From Glacial Origins to Community Park: The Story of Tyranena Park

Tyranena Park, Lake Mills, WI ~ At the head of Rock Lake lies a park often considered the lake’s crown jewel. Long before European settlement, Native Americans used portions of this land as camps along an east–west trail connecting Lake Michigan to the four lakes of Madison. This same trail is noted as part of the retreat route of Chief Blackhawk. While early white settlers largely bypassed the area in favor of level farmland, the land along the shoreline remained relatively untouched.

Today, Tyranena Park sits along this pristine stretch of Rock Lake. The park features four to five kettles formed within a glacial moraine. By 1839, the original Native trail had evolved into wagon tracks as settlers traveled west from Milwaukee to Madison, though footpaths along the lakeshore remained largely undisturbed.

Originally, a few acres of the land were purchased by Sam Lusted, who sold part of it to Ward Pulver by 1877. In 1881, Pulver sold the property to W.R. Harvey, a Lake Mills merchant interested in developing a public picnic ground—possibly explaining the leveled area at the northernmost part of the property. Soon after, Harvey sold the land to Dr. Dudley, who had married Marion Churchill, a local resident. In 1880, the Dudley’s had already acquired several acres of shoreline property just south of the Harvey parcel.

The Dudley’s were considered somewhat controversial figures for their time. Both were highly educated, and after constructing their two-story Dutch-style home, they hosted numerous educators and politicians for discussions and programs. Marion Dudley, founder of the Wisconsin Authors Club, was a strong advocate for women’s rights and spoke before the State Assembly on several occasions in support of women’s suffrage. Their home, named “Klosterheim,” featured large rooms and porches that offered sweeping, bow-shaped views of Rock Lake, creating an atmosphere of gracious living for their guests.

In 1888, Dr. Eugene Updike, an adjacent property owner, purchased the 13-acre parcel that would later become Tyranena Park from the Dudley’s. He expanded the estate in 1898 by acquiring an additional acreage surrounding the shoreline area. Updike also arranged for the Congregational Church of Madison to own several acres, part of a larger tract that extended between Old Highway B and Highway 89. Much later in 1939, the church sold some of this land to Jefferson County, which became part of a county park.

Dr. Updike built a small separate residence for the Dixon family, an African American family who assisted in managing the estate. The property became known as “Updike’s Grove,” although Updike retained the name “Klosterheim” for the main residence but added several cottages for visitors.

Dr. Eugene Updike was born in Ithaca, New York, on November 18, 1850. He graduated from Lawrence College, where he distinguished himself as both a student and an orator, and later from Garrett Institute of Evangelical Training in Evanston, Illinois. He served as a pastor in Montello, Lake Mills, Delavan, Racine, and Milwaukee, and ultimately spent 27 years as pastor of the Congregational Church in Madison. He married Clara Faville, daughter of Stephen Faville, a dairy industry leader, of Lake Mills.

For many years, Tyranena served as the Updikes’ summer home. They took great pride in the land and, through extensive travels, collected rare trees and shrubs that they planted throughout the property. The estate became widely admired for its beauty.

Dr. Updike, a Deacon Emeritus of the First Congregational Church of Madison, died in 1917. In his will, he bequeathed approximately 15 acres of land bordering Rock Lake to the City of Lake Mills for use as a public park, with the condition that it always be maintained as such under the name “Tyranena.” If the city failed to do so, the land would revert to his estate.

On September 5, 1918, the Common Council initially moved to withdraw acceptance of the gift to ensure that Mrs. Updike had sufficient financial support following her husband’s death. However she passed not long after her husband and circumstances changed. On May 15, 1919, the City of Lake Mills formally accepted the terms of Rev. Updike’s will, with Mayor Gericke casting the tie-breaking vote to establish Tyranena Park. The park was dedicated on July 4, 1919.

“Klosterheim” became the residence of the park’s first custodian, Dr. A.B. Bleeker, a veterinarian,  and his wife Mary of Waterloo, who lived there while allowing the public to use the porches and main living spaces for gatherings.

Over the years, many caretakers served the park as it became a popular destination for picnicking and swimming along its wooded shoreline. A boat livery and concessions were added, and by the 1920s, the city allowed camping with trailers and tents. A well was dug for water, and in 1926, a fieldstone gateway entrance was constructed through a successful fundraiser. In September 1932, a bronze plaque honoring the Updike’s’ gift was installed near the lake. A boat livery at the north end was approved but limited by the city to 25 boats, along with a canoe and a paddleboat, and bait was sold to fishermen.

In 1942, a ski jump was constructed on the lakeside slope, and a local ski club hosted tournaments for approximately eight years. During this time the park house was used as a winter sports center. Girl Scout day camps also made use of the grounds, helping to transplant a variety of wildflowers throughout the park.

Despite its popularity, increased use began to take a toll. Heavy foot traffic, camping, and frequent campfires led to soil compaction, erosion on steep gravel slopes, and damage to vegetation.

Over time, inconsistent oversight and ad hoc building modifications led to deterioration of the facilities. By 1977, the residential home stood vacant after civic groups pushed to close the tourist camp, and the city was unable to find new caretakers for Klosterheim.

A community effort was organized to restore the home, but it received little support from the City Council. By 1981, the structure was razed. Restoration had been estimated at $117,000 (approximately $535,000 today), but a referendum on April 7, 1981, failed by a vote of 556 to 353 sealing the Council’s decision.  Other costly city projects at the time—including restoration of the fire-damaged library (January 1980), wastewater treatment upgrades, a city well, and street repairs—likely influenced public opposition.

During this time of dissent among some members of the community, in February 1980, a proposal was introduced to abolish the two-year-old Parks Board, which had been formed to advise on park policies and usage. The Council cited vacancies and concerns that the board misunderstood its advisory role. By March, the Parks Board was dissolved, and the city proceeded with removing the park house, fireplaces, garage, and other structures south of the wooden fence. This action left many community members feeling cynical and alienated by the Council members.

Although the battle was lost to save Klosterheim, the community received valuable information that is still an asset and potential resource today. A University of Wisconsin study brought students to Lake Mills. They developed a detailed restoration plan of the park and building, including beautifully drawn maps, land-use capacity information, and recommendations for picnic areas, parking, vegetation restoration, trails, observation fencing, docks, and sanitation facilities. Their assessment documented existing features such as the natural kettles, swimming areas, and erosion-prone zones.

The students emphasized the park’s importance, stating:

“There are fewer and fewer such places where the community can go for relaxation and spiritual renewal. Tyranena Park is unique for its geological formation, historical significance, and beautiful location. It is a resource that could never be duplicated or replaced.”

Their report described Tyranena Park as a 12.3-acre woodland within the city limits, situated on a recessional moraine formed by the Wisconsin glacier approximately 10,000 years ago. The park features an oak forest across gravelly slopes, with a rich understory of spring flowers and summer shrubs.

The park contains four to five kettles and offers a unique combination of woodland and lakeshore scenery. It provides opportunities for passive recreation, nature study, and education in ecology, biology, botany, geology, and geography.

A survey of the park’s trees identified Douglas fir, larch, white spruce, sugar maple, basswood, red and white pine, shagbark hickory, box elder, birch, ironwood, black cherry, red and white cedar, cottonwood, and multiple oak species, including red, white, black, and bur oak.

Following the removal of structures, a playground and upper parking area were added, while much of the woodland gradually returned to a more natural state under the care of the City Parks Department. In 1983, Russell Wagner, a retired botany professor, took responsibility for overseeing the trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The park was maintained for several years by the Friends of Tyranena Park, who, along with local scouts, created educational signage identifying tree species and nature trails. The City has since maintained the park as a woodland recreational area and in recent years prevented further erosion by prohibiting mountain bike trails from being developed within the park but rather supported the trails development within the Jefferson County Park nearby.

(resources: A History of Lake Mills by Mary Wilson and People Places and Things by Dr. Roland Liebenow and various archives of LMAHS)