choose another county

"A self-guided tour of the Burlington Liars' Club championship lies immortalized on bronze plaques displayed on public buildings and storefronts throughout the downtown area. Visit Burlington's past, stroll past stately old homes and the historic business district. Enjoy this unique brand of American humor. The brochure is available at the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce..."
- section from Burlington Chamber of Commerce website

  Burlington Chamber of Commerce
113 East Chestnut Street
Burlington, WI  53105
(262) 763-6044

Chamber hours:
(Mon - Fri)  9am – 5pm  /  (Saturdays)  10am – 2pm

Logic Puzzle Museum hours:
    (Tues & Wed)  1pm – 6pm  /  (Saturdays)  10am – 2pm

Top Museum hours:
special times & appointments only  (see official website)

  1525 Howe Street
Racine, WI  53403
contact: GOLDEN RONDELLE THEATER
(262) 260-2154

tour hours:
reservations requested  (Fridays)  11am & 1:15pm

"Wingspread is configured in wings, which fan out like a pinwheel from the central dome...The arrangement of the wings allows nearly every room easy access to a patio or balcony. The center of Wingspread is a living space Wright dubbed a “wigwam.” The 40- by 60-foot octagonal room is dominated by a 30-foot high chimney, around which are ranged four distinct living areas: a dining area, an inglenook, an intimate library, and a formal living room. Each space features a fireplace and built-in furniture that Wright designed for Wingspread. The mezzanine also features one of Wright’s less successful innovations: a fireplace designed to burn 12-foot logs leaning vertically against the firewall. Unfortunately, when the fireplace was first lighted, the logs burned from the bottom, collapsed, and fell into the room."
- section from the official site

  33 East 4 Mile Wind Point
Racine, WI  53402
(262) 681-3353

tour hours:
(Tuesday - Thurs)   9:30am – 3pm
No tours are given during conferences.

"On November 20, 1933, four masked men entered the American Trades Bank (now the M&I Bank) on the corner of Fifth and Main Street in downtown Racine. One of the four was John Dillinger He and his gang robbed a teller of over $27,000, undeterred by the arrival of the police. Leaving the bank with their hostages -- including the bank president and three women -- they were slowed by the crowd which had gathered in the street, but eventually made their way out of town. During the robbery, they took a Model 1928 Thompson submachine gun from a police officer. The gun, with John Dillinger's signature on the stock, was recovered two months later when gang members were captured in Tucson, Arizona. Today it is on display in the police department lobby."
- section from Argus Tech Services website

  lobby of the Racine Police Headquarters
730 Center Street
Racine, WI  53403
(262) 635-7772

hours:
call ahead for hours

"This hallowed Midwest facility is the longest continuously operating drag race track and open more dates then any other track in the United States...This track is more to its fans then just a great spectator seat, it also allows fanatics to take part in the thrill of drag racing themselves with many events and weekly activities that allow fans to experience the exhilaration of competition."
- section from Discover Wisconsin website

  18411 1st St.
Union Grove, WI  53182
(262) 878-3783

hours:
• April thru October  (Tues - Sun)
• November  (weekends only)

"One of three dedicated Fire Museums in Wisconsin this is a former Racine Fire Station that dates to 1882. The museum has been restored to the early 1900's and includes both horse drawn and motorized fire fighting equipment in addition to many artifacts and photos."
- section from Wisconline website

  700 Sixth Street
Racine, WI  53403
(262) 637-7395 or (262) 637-1369

hours:
(Sundays)  1pm – 4pm
CLOSED HOLIDAYS

"The Kewpee is famous throughout the midwest as one of the oldest and best hamburger restaurants... [Rose O'Neil] was the creator of the original Kewpie Dolls back in 1909 who once said they came to her in a dream dancing around her head...The new Kewpee retains the classic art deco look of the one built in 1939...All together the Kewpee has been in operation for over 70 years. It is part of a small franchise. It is one of the oldest franchises in the country and had over 200 restaurants east of the Mississippi before WWII."
- section from Official Site

  520 Wisconsin Ave.
Racine, WI  53403
(262) 634-9601

hours:
(Mon - Fri)  7am – 6pm  /  (Saturdays)  7am – 5pm
CLOSED SUNDAY

  (just east of the intersection of Highways 11 & 75)
26640 Highway 11
Union Grove, WI  53139

"The aliens are here! See the Roswell Incident, Alien Autopsy and abductions! learn about crops circles, Area 51 and the face on Mars! Meet the giants, learn of ancient races and religions, Star War and Star Trek Characters, Fairyworlds, Et, Planet of the Apes and much much more...."
- section from the official site

Linda Godfrey interviews this barn-painter by day, artist-by-all-other-times in her book "Strange Wisconsin".

  was held in Old Settler's Park in late June

Buried in Burlington Cemetery are the remains of James Strang, who in 1844, attempted to gain leadership of the Mormon Church after the death of its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.  Rejected from doing so, Strang and his followers settled west of Burlington and established the City of Voree.  In 1845, Strang discovered small brass plates buried in the "Hill of Promise" near Voree.  The plates were inscribed with the record of the "Rajah Manchou of Vorito".  Three years later, Strang and his followers pulled up stakes and moved to Beaver Island near the northern tip of Lake Michigan.  There the faithful resided until they were forced out by those opposed to their beliefs.  Strang was wounded and later died back in Voree.  Before being evicted from the island, Strang had declared himself "King" of his people.

  From Waterford, head west on Highway 20.  At the outskirts of town, turn right onto Highway 83.  Look for the barn after traveling about 3/4 of a mile.

Haunted Kmart

Merchandise in this store becomes animated during the late-shift.

Bosch Employees Spot UFOs  (2002)

"The week prior to this, date unknown, we were all outside at 4:00am, our lunch period, when all of a sudden over the top of the building behind us a large white, circular ball appeared coming from east to west. At the same time me and a co-worker responsed (sic) 'what is it that?'."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Root River Bridge

Racine UFO Sightings

"Just then, the object turned a little on its side, and only then could I make out the shape of an oblong triangle, the red lights being on all of its tips and a white light in its middle."
- section from UFO Wisconsin September 1990 report

DeKoven Center

Northside Mega Pick 'n Save

UFO Over Highway 31  (2002)

"When I looked I could see this object, that was just over the tree line and was about the size of a quarter and very bright white."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Glow in the Steeple

A mysterious glow was visible in the church's steeple in the 1970's.  When investigated, a discovery was made that may have saved the church itself! 

UFO Near Wind Lake  (2002)

"When I was looking at the stars when I saw something that was square shaped if stopped for about 30 seconds and then it started moving slowly and then it disappeared."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Chances Restaurant & Bar

Ghosts are observed and paranormal activity occurs in this former site of the Union Tavern.  Seven different specters have been identified, some of which may have assisted the owners in protecting the establishment.

Burlington Cemetery

Diamond-shaped Craft Over Eagle Lake  (2003)

"...I took notice of what I assumed was a bird soaring directly overhead but it was at an extremely high altitude and perfectly steady. I immediately realized that the perfect diamond shape (like a playing card) was no bird."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

"Franksville's Strange Visitor"  (1968)

Living with Ghosts

Saucer-shaped Craft Seen Near I-94  (2003)

"But I noticed that in addition to it being circular and flat, that it also seemed to be spinning (but slowly)."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Strange Objects Observed  (2004)

"Two or three of the objects are starting to move slowly toward one another right now, while the others are stationary. I also observed one very quick flash across the sky earlier."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

"The Mount Tom Bear"

A grizzled hermit may still walk the dark woodlands of Racine County years after his tragic death.

Professor of English Language Sees UFO  (2007)

"Man that ufo was crazy..it was hummin and flyin over us we didnt know what to do..."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Haunted Burlington Tours

Several different tours of the haunted Burlington area are offered by Mary Sutherland, paranormal researcher and owner of the Sci-Fi Care in Burlington.  The most popular is the Haunted Woods Tour, where many tour-goers have encountered strange feelings, images and perceptions.

  Sci-Fi Cafe:  532 N. Pine Street
Burlington, WI  53105

hours:
call to schedule a tour:  (262) 767-1116

Sci-Fi Cafe listed in the Attractions section above.

"Ghosts of America" Haunted Location Reports
(take with a grain of salt)

The reports on this site are presumably fiction, using random Wisconsin place names in the stories listed there.  Even so, you might get a kick out of reading them.

"Four Ghosts...or More?"

Paranormal experiences a woman has had in her very haunted apartment are described in the book "Milwaukee Ghosts".

"Pepé"

Included in the book "Milwaukee Ghosts" is the tale of a murdered slave named Pepé, whose spirit now haunts a family's home.

"Learn all about turn of the century Racine County when visiting the Oak Clearing Farm. A variety of exhibits fill the buildings on the farm grounds. The Old Fore Exhibit, housed in the lower level of a barn, recreates a blacksmith/forge/machinery shop. Upstairs is the fanning mill museum and a gallery display of historical photos. Also be sure to visit the bottle museum, with displays of Racine Brewery bottles."
- section from Explore Wisconsin website

  704 Oak Clearing Drive
Union Grove, WI  53182
(414) 818-1688

hours:
May thru September  (Sat & Sun)

"Housed in a registered historic landmark building, the Racine County Heritage Museum is the largest in the county devoted to the preservation and use of artifacts and archived materials for the general public. Through exhibits, events and educational programs, it disseminates information about people, culture and events from 1830 to the present. In addition to three floors of exhibits, the museum includes a sales shop and archive."
- section from Argus Tech Services website

  701 S Main St.
Racine, WI  53403
(262) 636-3926

hours:
(Tues - Fri)  9am – 5pm  /  (Sat & Sun)  1pm – 5pm

"Historical and genealogical information on, and historical artifacts from, Burlington and the surrounding area...An extensive photograph and negative collection...Artifacts from the world famous Burlington Liars Club...Information on the Mormon settlement at Voree...Information on the Burlington area connections on the Underground Railroad...A turn-of-the-century kitchen and Victorian-era parlor display."
"The Society's Pioneer Log Cabin is one block north of the Museum in Wehmhoff Square (a downtown park)...The cabin is furnished as a post-Civil War farming family's home. Adjoining the cabin is a display of the area's agricultural history and period tools, along with a flower garden and a cabin garden where, depending on the year, vegetables or other crops are grown."
- section from Burlington Historical Society website

  232 N. Perkins Boulevard
Burlington, WI  53105
(414) 767-2883 or (414) 763-6471 or (414) 534-3619

museum hours:
(Sundays)  1pm – 4pm

log cabin hours:
May thru October  (Sundays)  1pm – 4pm

  From Highway 32 (Douglas Avenue), head east on 3 Mile Road.  Turn left on Lighthouse Drive all the way to the lighthouse.
(262) 639-3777

hours:
(daily) sunrise – 11pm
Tours to the Top:  1st Sunday in July, August & September.
Tours run from 10am – 5pm

  From Highway 32 (Main Street), 3 blocks south of the Root River in Racine, turn east onto Christopher Columbus Causeway.  Continue through the Marina until you reach a parking lot.  A viewing platform is nearby.