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The Bicycling Capital of America
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Sparta |
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Sparta, the Bicycling Capital of America, hosts the
northern end of the nationally famous
Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, and the
eastern end of the La Crosse River State Bike Trail.
From May through October, Sparta is bustling with
tourists who visit for the expressed purpose of
riding the bike trails and rural roads.
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A moment on the trail |
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A break on the trail |
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Sparta is the home of the World's Largest Bike! This
spectacular high wheel exhibit is 30 feet in height and is made
mostly of fiberglass. A site to see and a great photo opportunity! |
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Camping at Red Rock Trails |
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As the nationally famous granddaddy of all bicycle
trails, the
Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail offers a 32 mile ride through
spectacular foliage and topography, and passes through three
massive cavernous tunnels, one of which is almost a mile in
length.
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Monroe County Courthouse |
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One of our dairy farms |
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To learn more about biking information and the trails
in the Sparta Area, visit
Additional information may be found at the
Sparta Chamber of Commerce website-
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Holiday in the Park |
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Golf Course |
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Sparta's annual Butterfest is held the second weekend
in June and provides a barrel full of family - oriented fun!
Highlights include the Miss Sparta Pageant, van and car show, fun
run, milking contest, quilt show, arts & crafts, flea market, live
entertainment, and the gigantic Butterfest Parade. Food,
entertainment and refreshment tents abound. |
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Fun at Butterfest |
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Evans-Bosshard Park |
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Visit The
Sparta Butterfest Website. When in the Sparta area, be sure and visit the
Deke Slayton
Memorial Space and Bike Museum and the
Local History Room. Donald "Deke" Slayton, originally from
the Sparta area, was one of the "Original 7" Mercury astronauts. |
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Deke Slayton |
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Museum Complex |
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The
Monroe County Local History Museum and Research Room is
located in downtown Sparta. Local citizens periodically display
their historical collections. The museum also has the permanent
display of the Monroe County Historical Society. |
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Barney Center |
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Museum Complex |
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Sparta's history dates back to 1849 when the first
settlers to make land claims in the area were the Pettit family.
In 1851, Mrs. Pettit, the mother of the first white settler, chose
the town's name, a possible tribute to the "Spartan Courage" of
its founders. Sparta was incorporated as a village in 1857 and
incorporated as a city in 1883. Sparta celebrated its
Sesquicentennial in 2001. |
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Sparta has the perfect combination of urban and rural
environments, providing the amenities people value most.
Residents enjoy a healthy and diverse economy, quality medical
care, excellent schools at all levels and the comfort and
convenience of a friendly, safe Midwestern city. The area boasts
clean air and water, plenty of indoor and outdoor recreation and
the beauty of nature in all four seasons. |
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Sparta Area Chamber of
Commerce
(608)269-4123
800-354-BIKE (2453) |
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Visitors to Sparta will be pleased to find a pleasant
combination of natural beauty, history and family recreation.
Make tracks to Sparta today - the Bicycling Capital of America! |
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www.bikesparta.com |
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