Dane County:

  Dane County Map  
  About Dane County - A good place to get a feel for the County's character, this site includes quick facts, township maps and links to city, village and township websites, multimedia presentations on the county, a helpful overview of Dane County government and special county wide enhancement programs, and further resources. 
  Dane County Goverment -  official county site with details on all government run services.  It includes the Dane County Directory, which lists contact information for all county government officials and all county municipalities (cities, villages, and townships.)
  Dane County Parks-  official site with an overview of county parks, lakes & recreational opportunities.
  Explore Dane County-  Brief listings of area attractions, businesses, services, etc.
 

  VERONA-  The City of Verona is the first community southwest of Madison along four lane HWY 18/151.  With a population of over 7000, residents enjoy all the benefits of being close to Madison, while retaining a rural atmosphere.  The Community calls itself "Hometown USA" in celebration of its hometown atmosphere.  Their "Hometown Days" held each June include a midway, parade, and hot air balloon rally.  For more information, visit the Verona Chamber of Commerce site and the City of Verona site. Click for the Verona Area School District.  See also the Township of Verona.

  MOUNT HOREB- The second community along HWY 18/151, located about 20 miles southwest of Madison.  My office is located in Mt. Horeb.  Click here for the Mt. Horeb Community page. 

  BLUE MOUNDS-  The small Village of Blue Mounds is located just west of Mt. Horeb, about 25 miles from Madison along HWY 18/151.  It is nestled at the feet of Blue Mound State Park, which was previously a sacred Native American gathering site.  It is the highest point in southcentral Wisconsin, at 1716 feet above sea level.  Conversely, many homes in a wide area around the park have great views of the Mounds.  The State Park includes observation posts and picnic areas from which you can see for miles on a clear day.  It is popular for hiking, swimming, camping, cross country skiing and mountain biking, making Blue Mounds a great community for nature lovers.  The Military Ridge Bike Trail also goes through the village (see below), and popular Brigham County Park, a great place for camping and watching the full moon rise, is nearby (see Dane County Parks).  The Village of Blue Mounds site has contact information for local government, village ordinances, tax and zoning information, and more.  Between Blue Mounds and Mt. Horeb is the Tyrol Ski Basin, the Cave of the Mounds, and Little Norway.  See Mt. Horeb Attractions for details.

Continue along HWY 18-151 past Blue Mounds into Iowa County, to the communities of Barneveld, Ridgeway, and Dodgeville. 

TOWN OF PERRY-  The Township of Perry is located in the southwestern most corner of Dane County.  Within the township is the small settlement of Daleyville, located less than 10 miles southwest of Mt. Horeb along HWY 78.  Daleyville has some less expensive housing options with fantastic country views that are located within the Mt. Horeb School District.  See the Township website for information on local flora and fauna, local history, news, maps, and township government happenings.  Also see the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society Pages of the Past for the history of the Town of Perry and Daleyville.

TOWN OF SPRINGDALE-  The Township of Springdale is located between the City of Verona and the eastern edge of the Village of Mt. Horeb.  Southeast of Mt. Horeb, along the picturesque HWY 92, is the small settlement of Mt. Vernon, another location for less expensive housing options that are located within the Mt. Horeb School District.  Donald County Park is located just outside Mt. Vernon, and offers 700 acres of woods, fields, and restored prairie; with trails for hiking, skiing, and horse back riding.  The park also includes three trout streams (Deer Creek, Frye Feeder & Mt. Vernon Creek).  See the Friends of Donald Park website for more information.  For historical information on the area, see the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society Pages of the Past.  Also see the Town of Springdale website.

  FITCHBURG-  Contiguous with the southwest side of Madison, Fitchburg became its own city in 1983 as a result of a Wisconsin State Supreme Court decision.  The Fitchburg real estate market is similiar to Madison's.  The City of Fitchburg's official website has information about its Irish history, its 624 acres of parks, its active Community and Recreational Center, local schools, and more.  The Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce site has more information on the community, including relocation information, maps, a calendar of events, a community newsletter, details on the many area bike trails that run through Fitchburg, information on parks and other attractions, and a listing of local businesses.  The city's Irish history is celebrated each year during Fitchburg Days, which includes activities such as Celtic music, a cultural tent, limmerick contests, ethnic food, fireworks, a carnival, and outdoor games.  Many other events are held at the Fitchburg Center, an evironmentally conscious, planned community development.

  OREGON-  The Village of Oregon is located just south of Fitchburg, about 11 miles from the center of Madison, along HWY 14.  With a population of over 8000, it is a friendly rural town, surrounded by farmland, that is a good choice for affordable housing options.  Its Chamber of Commerce has dubbed it the "Horse Capital of Wisconsin" because when it was established, the horse population outnumbered the human population.  The tradition continues today with a number of local horse farms and riding stables.  Other area recreational opportunities include golfing, an indoor swimming pool, over 25 parks, a sports arena, a Youth Center, and a Senior Center.  Annual events include the June Oregon Summer Fest, which includes a midway, marching band competition, sports tournaments, live entertainment, a craft fair, fireworks, and more; as well as the spooky Community Halloween Party, Spring Easter Egg Hunt, and Santa Days.  The official Village website includes FAQs for new residents.  The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce site offers more information on the area.  For information on local schools, see the Oregon School District.  

  BELLEVILLE-  A small and picturesque village southwest of Madison along HWY 69, nestled on the banks of Lake Belle View, that also offers more affordable housing options.  Belleville began in 1845 with the establishment of a sawmill on the lake and quickly grew into a village.  The Badger State Trail goes through the Village, and its natural resources are preserved in its 70+ acres of parks.  Enjoy Belleville's UFO Days, a festival commemorating a local UFO siting, as well as other annual events such as the Fall Festival and the Community Picnic, which began over 50 years ago.   The Chamber of Commerce website includes a calendar of events, community information, and a business directory.  Also see the official Village of Belleville site for more details.  The village straddles the boundary of both Dane and Green County.  With its short and easy commute to Madison (only 14 miles to the Beltline), Belleville is becoming more and more popular in the real estate market. 

  Military Ridge Bike Trail-  Part of the Nation's Rails to Trails program that transforms unused railroads into biking, walking, and recreation trails.  The Military Ridge Trail begins in Fitchburg and travels throughout southwest Dane County, connecting Fitchburg to Verona, to the very small communities of Riley and Klevenville, to Mt. Horeb and Blue Mounds, then travels into Iowa County through Barneveld, Ridgeway, and Dodgeville.  The trail covers 40 miles and is a great resource for exercise, enjoying the fresh air, and getting into the country.