CROSS PLAINS-  The first community northwest of Madison, 12 miles along HWY 14, the friendly Village of Cross Plains is home to more than 3000 people, who enjoy the small town atmosphere and the proximity to the business and recreational opportunities in Madison.  "Famous for its Friendliness," Cross Plains began as three villages located near two military roads, and were incorporated into one village by 1920.  Now the village offers quality education, numerous athletic activities, beautiful parks, and a World Fair held annually each June.  See the official Village Website for more information.  The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District has information on local schools.  See also the Township of Cross Plains website.

  BLACK EARTH-  Located 5 miles west of Cross Plains and 17 miles from Madison along HWY 14, the Village of Black Earth has a population of over 1300.  It is named for the rich, black river bottom soil of the surrounding farmlands.  The first European settlers in the area were members of the British Temperance Emigration Society, who settled in the valley in 1843 and were later followed by Norwegian and Irish immigrants.  Recreation has always had a special role in the Village, where Home Talent baseball has been played since the 1930s.  Trout fishing in Black Earth Creek has been a tradition since the 1890s.  Several annual festivals have been held since before 1900.  A more recent inclusion is the annual Duck Days, which includes a huge craft sale, community wide garage sales, and a race of plastic ducks down a section of the Black Earth Creek.  One local store, the Shoe Box  is very well known for its customer service.  It is one of the largest shoe stores in the US, and is still independently owned.  With over 200,000 pairs of shoes in stock, it draws shoppers from all around the area, including many who make yearly pilgrimages from hours away.  For more information about the Village, see the Black Earth Chamber of Commerce site, which includes information on local businesses, services, and events.  The Black Earth Village official website has more information. 

  MAZOMANIE-  Mazomanie is located along Black Earth Creek, nestled against the beautiful Wisconsin River Valley bluffs.  It began as a railroad village, and now has a population of over 1500.  It is 5 miles west of Black Earth and 22 miles from Madison, along HWY 14.  It is known for its natural beauty, its historic flavor, and its local arts community.  The historic downtown has undergone major revitalization, and has 34 structures on the National Register of Historic Places.  More than 18 building restoration projects are being undertaken, with buildings becoming specialty and boutique shops and restaurants, such as The Old Feed Mill, a well known restaurant housed in an authentically preserved stone feed mill that has been reviewed as "one of the most delightful dining spots in all of southern Wisconsin."  Halle's Vintage Shop and the Whistle Stop Cafe are also in restored buildings.  The Mazomanie Historic Art Center is part of the area revitilization, and houses local artists.  The Mazomanie Movement Arts Center offers classes in a variety of dance, movement, and musical forms, emphasizing fitness, stress reduction, creativity, and fun.  Check out their Circus Camps for kids, featuring trapeze, juggling, stiltwalking, pantomine, and more.  The Village of Mazomanie website has information on local businesses and local government, schools, and events.  Click for information on the Township of Mazomanie.

  Wisconsin Heights School District-  See this site for information on schools for Black Earth and Mazomanie.

  TOWN OF VERMONT- The Township of Vermont is located between the Villages of Mt. Horeb and Black Earth.  It is a lovely natural area with rural roads snaking through small valleys among rolling, wooded hills.  It is an area for higher end rural properties that are still within an easy commute of Madison.  The southern part of the township is in the Mt. Horeb School District, and the northern part is in Wisconsin Heights.  See the Township Website for more details.

  WAUNAKEE-  is 15 minutes north of Madison.  Its name is a Native American word meaning "the fair and pleasant valley," and it is the only Waunakee in the world.  With a population of around 8500, it provides hometown warmth, educational excellence, and bountiful recreation.  The Village began in the late 1800s with the building of a railroad line that linked Madison with the Mississippi River.  An early railroad depot has been restored and visitors can see model railroad displays there.  The Village of Waunakee site includes information on local recreational activities, events, maps, schools, local parks, the Senior Center, and more.  The Waunakee/Westport Chamber of Commerce site has more information on area history, businesses, community events, and more.  Waunakee is in the Township of Westport, which borders the Yahara River and Lake Mendota, where some beautiful lake homes and condos can be found.  The Township website has information on local ordinances, town parks, voter registration, recycling guidelines, etc.


Properties Available in Northwest Dane County:

For information on current property listings in Middleton, Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie, Waunkakee and other communities in Northwest Dane County, you can fill out my Property Finder form or email me a request and I will send you a personalized list of available homes matching your criteria.  You can also click to search the MLS yourself for property listings.