiing, tubing, ice skating, ice fishing, bowling and more! Monroe County has 190 miles of state-funded snowmobile trails plus many club trails.
The Sparta Community Ice Arena is open year-round for hockey and skating.
Come by Sparta today and take a look at all the available real estate in our area. We're here to help you any way we can.
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