Because this part of Southwestern Wisconsin was without glaciers, we are known today as the ‘Driftless Area.’ Early explorers came here in the 1700’s, and Wisconsin became the 30th state in 1848.
Where it started
The human story of Wisconsin spans about 12,000 years! Archeologists believe people (and animals) began moving into our area at the end of the Ice Age. So the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the Mississippi River have been a fixture in many lives, past and present.
1903
In 1903, the Village of Stoddard was incorporated to serve farmers in the surrounding area. Back then, that meant general stores, blacksmith shops, a school, warehouses and a grain elevator near the railroad tracks.
1938
In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt established the Great River Road as America’s oldest and most distinguished byway.
Travelers enjoying the scenery, history, and culture along the Great River Road can thank previous generations for their forethought in preserving and developing this uniquely American treasure.
Today
Today, Stoddard is at the hub of bluffs, islands, prairies, hills and woods, preserved along a river route where every season brings something new.