Hometown History Tour

Known as the Mount Horeb Opera Block the Downtown Mount Horeb Opera House is now home to The Salon at Mount Horeb and The Yoga Space.

Built in 1895, the historic and massive, Queen Anne building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The oldest remaining school house in Mount Horeb, the District #1 School House is now used to host events, school groups, and a gathering place for the Mount Horeb community.

Built in 1889, it served students on the west side of town until 1919 and was originally located on West Main along with another larger school building. It was moved to this site in 2002 and, at that time, named a Mount Horeb Historic Site.

The Hoff Mall building, listed on the National Historic Registry, dates back to the very beginnings of Mount Horeb.

The original store purchased by Andrew Hoff in 1887 was the first business in early Mount Horeb and now serves as one of the main buildings on Main Street. Hoff Mall is now used as apartments and commercial mixed-use space but retains its historic charm to this day.

Built in the 1840s and once known as the ‘Verona House,’ this charming building in the heart of downtown has always been a gathering space for the community. Now the house serves as the home of Alice Good Coffee, a local favorite for coffee, pastries, and cozy vibes.

What was once an 1848 private residence is now Kismet Books, a local and favorite bookstore in the Sugar River Valley region.

The historic Matts House, a sturdy and stunning brick building with amazing detail to design, was once neglected but has been restored since and given new life as a community bookstore.

This former Baptist church, post office, doctor's office, funeral home, furniture store, ballroom, bakery, and hardware store (not all at once) is now Avanti's Italian Restaurant. Walk by for a visit out front or pop in for some of the best Italian eats you'll find in Wisconsin, and certainly in the heart of the Sugar River Valley.

Formerly the Verona Graded School, this property served as several school buildings that have since come and gone. Today only the circa-1918 Graded School building remains, now home to Art House 360, a community art and workspace.

Get a glimpse into Swiss History at the Swiss Historical Village Museum. Inside, the museum is operated by the New Glarus Historical Society and is dedicated to the preservation of the early pioneer history of New Glarus and the surrounding area. Visit during open season which runs May - October, and keep an eye out for public community events they host throughout the year.

Get your fix of Swiss grub at the historic Peumpel’s Olde Tavern. Joseph Puempel founded it as a boarding house and tavern in 1893, where it welcomed many Swiss immigrants seeking a new way of life.

The large murals inside depicting Swiss, Austrian and American history were painted by Albert Stuebin in 1913. Plus, you'll get some of the best beers, brats and curds you'll find in town.

Currently home to the offices of New Glarus Chamber of Commerce and the trailhead for the Sugar River State Trail – part of the Rails to Trails system.

The New Glarus Railroad Depot was built in 1887 as part of the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad's expansion into Green County, and served as a vital transportation hub for the Swiss immigrant community and their dairy products.

For nearly 75 years, the depot facilitated both passenger service and freight operations, playing a crucial role in New Glarus's development as a prominent Swiss-American settlement and cheese-making center.

Designed by J.C. Steinmann Jr, a Monticello architect, the New Glarus Bakery is a community staple for handmade Swiss and American-style pastries. Nearly 95% of ingredients are made in house, which means you're getting only the finest treats here.

Originally intended for use as a bakery, it has operated under various owners since April 1917. Some original equipment is still used in the current bakery, including an icebox and dumbwaiter.