The Cassville Ferry is now open for the season and extends a warm "welcome" to everone looking for an exciting experience of riding on this unique ferry crossing the River to Iowa. Enjoy Cassville this summer by driving on the newly completed Hwy 133 from Potosi to Cassville and being able to stand at the River's edge to observe the magnificant eagles. What ever the reason, or the season, no trains nor fences to obstruct your view. Come & enjoy!

Cassville is the home of the 1st Governor of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin´s Great River Road & National Scenic Byway - (Hwy 133) - heads west from Potosi for 16 miles to Cassville. Coming from the north downstream from Bridgeport on US Hwy 18, turn south & follow the GRR pilot's wheel into Cassville. The village's Riverside Park, with childrens´ playground areas, picnic facilities and a boat launch ramp, is the departure point for the Cassville Car Ferry.

The ferry is the fun way to cross the Mississippi River. It is identified as the connecting link between Wisconsin's Great River Road and Iowa's Great River Road. The ferry is beginning the 2010 season on May 2nd to Labor Day - seven days a week. (River Conditions Permitting) We are looking forward to another exciting year & hope you will join us!

The Cassville Car Ferry is something very special for our area of Wisconsin as it is the only ferry operating on the Upper Mississipi from Bettendorf to St. Paul and we invite you to include us in your upcoming vacation plans. You'll see, the magic of The Mississippi River will play havoc with your heart and encourage you to return! It is your support that shows how much the ferry is appreciated, not only as a means of transportation but as a genuine, exciting way of showing our children how life used to be when the ferry was the only way of crossing the river to the Iowa side.

At Riverside Park, please observe the beautiful Veterans Memorial completed overlooking the River. Join us for services on Memorial Day at 10:30am.

Whenever you come to Cassville, stop and enjoy Riverside Park. You will have found the most perfect place to watch the river traffic. The main channel runs parallel with the park and is very narrow here. Of the Upper Mississippi River, there is only one other place found as narrow as this. It is not unusual to see tows wait to pass depending upon the depth of the water. The very capable barge pilots can maneuvor 15 barges tied together into a tow. They converse with each other and with the lock master to know what's coming ahead of them. For one unit to stop, they need about a mile and one half. Safety on the river is very important. The strong backwash from a barge can capsize a smaller watercraft.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS :

1.How many semis of grain will fill one barge?

2.How can one tell if a barge is full of grain or empty?

3. On the navigational map of the river, Cassville is located at 606.06. At this point of the river, can you tell which direction the current flows, west to east, or north to south?

4. The barge pilots are required to travel day and night, rain or shine. What simple item becomes a pilot's "right hand" at night?

One mile north of Cassville on Cty. VV is Stonefield, the State Historical Society´s Museum of Agricultural History and Village Life. Historic farm implements are displayed in the State Agricultural Museum. A re-created 1890´s rural village features period shops, stores and businesses all provide the visitor with the charm of yesteryear.

A short walk leads to the home site of WISCONSIN'S FIRST GOVERNOR, Gov.Nelson Dewey. The estate, which originally consisted of 2000 acres, now comprises about 700 acres which includes Nelson Dewey State Parkwhich is open for year-around camping. Five of the original buildings are still visible on the estate that Gov. Dewey lovingly named Stonefield. Sadly, the Governor's home was destroyed by fire. However, it was rebuilt using the original foundation, side walls & the front doors. Similar to the original design, the reconstruction of the home is elequently explained by the tour guides. The home, decorated & untouched providing a "peek" into a time of life that once was and never to be again, is open May through the end of October.

In September, 2005 Stonefield, Stonefield Village & the Wisconsin Agricultural Museum received a prestigous honor from the Mississippi River Parkway Commission as being accepted as an Interpretive Center on the National Great River Road. Wisconsin has five historial sites to hold this honor.

On the same side of Hwy VV across a small creek from Gov. Dewey's home is the entrance to Nelson Dewey State Park, with wooded campsites, showers, scenic picnic areas, paved roads, and spectacular views ofThe Mississippi River from the high, tree-lined bluffs. The park is open year-round. Come to Cassville and enjoy the fresh beauty of a renewed year of scenic beauty beyond description!

During the months of November, December, January, February, & March, bald eagles provide a great attraction on The Mississippi River as they line up along the open water waiting for the power plant to reverse the water flow and free the screens of fish. The fish float downstream and become meals for the hungry little ones back at the nest! The best time (morning & afternoon) for watching this amazing event are 8:30am and 4:30pm daily throughout the winter. Watch the eagles, they knew when it's time to sit & wait near the water!

We are now finding White Pelicans making their March/April, & as late as July, home at Cassville. It is not unusual to see Blue Herons from spring throughout the fall,Canadian Geese and many species of ducks pass by making their way up river. Several pairs of Trumpeter Swans have been observed resting along peaceful areas of the River.

On June 29th of 2004,Cassville was privileged to be a part of The Grand Excursion. This event had been in the planning stages for four years and included four states.The Grand Excursion was an reenactment of the 1854 Excursion led by President Fillmore and his entourage of eastern businessmen who traveled by train to Bettendorf, IA and then transferred to the steamships to travel up the river to see if the new land would fit into their business plans of expansion.

154 years later, promotion of our area for business purposes still plays a very important part in tourism. Cassville invites businesses, large or small, to take a second look at our village. With a capable working force of citizens, municipal airport, car ferry, excellent paved roads in and out of the village, along with store fronts available for artesian shops, the Village of Cassville welcomes opportunities for new growth.

Cassville has four Houses of Worship: Church of Christ, River Valley Community Church, St Charles Catholic Church & St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Visitors are always welcome. In addition, Cassville Community Schools & St Charles Parochial School provide small class-size teaching by professional teachers.

For medical assistance, if needed, EMT & First Responders are on call, as well as The Cassville Fire Dept. In addition, Med Flight is available from LaCrosse & Madison.

Cassville has for your enjoyment, two supperclubs, three establishments, each serving refreshments & daily specials, two motels, bowling alley, two lighted tennis courts, swimming pool w/wading pool for little ones, public library, convenience store, two power plants, municipal airport w/lighted & paved runway, plumbing shop, electrical service, bank, post office, dental office, community clinic, chiropractic office, lumber yard, laundrymat, car wash, beauty shop, grocery store/emporium, garden center, river tours, wood furniture & crafts shop, printing shop, and several rental storage places.

Winter on the river is a great time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors as well as an interesting time to observe the species of wildlife using the National Scenic Byway Corridor. It is said that 60% of the migrating wildlife make their way along the Mississippi River from Canada to warmer southern climates, and back again in the spring. During this time, there is a peaceful quietness that comes over the river as many of the resident wildlife venture forth for your enjoyment. Everyday, whatever the season, is a new adventure in Cassville!

Plan to come and enjoy viewing the eagles during the annual "Cassville Eagle Days" held the last weekend of January. National Geographic Magazine lists Cassville as one of the top ten places in the nation to view these majestic birds! This charming village, overflowing with the earliest of Wisconsin history, has a population of 1085 people to greet you! Hope to see you soon!