choose another county

  (From Highway 41 north of Oshkosh, take the exit for Highway 76.  Almost immediately, 
take a right onto Green Valley Road, which runs northeast along Highway 41.)
5851 Green Valley Rd.
Oshkosh, WI  54904
(920) 966-9900

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  9am - 5pm

"Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the site of the world's largest aviation event (EAA AirVenture) the Museum is one of the most extensive aviation attractions in the world, a year-round destination for the entire family. Come and explore our world-class displays and galleries.  Marvel at aviation innovations in our collection of more than 250 historic airplanes. Spend time in one of our five movie theaters. Take a ride in a vintage airplane at Pioneer Airport-a real working aerodrome right out of the "golden age" of aviation. Witness a piece of history in the Eagle Hangar, our tribute to World War II aviation. And get "hands on" in Hangar X, our exciting interactive gallery for kids of all ages!"
- from the official site

  (southeast of intersection of Highways 41 & 44)
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920) 426-4818 or (920) 426-6876 or (920)426-4800

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  8:30am – 5pm  /  (Sundays)  10am – 5pm

"You've never Mini-Golfed with life-size dinosaurs? Now you can! See what you've been missing on our beautifully landscaped 18 hole Miniature Golf Course as a T-Rex keeps a watchful eye. Challenging twists and turns make this course fun for Mini-Golfers of all ages!"
- section from the official site

2007 UPDATE:  The business has closed.  The fate of the dinosaur statues is unknown.

"See the original New York Herald newspaper announcing the assassination of President Lincoln, the original ships log of the USS California from December 7, 1941, jeeps form World War II, Korea and Viet Nam, Women's service uniforms, allied and enemy weapons and more. Enjoy the PX Gift Shop and the growing reference library. Dedicated to peace, the Military Veterans Museum strives to further national pride and patriotism; to educate youth and adults regarding the role of the "citizen soldier"; and to provide an orderly collection and display of militaria and memorabilia."
- section from the Oshkosh CVB website

  Commerce St. at Pearl Ave.
Park Plaza Office Complex
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920) 426-8615

hours:
(Mon - Sat)  Noon – 5pm  /  (Sundays)  Noon – 3pm

  4150 Sherman Road
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920) 235-4910

hours:
February thru October  (Thursdays)  1pm – 3:30pm

In 1967, the town of Winneconne was left off the official state map of Wisconsin due to a printer's error.  In response, Winneconne's elected officials threatened to secede from the Union and create the Sovereign State of Winneconne (in jest, of course).  All was made right on the 1968 map, but the one-day secession is celebrated annually in July.

  22 W. Main Street
Winneconne, WI  54986
(920) 582-4305

  2413 S. Main St.
Oshkosh, WI  54902
(920) 231-5455

  7631 Highway 21
Omro, WI  54963

Huge Haunted Farmhouse
private property

  8482 County Road K
Omro, WI  54963

Hill of the Dead
at Fritz(y) Park

Mysterious Aircraft Observed  (2001)

"The aircraft was shaped like a triangle with three or four bright white lights on two sides and two red blinking lights."
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Riverside Cemetery

Ghosts of children have been observed.  See Unexplained Research at right for full details.

Strange Sounds in Bedroom

Friend's Unique Boutique
formerly Starseed Jewelry & Gifts

New age spirits.  Hopefully they're not the type that wear all those noisy wooden bracelets.

UPDATE:  Now that the building is home to a more generalized gift shop, I guess the wooden bracelet threat is over.

New Moon Cafe

Ghosts in the coffee house...  See Unexplained Research at right for full details.

Grand Opera House

"...there were new stories to tell about it's past. These stories were more on the mysterious side and involved the numerous ghost sightings and bizarre happenings that had taken place during the restoration work. Not surprisingly, the tales of ghosts and spirits still continue to be told today. Members of a local theater group called the Drama Lab had many strange encounters here in the 1980's with slamming doors, mysterious footsteps and other happenings. One actor rushed into a dressing room one night and came face to face with a man in old fashioned clothing who was holding a playbill from a show done in 1895. Another man was working in the balcony one night when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. When no one appeared, he looked around the corner and saw that the staircase was empty."
- section from Prairie Ghosts website

"The Power" of Doty Island

In the book "Northern Frights", author Dennis Boyer tells of an ancient stone structure that marks the site of spiritual energy.

"UFO Scares Fishermen"

" 'It was a glowing light, an orangish-reddish light,' said Sazama, who was fishing with Frye in a boat. 'I really got scared out there. I was looking for a place to hide in the boat.' "
- section from UFO Wisconsin report

Oshkosh Alien Encounters & UFO Sightings

"The Rocking Chair Still Rocks"

"The Tenet Ghost"

Darkness at Noon  (1886)

"Guardian Angel"  (1990)

"Butte Des Morts Skeletons"

In the book "Northern Frights", author Dennis Boyer tells of restless skeletons moving about the landscape.

Neenah UFO Sightings

"The lights than broke up into pieces, the orange and red tail was glowing behind it. Even though it broke into pieces it still continued to fly in a path."
- section from UFO Wisconsin 11-16-99 report

Valley Road Cemetery

"Story goes it was about 100 years ago when a groom was thrown from the carriage on the way to his wedding and died when he was caught in a tree, strangling on his bow tie. They say on certain nights, you can still see him hanging there."
- section from The Shadowlands website

"Lanky Night Walker"

While the men of the area were away at their logging camps, a tall, disquieting individual was observed multiple times on a street in the 19th-century community of West Algoma, walking with a cane and draped in black.

"Mrs. Courtney's Return"

An abandoned farmhouse draws spectators in the 1870's as odd lights begin to flash regularly from within after a resident's death.

Apple Blossom Bookstore

Paranormal activity has been reported here.  See "Strange Wisconsin" book for details.

Menasha High School

"It is known that tunnels were built in the 1940's connecting Buette Des Mortes school and Menasha H.S. together incase of a Nuclear Attack. During a school drill four kids got locked in the tunnel while trying to ditch school. You can hear them screaming, pounding on the doors, and yelling for help."
- section from The Shadowlands website

Haunted Locations from
Wisconsin Paranormal Investigation Team (WIX)

These following haunted locations are from WIX's website.  They are of known haunted locations in need of back stories explaining why they are haunted.  If you know anything about these locations, please email WIX with the information here.

"Voice on the Bridge"

A murder that took place on an Omro footbridge in the 1870's has never been solved.  Local farmer John Sullivan was gunned down in cold blood as he headed home at dusk, his assailant unknown.  Not too long after, another man witnessed a spectral figure holding a rifle, proclaiming it to be the murder weapon that took Sullivan's life.

Paine Art Center and Gardens

"The art center is a house that was built during the depression. Her and her husband were extremely wealthy, and owned most of Oshkosh. They owned the larger factories, and paid their employees with, vouchers to purchase goods at stores the couple owned. Basically keeping all the money under their tight control. When the people of Oshkosh learned of the Paine center being built, they threatened the couple that if they ever moved into it, the people of Oshkosh would kill them. The couple feared the people of Oshkosh. And never did move it. In fact NO one has ever lived in the Paine Fine Art Center. Mr. Paine did pass on first, and Mrs. Paine did out live him. She donated their house to the city, with one stipulation, no children under 18 were allowed in it. She was never able to have children, and therefore resented children. Children are allowed in the center now, but Mrs. Paine is no longer alive. It's said that you can see the woman roaming the house during tours. The couple has also been seen together "enjoying" the house they dreamed of living in together. Workers often say a lady at the back of the crowd will start to explain things in the house but when they look for who was talking the place the voice came from can not be found."
- section from The Shadowlands website

"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.

Winnebago Mental Health Institute

"In Sherman Hall, a strange shadow is seen after 1 AM most nights in old seclusion suite vestibules. Most likely a former patient named Rufus, who hung himself in same vestibule."
- section from The Shadowlands website

Oshkosh Ghost Walks

"Ghostwalks are conducted in the Oshkosh (Wisconsin) area approximately twice yearly. Anyone is welcome to participate. We usually walk the designated area taking photos, recording, looking for ghosts and spirits. After the walk, we may get together for snacks or pizza and discuss the walk and Oshkosh lore."
- section from

"Historic photos and artifacts bring the job of a bridge-tender to life."
- section from the Fox Cities website

  corner of Tayco & Main Streets
Menasha, WI  54952
(920) 967-5155

hours:
May thru October  (during navigational season)  10am – 7pm

"Venture into the lives of Neenah's people, from Native American through 19th century European explorers and settlers in exhibits of their tools, dishes and other artifacts of daily life."
- section from Explore Wisconsin website

  Neenah City Hall
211 Walnut St.
Neenah, WI  54956
(920) 751-4602

hours:
(Mon - Fri)   8am – 4pm

"With its wide variety of splendid woodwork in its original condition, its six fireplaces, gas light fixtures and original Anaglypta and Lincrusta wall coverings, it is a fine example of the kind of home built by the most prosperous Oshkosh lumber barons in the late 19th century."
- section from the Official Site

  234 Church Ave. 
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920) 232-0260

hours:
June thru September  (Sundays)  2pm – 4pm

"This 30 foot tall, unpainted brick tower is located on a man-made island several miles north of Oshkosh on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. Built [in 1940] to guide fishing boats to a large fish operations headquarters located here, the light was lit with a kerosene lantern, but was never electrified. The island is connected to the mainland by a wooden footbridge that has recently been restored."
- section from the Internet Public Library

  From Highway 45, head east on Snell Road for 3 miles.  After crossing County Road A, turn right on Sherman Road.  Follow Sherman all the way to end to see the lighthouse. 

hours:
Not accessible by land.  Nearby parking lot offers good view.

"[Built in 1945], This 39 foot tall white, brick tower is located in Kimberly Point Park on the northwestern edge of Lake Winnebago at the mouth of the Fox River. Twin porches sit on each side of the base of the tower forming a distinguishing landmark. It still operates as an active aid to navigation."
- section from the Internet Public Library

  From Highway 45, exit onto Main Street, heading east for a little over a mile.  The road curves to the east, becoming Wisconsin Avenue.  Follow this road until you reach the lakeshore, turning left into Kimberly Park.

hours:
Not open for tours.  Grounds are open during park hours.

"Built [in 1909] by William Bray with his own funds as a private aid to navigation, this 42 foot (to the top of the spire) tall lighthouse is located on Lake Winnebago's western shore where the Fox River empties into the lake. It is named after the architect who designed the tower. The lighthouse and the point where it sits have been named over the years for the owners of the land, including Bray, Thompson, and Buckstaff. In 1917, Thompson's Point Lighthouse (as it was then called) was the only government-licensed inland light and Mrs. Thompson was appointed as lighthouse keeper. During the late 1950's the light was no longer lit, but it was restored and relit in 1986. It continues to show a fixed red light today."
- section from the Internet Public Library

  at corner of Lake Street & Bay Shore Drive on Lake Winnebago at the mouth of the Fox River

hours:
Privately owned.  No tours.