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....

As the 2026 Winter Olympics finishes up its last days of competition, one of the fan favorites is ski Jumping ; one of the most thrilling winter sports, combining speed, skill, and courage that caught the interest of Lake Mills as early as 1916. But how did this daring sport come to be? The history of ski jumping reveals a fascinating journey from simple leaps on snowy hills to the high-flying spectacles we see today. Article from the Lake Mills Leader, January 13, 1916 A Brief History of...

Knickerbocker Ice House on the south shore of Rock Lake, Lake Mills, Wi Ice harvesting in the northern United States dates back to colonial times, when winter ice was stored for summer use to preserve meat and dairy products. By 1799, blocks of ice were being shipped commercially from New York City to Charleston, South Carolina. During the 1800s, this trade expanded rapidly into a major industry, with breweries and meat packers becoming the largest consumers. Early settlers in the Lake Mills...